1755 (Oct 18) Entire letter from a British merchant in Saffi written and addressed in French, to Pierre Honore in Marseille, the address panel endorsed "by Post", actually privately carried. The letter concerns a shipment of waxes being sent on the sailing boat "Le Sacre Coeur de Jesus" commanded by Thomas Gramary, and expresses concern about the delivery of goods in case war is declared between France and England. A fine early letter.

1801 (June 2) Entire letter from William Court & Co in Mogador, addressed to Newton, Gordon & Murdoch in Madeira. The letter, written in English, includes "we profit of the return of a Portuguese Brig to your island to inform you of the state of things here, the exportation of grain is only allowed on paying the duties in gunpowder .... terms are such we cannot recommend Mr Hayward to land it ..... we can ship salt beef from here". Address panel a little stained at right, otherwise a good early letter from an English merchant, privately carried by a Portuguese ship.

1840 (June 8) Entire letter from Enrico Vollan in Tangier written and addressed in Italian, to the Sardinian Vice-Consul Mr Bordar. Vollan asks for the loan of a detailed map of Africa so that he can show the Consul where the fort recently built by the Emir Abd el Kader is located. An unusual early letter sent within Tangier.

Gibraltar. 1820 (Aug 30) Long letter from Rabat written in Italian on behalf of the merchant Sidi Haggi Alabas Bouhalel who has signed it in Arabic, addressed to Giorgio Tomasachi, merchant in Amsterdam, sent by forwarding agent via Gibraltar. Endorsed on the front "recommandee aux soins obligianti de M. W. J. Blount a Gibraltar", disinfected (probably in Morocco and Gibraltar) with differing length horizontal and vertical chisel slits and by splashing with vinegar (resulting in some discolouration). The letter concerns shipments of sweet almonds and rubber owned by Tomasachi and sent by ship to Morocco, explaining how these shipments have suffered various vicissitudes with the English corsairs and also as a result of the war that has just been declared between Denmark and England. An unusual letter to Europe sent via a forwarding agent in Gibraltar. Photo on Page 204. (Image1)