Pretoria Officer's Camps. 1900 Boer passports authorising travel to Colenso or Glencoe bearing the two types of dated "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachets that were also used as censor marks on P.O.W mail. Also a stampless front to London sent by Captain Fletcher (captured Stormberg December 10th) with Pretoria c.d.s and the first type Commandant Generaal cachet dated "10 JAN. 1900", and a piece from a cover apparently addressed to Lt. Best with Pretoria c.d.s and a fine strike of the rare second type cachet (smaller lettering and stars either side of the arms) dated "15 MRT 1900". (4). Photo on Page 58. (Image1)

1899 (Nov 4) Stampless cover to Col. Hill in Kent, probably from Lt. W. Hill 1st Gloucester Regt (captured at Nicholsons Nek October 30th) with two strikes of the dated "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet unusually in black, signed M.T Stiemans, arrival backstamp (Dec 9). Light vertical fold, otherwise superb, the earliest recorded use of this cachet and very scarce from the camp at The Racecourse. Photo on Page 58. (Image1)

1899-1900 Covers endorsed from Major S. Humphery, 1st Gloucester Regt (captured at Nicholsons Nek, October 30th) all addressed to India, the first two stampless both with a Pretoria c.d.s and the "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet in violet dated "8 DEC 1899" (very minor edge faults) or "30 DEC 1899", the third cover from the camp at Daspoort, franked 2½d tied Pretoria c.d.s (Apr 30) with violet boxed "GEZIEN / POSTCENSOR / PRETORIA / Z.A.R". The 30 December 1899 cover redirected from Calcutta to Gangtak, Sikkim, backstamped at Ghum and Gantak, the final cover to Gangtak and redirected to Darjeeling with Ghum and Aden backstamps. A largely fine trio to an unusual destination, the first two early cover from the camp at The Racecourse. (3). Photo on Page 58. (Image1)

1900 Stampless covers from Major Nugent, 1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps (wounded and captured at Dundee, October 23rd) sent from the Bourke Hospital in Pretoria to England, both with manuscript "G", Pretoria c.d.s and violet "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachets dated "30 JAN 1900" or "3 Feb 1900". Both covers despatched in the same mail with violet triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR" and datestamps of Durban (Feb 7), Southampton Packet Letter (Mar 2) and Wimborne. A fine and scarce pair from the Bourke Hospital. (2). Photo on Page 64. (Image1)

1899-1900 Stampless cover and front from Capt. H.H Northey, 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers (captured at Colenso, December 15th) to his wife in Wynberg both with a Pretoria c.d.s and dated "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet, the front from the camp at The Racecourse with the cachet dated "2 DEC 1899" unusually in black and signed "M.T Stiemens"; the cover from the Staats Model School with manuscript "G" and violet cachet dated "3 FEB 1900", endorsed "From Capt H.H Northey R.S.F, Prisoner of War", flap missing but otherwise fine with various datestamps and triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR". (2).

1899 (Dec 27) Stampless cover to England endorsed "From Major Wallace, Gloster Regt Pretoria" with Pretoria c.d.s and violet dated "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet (initialled by the censor), Durban (Jan 8) and red London Paid (Feb 2) datestamps, a little light staining. Wallace was captured at Nicholsons Nek on October 30th. An early cover from the camp at The Racecourse.

1900 (Jan 11) Stampless cover to Scotland endorsed "From Lt. Majendie, Prisoner of War, Pretoria" with manuscript "G", Pretoria c.d.s. and violet dated "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet, Durban (Feb 3) and London Paid datestamps and violet triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR". Lt. Majendie, 1st Kings Royal Rifles, was captured at Dundee on October 20th. A good cover probably from the Staats Model School.

1900 (Jan 11) Stampless cover probably from the Staats Model School, to France with manuscript "G", violet dated "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet and datestamps of Pretoria, Paris (Feb 21) and Marseille. Two vertical folds and flap missing but an unusual destination, delivered without charge in France.

1900 Covers from Major Munn, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers (captured at Nicholsons Nek, October 30th) to England, the first a stampless cover probably from the Staats Model School with violet "18 JAN 1900 / COMMANDANT GENERAAL", datestamps of Pretoria, Durban (Feb 3) and London, and violet triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR"; the second cover from the camp at Daspoort endorsed "From Major Munn, 1st R. Ir. Fus., Prisoner of War, Pretoria" franked 2½d tied by Pretoria c.d.s (Mar 30), backstamped at Lourenco Marques (Apr 3) and Reading. Two largely fine covers, both with manuscript "G". (2).

1900 Covers from Major N. Foster, Royal Field Artillery (captured at Colenso, December 15th) to England, the first two stampless covers probably from the Staats Model School with violet "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachets dated "18 JAN 1900" or "24 JAN 1900", datestamps of Pretoria, Durban (Feb 3) and London Paid (Mar 2) and violet triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR"; the other cover from the camp at Daspoort franked 2½d tied by Pretoria c.d.s with blue circular "GEZIEN / 26 APR 1900 / CENSOR". The first cover fine, endorsed from Foster, the second cover with edge staining, the third cover with small stain and minor opening faults though still attractive. (3).

1900 (Feb 2) Stampless cover from the Staats Model School to Ireland endorsed "from Capt Conner 1st Gloster Regt" with violet dated "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet initialled by the censor, datestamps of Pretoria, Durban (Feb 7) and London Paid (Mar 2) and violet triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR". Capt. Connor was captured at Nicholson Nek on October 30th. A fine cover.

1900 Stampless cover endorsed "From Lieut Col. Hunt, Prisoner of War, Pretoria" to "Lieut Col. F. Hall, R.F.A. Comg Divisional Artillery, General Lord Methuen's Force, South African Field Force, Modder River" with Pretoria and Cape Town (Mar 8) c.d.s and violet "6 FEB 1900 / COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet; and a cover from Pietermaritzburg (Mar 28) franked 2½d to "Lt. Col Hunt, Royal Artillery, Prisoner at Pretoria" and endorsed "To Press Censor per American Consul, R.H Martin, Comdt P.M.Burg" with blue triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR", violet oval "CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE S.A.R / PRETORIA" and circular "GEZIEN / 20 APR 1900 / CENSOR". Hunt was wounded and captured at Colenso on December 15th; he was the Senior British Officer in Pretoria. The first cover with various faults, the second with flap missing and reverse slightly trimmed but otherwise fine and very attractive. (2). Photo on Page 64. (Image1)

1900 Stampless covers from W.A Genllond, sub-Inspector in the Cape Mounted Police (captured at Griquatown on November 17th) to London, one endorsed "Prisoner of War" and bearing a British type 1D censor seal applied at Durban, but without any other markings (privately carried or sent within another envelope?); the other with manuscript "G", violet "6 FEB 1900 / COMMANDANT GENERAAL" and triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR", datestamps of Pretoria, Durban (Feb 23) and Southampton Paid (Mar 25), both with a little edge staining but an unusual pair from the Staats Model School. Also a 1900 (July 7) Cape 1d postcard sent after his release from Kimberley. (3).

1900 Covers and cards comprising stampless cover to London with manuscript "G", violet "7 FEB 1900 / COMMANDANT GENERAAL" and triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR", Pretoria, Durban and London datestamps; a letter written from Pretoria (Mar 7) by Lt. Wheeler Royal Garrison Artillery (captured Nicholsons Nek, October 30th) partially deleted by the censor; and picture postcards (9) all showing British prisoners. (11).

1900 (Feb 22) Stampless cover to England endorsed "From W. J Ricardo, Capt. R.H Gds, prisoner of war, Pretoria" (captured at Rensburg, January 7th) with violet dated "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" cachet and datestamps of Pretoria and London Paid (Mar 29), redirected to Italy with G.B ½d + 1d applied at Richmond (treated as though 1d was paid from South Africa, therefore only 1½d needed to make up the foreign letter rate), a few minor faults though very unusual. Photo on Page 64. (Image1)

1900 Covers from or to (4) Major Walter, 2nd Devonshire Regt (captured at Colenso, December 15th), the cover from Walter sent from Daspoort to "Captain M.H Grant, 2nd Devonshire Regt, Natal Field Force" franked 2½d with blue circular "GEZIEN / 25 APR 1900 / CENSOR" and violet triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR"; three covers from G.B (Jan 26 - Mar 9) franked 2½d to Pretoria, one with violet oval "CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE S.A.R / PRETORIA" and blue circular "GEZIEN / 11 APR 1900 / CENSOR", one with Boer type 3 censor seal tied by Pretoria c.d.s (Apr 18), the other with manuscript "G"; and a stampless cover to Walter with the U.S Consulate Pretoria cachet in violet, received after his release and redirected to "Comd Detachment Irene" with an Army P.O c.d.s. A fine group. (5). Photo on Page 64. (Image1)

1900 Covers endorsed "From Major Carleton, Prisoner of War" franked 2½d, one to Ireland with Boer type 3 censor label tied by Pretoria c.d.s (Apr 2), the other addressed to "Major Barton, 2nd Bn Royal Lancasters, Natal" redirected to England and then to Germany with G.B ½d + 1d pair applied but not cancelled, violet boxed "GEZIEN / POSTCENSOR / PRETORIA / Z.A.R" and triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR", backstamped at Lourenco Marques (May 23), F.P.O 1 (May 31), Havant and Hamburg, unusual. Major Carleton, 2nd Kings Own Royal Irish Rifles was captured at Spion Kop on January 24th. (2).

1900 Covers from (2) or to (2) Lt. G. Smyth Osborne, 2nd Devonshire Regt (captured at Colenso, December 15th), the two covers from Daspoort both endorsed by Osborne and franked 2½d tied by Pretoria c.d.s (May 13) or pen cancelled (London Paid c.d.s of June 2 alongside) both with violet boxed "GEZIEN / POSTCENSOR / PRETORIA / Z.A.R". The covers to Osborne sent from France franked 25c with Boer type 3 censor seal tied Pretoria c.d.s (Mar 28), or from G.B franked 2½d with violet oval "CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE S.A.R / PRETORIA" and circular "GEZIEN / 22 APR 1900 / CENSOR". One cover with opening tear to one corner, otherwise fine. (4).

1900 Covers from Great Britain to Major O.S Nugent (wounded and captured at Dundee, October 23rd, initially held in the Bourke Hospital - see lot 307) in Pretoria, franked 2d or 2½d (one with pen cancelled stamps, two with Wimborne skeleton datestamps), the covers addressed directly to Nugent (2, one to S.A.F.F and redirected to Pretoria), c/o "The Secretary of War" (3) or "Dr Gunning, Censor" (2). Four covers were received in the camp, three bearing violet oval "CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE S.A.R / PRETORIA" (dated below APR 26, APR 28 or MAY 26), two also bearing violet circular "GEZIEN / 2 MEI 1900 / CENSOR" (one directed to "Bourke"), the other with boxed "GEZIEN / POSTCENSOR / PRETORIA / Z.A.R". The other three covers received after his release and redirected to London, one bearing the rare red cachet "PRISONER OF WAR / PRETORIA" (believed to have been used on the top cover of a bundle only). Also a 1901 postcard from Bethulie to Dr Gunning in Pretoria. A fine lot. (8). Photo on Page 64. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image1)

1900 (Apr 9) Stampless cover to Cape Colony with the second type "COMMANDANT GENERAAL" dated cachet (with smaller lettering and stars either side of the arms) partly overstruck by a Pretoria c.d.s, violet triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR", backstamped at Lourenco Marques, Durban and Worcester. Central vertical fold and small faults at upper edge but rare, very few examples of this censor cachet recorded. Photo on Page 64. (Image1)

1900 Covers franked 2½d to England (4) or Cape Colony, all cancelled at Pretoria with circular dated "GEZIEN / CENSOR" in blue (2, dated 10 APR or 23 APR) or violet (25 APR), or violet boxed "GEZIEN / POSTCENSOR / PRETORIA / Z.A.R" (May 7), another endorsed "From a Prisoner of War, Pretoria" simply with manuscript "G", mainly fine. (5).

1900 Covers to Natal with circular "GEZIEN / 24 APR 1900 / CENSOR" in violet or blue, one franked 2½d, the other endorsed "From Prisoner of War" and sent unstamped, both with violet triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR" and Natal backstamps of May 8, one to "The Camp, Fort Napier" also with F.P.O 2 (May 9) backstamp. A good pair posted on the same day, the stampless cover with light folds but very unusual. (2).

1899 (Nov 23) Cover franked 2d from G.B to "Major Wickham, Asst. to Director for Transport, Field Force, South Africa" redirected to Kimberley and then Pretoria, with red triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR", violet oval "CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE S.A.R / PRETORIA" and circular "GEZIEN / 1 APR 1900 / CENSOR". Despite this cover being forwarded to the P.O.W Camp at Pretoria Wickham does not appear to have ever been captured by the Boers.

1900 Covers to Captain Hamilton Bell, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, the first franked 1d from Ireland to South Africa Field Force and directed to "Prisoner of War, Pretoria" with overlapping red Press Censor, violet U.S Consulate Pretoria cachet and circular "GEZIEN / 15 APR 1900 / CENSOR"; the second franked 2½d from London to Pretoria with Boer type 3 censor seal tied by a Pretoria c.d.s (Apr 18), both covers then redirected to Cox & Co in London. Bell was wounded and captured at Stormberg on December 12th, and was presumably detained in The Racecourse or Bourke Hospital (his name not amongst those officers detained at the main Officer's Camp); he had clearly been released prior to April 15th, presumably due to his wounds. (2).

1900 Covers to England franked at the 2½d rate (3, one unusually with ½d + 1d pair) or at the 5d rate (with 2½d pair), sent by 2nd Lt. R. Jendwine or C. Kinahan of the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers (both captured at Nicholsons Nek on October 30th), Lt. G. Butler, Royal Artillery (captured at Colenso, December 15th) or Capt. W. McWhinnie, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles (captured at Mosars Kop, April 4th) with violet circular "GEZIEN / CENSOR" (2, dated 7 APR or 24 APR) or boxed "GEZIEN / POSTCENSOR / PRETORIA / Z.A.R" (2), all fine. (4).