Maine. Ephemera concerning fund raising events for the conversion of the S.S "Maine" to a hospital ship, comprising a printed letter on "American Hospital Ship Fund for South Africa, 35A Great Cumberland Place, W" notepaper, the imitation handwritten letter asking the addressee to allow their name to be placed on the General Committee for the purpose of helping to get subscriptions, printed signatures include Lady Churchill; 1900 (Mar 22) Programme for a Grand Gala at the Metropolitan Opera House, the cover depicting the ship with embossed Red Cross, British and U.S flags, and "American Hospital Ship, American & English Red Cross", the crest of the "Maine" embossed on the second page; 1900 (July 16) menu for a dinner at the Savoy Hotel, the cover with embossed British and U.S flags over "American Hospital Ship Maine", signed inside by Joseph Choate (U.S Ambassador to G.B) and C. Blackburn-Tew; and 1900 (Nov 18) 35 page Souvenir Programme of the Concert at Claridges Hotel to raise funds for the American Hospital Ship. An interesting and scarce group, the last apparently unrecorded in "South African War Books" by Hackett. (4).

France. Notre-Dame de Salut. 1900 (Sep 18) Stampless cover with superb printed "Nef de Notre-Dame de Salut" printed flap depicting the ship, sent to France with "CORPS EXP. TONKIN / LIGNE N.3" c.d.s and "CORPS EXPEDITIONNAIRE DE CHINA" cachet. Also photographs (3) and a picture postcard of the ship. (5).

Germany. Gera. 1900-01 Postcards posted on the "Gera" with "KAIS. DEUTSCHE / MARINE / SCHIFFSPOST / No. 6" c.d.s, all to Germany, comprising stampless card depicting the departure of the ship with printed new year greetings written from Taku; postcard to the ship with a China 1c cancelled at Shanghai, Tongku and KDMS No. 6 datestamps; and a 5pf postcard with a pencil drawing of the ship on reverse, all fine. (3).

Gera. 1900-01 Picture postcards of the "Gera" including inspection by the Empress (4), views of the ship (2, one with additional greetings printed on the ship), and a coloured card cut from a menu, also a Japanese card from the ship (tape stains), three cards posted from Kobe or Taku (2) with "KAIS. DEUTSCHE / MARINE / SCHIFFSPOST / No. 6" c.d.s, another stampless card addressed to S.S "Neckar", a steam transport sailing for China. (8).

Wittekind / "Hansa". 1900-01 Japanese 4s postal stationery postcard with a view of the Pagoda at Nikko, posted on S.S "Wittekind" at Nagasaki, with "KAIS DEUTSCHE / MARINE / SCHIFFSPOST / No. 12" datestamps, and a fine coloured postcard depicting the departure of the "Wittekind" for China. Also a 1910 card of the ship "Hansa" with red overprint commemorating exercises with the Volunteer Nurses Association of Hamburg, signed by 13 nurses, posted from Hamburg. (3).

France. Morocco - Rif Insurrection. 1925-26 Stampless postcards with Casablanca or Marseille Paquebot datestamps and violet "Navire Hopital "CIRCASSIE"", or with Algiers c.d.s and violet circular "NAVIRE-HOPITAL / Medecin-Chef / "CAROLINE"", all with "MARINE FRANCAISE / SERVICE A LA MER". Also stampless military lettercard from Casablanca notifying a soldiers evacuation from hospital in Casablanca to Toulon with violet "Evacue sur le Navire / Hopital "Circassie"", and five cards of the "Circassie". Address erased on the Marseille Paquebot card, otherwise fine and scarce. (9).

Sino-Japanese War. 1937-40 Covers, cards and a telegram, comprising cover posted at Ujina franked 4sn with enclosed letter from the "Baikaru Maru" and a telegram sent from the "Baikaru Maru" at Shanghai to Tokyo; stampless military lettercard from a soldier on the "Taizan Maru""; and stampless military postcards from nurses on the "Seattle Maru" or "Mizuho Maru", the stampless items with Military Mail and censor cachets. Also a Japanese Red Cross Society card of the "Baikal Maru". (6).

Sino-Japanese War. c.1937-40 Stampless covers (3, letters enclosed) and postcards (4) written by nurses on unnamed hospital ships, all with Military Mail and censor cachets, two written from China with scarce Nakahara Unit censor cachets, one letter written from the Yangtze River, one card sent shortly after departing Dairen. Also Japanese Red Cross Society postcards depicting unnamed hospital ships and officials of the society (2), and a postcard of the civilian hospital ship "Jiai Maru". (10).

Japan. Dairen Maru. 1904-05 Stampless picture postcards (3) and a field service postcard, three from medical staff on the hospital ship (one from Dairen with F.P.O 1, 3rd Army c.d.s), the other card from a soldier in Manchuria to a Doctor on the hospital ship with F.P.O 6, 4th Army c.d.s from Sujiatung, the letter describing the Battle of Mukden. (4).

Kobe Maru. 1904-06 Stampless picture postcards (3, one a military issue card depicting pioneers building a bridge, another depicting the hospital ship), a cover, and a forces postcard with a watercolour picture on the reverse painted by the sender, all from the hospital ship, datestamps include Naval Postal Agency No. 1 or No. 4 and Warship P.O No. 14 applied on S.S "Seoul Maru". Also a 1½sn postcard to Kure Naval Hospital with five tissue paper forwarding slips attached, one to the "Kobe Maru". (6). Photo on Page 12. (Image1)

1904-05 1½sn Postal stationery postcards (2), picture postcards franked 1½sn (4) and a scarce official military postcard issued by the Post & Telegram Ministry, the last from an army nurse at 1st Field Hospital, 3rd Division, to a nurse on the "Awa Maru" with F.P.O No. 9, 2nd Army c.d.s (Gaomingtao, Manchuria), one card from a wounded officer in Hiroshima Reserve Hospital reporting his arrival on the "Rosetta Maru", and two cards from Japan to the "Rohilla Maru" or "Toei-Maru", three other cards written from the "Hakuai Maru" at Ujina, or the "Ohmi Maru" at Aomori or Ujina, an interesting group. (7).

Great Britain. Ceres. 1797-98 Letters written by Thomas Camm from the Hospital Ship "Ceres" near Portsmouth, addressed to his brother John at Kingstanly, Gloucestershire, with differing Portsmouth handstamps and London Bishop Marks. The 1797 (Nov 4) letter includes "I have been in England near five weeks. I left America with a view to going to the West Indies, to make merchandise with my money, but we were unfortunately cast away on the Florida Shore, eleven of our crew perished and also nine of the passengers, but we were so happy to be saved from the waves by a small vessel and taken into Florida. Here began a most horrid scene of poverty, my property all being lost ..... I with another unhappy sufferer were pressed & sent on board one of His Majestys ships of war bound for England, when we arrived at Spithead we were both taken ill with a fever & removed on board a Hospital Ship in a most digested state. Under apprehensions of being discovered, for my own preservation I now go by the name of Joseph Hagget. You will know my life is at stake here dear brother. ..... This is a private letter I have sent you unknown to the Officers. We are kept very strict here on account of the late mutiny, our officers inspect all letters which come here". The 1798 (Jan 4) letter asks for a parcel containing an old coat, waistcoat and shirt, six guineas to be concealed under the buttonholes of the coat, a few loose shillings in paper to be included to prevent further examination. Both letters ask for mail to be directed to Jos. Hagget on the Ceres Hospital Ship, to be left at 111 Queen St., Portsea. A remarkable pair of letters from a press-ganged sailor previously shipwrecked off Florida, sent from the naval hospital ship during the French Revolutionary Wars. (2).

Hamadryad/"Maine". 1897 Printed card headed "H.M.S HAMADRYAD", completed by the medical superintendent, stating "J. Gori, sailor of the Italian vessel Olivari is admitted as an in patient and is unable to perform his duties in consequence of venereal disease", with a card of the Hospital Ship at Cardiff; and 1903-13 picture postcards depicting the ship "Maine", crew or patients (5), three written on the ship and posted from Spain (2) or Ireland. The "Maine" served during the Boer War and Boxer Rebellion, and was then donated to the Royal Navy in 1901. (7).

Karoola. 1916-19 Stampless covers, three to Australia all with violet oval "No. 1 AUSTRALIAN HOSPITAL SHIP / "KAROOLA"" (two dated, one undated with additional "PASSED BY CENSOR"), and a cover to London posted from A.P.O SZ22 at Port Said on the final voyage of the ship with very scarce green circular "PASSED BY SHIP'S CENSOR / A.H.S. / "KAROOLA"", also three cards of the ship. One 1916 cover with edge faults, otherwise fine, a good lot. (7). Photo on Page 28. (Image1)

Karoola. 1915 Cover to Canada with green oval "No. 1 AUSTRALIAN HOSPITAL SHIP / 12 NOV 1915 / "KAROOLA"", redirected at Winnipeg with 1c and 2c stamps applied, the 2c stamp over the cachet, therefore carefully lifted and hinged in place. Also a stampless picture postcard of the ship to Australia with "PASSED BY CENSOR". (2). Photo on Page 28. (Image1)

Warilda. 1916-17 Stampless postcards posted from the ship (4, three depicting the hospital ship), three cards from Alexandria, A.P.O SZ7 at Malta or A.P.O 1 at Le Havre all with violet oval "H.M.A.S / No ... / Date ... / "WARILDA"", another card with "RECEIVED FROM H.M SHIP / NO CHARGE TO BE RAISED". Also a further five cards of the ship, one posted by a soldier at Liverpool with ½d charge mark, and a card of the "Wandilla". (10).

Africa / "Miramar". 1914-17 Stampless cards, two from the "Africa" (H.S No 10) with "Spitalschiff der / Dampfer X" and F.P.O 267 of Cattaro, or violet "K.u.K SPITALSCHIFF No. X" and F.P.O 347 located in Romania, card from the Ministry of War in Vienna to the H.S "Africa" at Pola, and field service card with violet circular "K.u.K Kriegsmarine / S.M.S "Miramar" and Pola F.P.O c.d.s. (4).

Canada. Letitia. 1917 Printed "Donaldson Line" envelope to Canada with violet oval "H.M HOSPITAL SHIP / No ... / Date ... / "LETITIA"", a 2c stamp applied at Halifax over the central portion of the cachet. Also a photographic card of the ship wrecked on the rocks at Portuguese Cove near Halifax. The former Indian hospital ship was transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps in March 1917; she competed four round trips from Liverpool to Halifax before running aground near Halifax on her fifth trip. A fine and scarce cover. (2). Photo on Page 28. (Image1)

Doukkala. 1914-17 Stampless postcards with red circular "SOCIETE FRANCAISE DE SECOURS AUX BLESSES MILITAIRES / VAP. DOUKKALA / L'Administrateur / Annexe de l'Hopital Auxiliaire / MARSEILLE" (3) or violet "Transport Auxiliaire / DOUKKALA", the last with British army censor and "PAQUEBOT" of Valletta. Also two postcards of the ship. (6).

Charles Roux. 1919-16 Stampless covers (2, one with printed heading "Societe Francaise de Secours aux Blesses Militaires") and postcards (4) with violet "HOPITAL CHIRURGICAL FLOTTANT / DU C.E.O" (5, used whilst the ship was at Mudros during the Gallipoli campaign) or "HOPITAL CHIRURGICAL FLOTTANT", cancels include TeP 502 or 194 of Salonica, Les Moreaux or Marseille, one card to a P.O.W in Germany. Also two cards of the ship, one written on board but sent under cover with violet "CHARLES-ROUX", two unused cards depicting British officers on the ship with circular "AMBULANCE ANGLO-FRANCAISE / MARSEILLE"; and a scarce complete French Red Cross Society booklet "Expedition Des Dardanelles" with a coloured illustration of the "Charles-Roux" on the front, containing twenty Red Cross labels sold for 1f. (11). Photo on Page 32. (Image1)

Duguay-Trouin. 1915-18 Stampless cover and postcards (5) posted on the ship, with red circular "NAVIRE HOPITAL / Duguay-Trouin" containing a Red Cross (3) or circular "DUGUAY-TROUIN / FRANCHISE MILITAIRE" (3), one with "MARINE FRANCAISE / SERVICE A LA MER", three posted at Toulon, one from Tunisia, one with Poste Navale 1 c.d.s of Mudros. Also five cards of the ship. (11).

1914-19 Covers and cards from, depicting or relating to various French hospital ships, comprising "Amiral Magon" (5), "Ariadne" (4), "Divona" (8, one postcard of Corfu with ship's cachet), "La Bretagne" (4, one cover with fine "NAVIRE HOPITAL MILITARE / La BRETAGNE / Commandant"), "La Gascogne" (2, card and front with blue "18e REGION DE CORPS D'ARMEE / SERVICE DE SANTE / Navire-hopital "La Gascogne""), "Sphinx" (card of the ship with boxed "Navire-Hopital "SPHINX" / HOPITAL"), "Tchad" (3, one with circular "MARINE NATIONALE / Navire-Hopital "TCHAD" / SERVICE DE SANTE"), "Timgad" (very scarce card from the Dardanelles with straight line "NAVIRE HOPITAL TIMGAD"), "Vinh Long" (10, four with "Transport "VINH-LONG"", three sent under cover), and 1917 postcard from Salonica showing Sisters of Charity acting as nurses on a hospital ship. (39).

Ambulance Barges. 1914-17 Covers and cards with two fine real Photo cards of nurses on barges, both with circular "UNION DES FEMMES DE FRANCE / PENICHES / AMBULANCES / CROIX ROUGE FRANCAISE", sent under cover; cards of ambulance barges (5) or wounded soldiers awaiting evacuation on ambulance steamboats (4); cards with circular cachets "SERVICE des EVACUATIONS FLUVIALES / H.O.E 10 / Le Median-Chef", "GROUPEMENT DES PENICHES SANITAIRES" or "HOPITAL AUX re No 114 PENICHES AMBULANCES / UNION DES FEMMES DE FRANCE / SECRETARIAT", etc. (16).

Scharnhorst. c.1915 Stampless cover and card, and a card franked 10pf to Spain, probably from one of the neutral (Spanish) observers on the ship, all with violet circular "Kaiserliche Marine / Briefstempel / Marine Lazarettschiff "Scharnhorst"", the cover with additional "Lazarettschiff A" cachet. Also a postcard of the hospital ship. "Scharnhorst only served as a hospital ship from August 1914 until February 1915. (4). Photo on Page 32. (Image1)

Sierra Ventana. 1914-16 Stampless covers and cards, two with circular violet "Kaiserliche Marine / BRIEFSTEMPEL / Lazarettschiff "E"" (one also with two line "Lazarettschiff "E" / B. Nr" on a turned cover originally from S.M.S "Wurttemberg" to the ship), four others from the ship with K.D.M.S No 187 or No 188 (3) c.d.s, and a card from Niefern to the ship. Also four cards depicting the ship, officers ward room or the transfer of walking wounded to the shore. (11).