30 YEARS WAR - LETTER SENT BETWEEN COMMANDERS IN FLANDERS REF. POSSIBLE P.O.W. EXCHANGE; 25 July 1645 EL from "Camp de Spicker" (now Bergues; near Calais and the Belgian border) to the "Duc d'Amalfi Piccolomini" folded small and beautifully sealed with red wax seals and pale blue silk threads. The sender, the French Commander of the Army in the Low Countries at this time, Gaston Duke of Orleans (1608-60; son of Henry IV and brother of King Louis XIII) signed the letter "Gaston", and he wrote to propose an exchange of Prisoners. The addressee, Gaston's cousin, the Commander of the Spanish Army in the area at the time, the Duke of Amalfi (Italian but fighting with the Spanish) cannot have been far from Bergues. Very early and rare reference to Prisoners of War and a highly attractive letter. Exhibition Quality.Cross Reference: AUTOGRAPHS, FRANCE, SPAIN, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL (Image)

WAR OF THE AUSTRIAN SUCCESSION - LETTER EX PRISONER IN DEVON TO FRANCE VIA HOLLAND; Remarkable 6 Oct. 1744 EL (outer wrapper with minor loss at right of address, just clear of endorsements etc.) from a French merchant ship's Captain captured at sea by an English ship off the coast of Spain, written in prison in Totnes (Devon), describing his capture and lamenting the loss of the ship (which was sunk), while his crew are in prison in Plymouth. The letter is addressed to a merchant in Bordeaux, but the mail service was suspended due to the War, and so the letter was sent by private means to London and on to Rotterdam (Forwarding Agent endorsements from each town on the flap) before being posted and so it was charged "23" with a fine "HOLLANDE" struck in transit in Paris on the front. Fascinating contents. The earliest Prisoner of War letter that we have recorded from an English Prison. [See MFPWE, p. 37.] Cross Reference: MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, DEVON, FORWARDING AGENTS, NETHERLANDS (Image)

WAR OF THE AUSTRIAN SUCCESSION - LETTER EX PRISONER IN DEVON TO FRANCE; Remarkable 6 Aug. 1747 EL (full typed transcript) from the Captain of a French Merchant Ship that had been captured on 9 July by an English Warship while he was en route from the "Cape of St. Domingo" (now Haiti + the Dominican Republic, which he had left on 4 May) - presumably to France who was then in Prison in "Tavistock" (Devon). He briefly describes how he was taken prisoner and lists the cargo of sugar that he lost; he then states how much money he needs, etc. The letter to Nantes was clearly carried by private ship from Plymouth to Bayonne; it has a partly fine small h.s. "de Bayonne" and m/s "10" charge on the front. Very rare Prisoner letter from this early period. [See MFPWE, p. 38.]Cross Reference: MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, HAITI, DEVON (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - LETTER EX MERCHANT CAPTAIN IN PLYMOUTH CAPTURED DURING PRE-WAR 'PEACE'; 19 Sept. 1755 EL (minor toning) from a French Merchant Ship's Captain taken by a British 60-gun Warship on 26 August soon after leaving the river at Bordeaux. He complains that War has not been declared and asks that the Chamber of Commerce should inform the King. The letter - addressed to Bordeaux - has no postal markings, but there is an internal endorsement that it was received on 4 October, and it is thought that it was carried to Bordeaux by the members of the ship's crew who had been released and allowed to return to their home port. Remarkable item from a ship's Captain captured before the outbreak of war! [See MFPWE, p. 43.] Cross Reference: MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, FRANCE, DEVON (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - LETTER EX MERCHANT CAPTAIN IN PLYMOUTH CAPTURED DURING PRE-WAR 'PEACE'; 26 Sept. 1755 EL (minor internal ink-etching) from the same French Merchant Ship's Captain as the previous lot - giving a similar account of his having been taken by a British 60-gun Warship on 26 August soon after leaving the river at Bordeaux, etc. The letter - addressed to Bordeaux - was presumably sent by official means to London and then despatched via Dover to France; it has a very fine Paris "D'ANGLETERRE" on the front with a "17" charge. There is once again an internal endorsement that it was received on 11 October, exactly one week after the letter in the previous lot reached Bordeaux. Remarkable item from a ship's Captain captured before the outbreak of war! [See MFPWE, p. 43.] Cross Reference: MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, FRANCE, DEVON (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - LETTER TO CAPTAIN DEQUEUX IN PLYMOUTH CAPTURED DURING PRE-WAR 'PEACE'; 6 Jan. 1756 EL from Bordeaux to Le Chevalier Dequeux, Captain of the French Merchant Ship La Fidele, being held in Plymouth after his ship had been taken by the English [see next lot]. With normal postal rate from France; "10" changed to "In [all] 1N2" (10d ex France + 4d London to Plymouth) and having a fine "IA/14" London Foreign Branch transit Bishop Mark on the flap. The writer asks for news of his son, the ship's third cooper (the ship carried a cargo of wine). Good example of pre-War French vessels being impounded and their crews taken prisoner. [See MFPWE, p. 44.] Cross Reference: FRANCE, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, DEVON, NAVAL MAIL (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - EARLY CENSORED LETTER TO CAPTAIN DEQUEUX ON PAROLE IN PLYMOUTH; 28 June 1757 EL from Bordeaux to Le Chevalier Dequeux, Captain of the French Merchant Ship La Fidele, now on parole in Plymouth after his ship had been taken by the English [see previous lot]. It was carried privately across the Channel and so has the normal "4[d]" postal rate from London, but also having manuscript "Ex[amine]d. per A.J." Censor's initials on the flap beside the "14/IY" London Bishop Mark. It was addressed to Dequeux "Prisonnier a Launceston" and then redirected (by private means) to him "[on parole] at Mr. Polcher's in Plymouth". With important contents revealing the identity of Censor "A.J."; "Here at last is, Monsieur, your recall having caused an English Captain to be released to send you back to France. M. de Rostan was kind enough to grant me the pleasure and you must owe him a great deal of obligation, having got for you an English captain to exchange for you from the Prisoners, and having sent him back to England at my request. I could not yet obtain the freedom of your second in command… assure him that I will remember him when the next opportunity presents itself.... [P.S.] I have addressed your Cartel [free travel permit] and your Letter to Mr. Jacob Albert in London." Extremely early Censored item to a POW. [See MFPWE, p. 45.]Cross Reference: MILITARY - CENSORED MAIL, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, CORNWALL, DEVON (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - GOBBÉ CORRESPONDENCE - CENSORED TOPSHAM (DEVON) P.O.W. CAMP COVER; 6 June 1757 EL (neatly closed tear across address panel) from "Gobbe de la Gaudinais" in "La Prison de Tapson [= Topsham]" to his father in Redon mentioning that the letter would be carried by a French man returning to France (an exchanged Officer perhaps?); it was handed into the P.O. at "HAVRE" (s. line on the front crossed by closed tear) charged "7" with manuscript "D'Angleterre" on the flap. There is also a manuscript "Exd" on the reverse which was the Censorship annotation of Topsham POW Camp - the only example recorded? The writer expresses the hope that he may be able to return to France (as an exchange?) some time between September and December... Probably the earliest recorded 7 Years War cover from a British POW Camp? [See MFPWE, p. 44.] Cross Reference: MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, DEVON, FRANCE, MILITARY - CENSORED MAIL (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - GOBBÉ CORRESPONDENCE - TOPSHAM (DEVON) P.O.W. CAMP COVER TO FRANCE; 1 Feb. 1758 EL (full typed transcript; unsealed - as per censor regulations?) from "Gobbe de la Gaudinais, Prisonnier de guerre" in "La Prison de Tapson [= Topsham] proche Exceterre" to his father in Redon mentioning that this was the 8th letter that he had sent but without any reply. It would have been sent by the Camp authorities by a special cartel vessel (from Exmouth?) and was handed into the P.O. at "HAVRE" (fine s. line on the front) charged "7" (internal French rate). The writer asks for help and asks his father to write to "M. le Comte Delorge" or someone else with influence at the Ministry of the Marine, as he had himself written to Delorge but had had no reply regarding his wish to be exchanged or at least "cautionner" [put on parole]. Rare 7 Years War cover from a British POW Camp. [See MFPWE, p. 46.] Cross Reference: MILITARY - CENSORED MAIL, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, DEVON, FRANCE (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - FONTENILLE CORRESPONDENCE - PONDICHERRY P.O.W. CAMP COVER TO FRANCE REF RECENT SIEGE & SURRENDER; Extraordinary 10 Feb. 1761 EL (full typed transcript) from "Fontenille" in Prison in "Pondichery" to his uncle in Floransac (with manuscript "20" charge but no handstruck marks) giving news of his being taken prisoner following the recently ended Siege of Pondicherry in which he and the other French soldiers had had to eat cats, rats and crows. The contents include; "M. de Lally [French Commander of Pondicherry, 1702-66] has done so well that he has just lost the last Colony that we had in India… The English put us in the bag… all I ask of you is a shirt, some bread and wine when you learn that after a month of blockade by land and sea. We had been reduced to eat not only horses, camels, donkeys, oxen and buffalo, but also crows, cats, dogs and rats, with a quarter of a pound of rice per day. We lasted from the 1st month of November [1760] until the 15th of January [1761]… I believe that I have proven myself by having two bullet wounds; one through the arm and the other in the neck... [P.S.] Colonel de Jumiliac has been kind enough to take charge of this letter." An exceptional graphic account of the important Siege of Pondicherry. Unique(?) 7 Years War POW cover from India! [Not recorded in MFPWE.] Cross Reference: INDIA, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, FRENCH COLONIES, FRANCE (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - FONTENILLE CORRESPONDENCE - PLYMOUTH P.O.W. CAMP COVER TO FRANCE; 12 Apr. 1762 EL (full typed transcript; 'magic' sellotape just affecting top right corner of address - needs to be removed) from "Fontenille" while a POW in "Plymouth" to his uncle in Floransac charged "30" (20 sols London to Paris + 10 sols on to Floransac) with a manuscript "Angleterre" on the front. The writer says that he has just (6 April) arrived from Madras with 5 other officers of his Regiment; "Two English vessels carried 90 French Officers, advisers & staff. Our voyage was very hard, both in relation to food, and in relation to the small comforts that were taken from us. In our six-month crossing, we only had one 15-day break - in St. Helena. Despite the fatigue, we only lost one person, and a cavalry officer who went mad; we were looted and our belongings stolen when we boarded at Madras. None of us have a sou. The King of France has withdrawn the subsistence which he gives to captive officers, with the result that not one of us knows where to turn. The King of England gives a shilling, which is worth in France 22 Sols money, but one cannot live on that. We hope for a speedy return to our dear homeland. The cartel [fleet] is being prepared, so our stay in this country will not be long. I have scurvy, like all my comrades, to the tips of my teeth. I had the honour of writing to you upon the capture of Pondicherry [see previous lot], by Mr. de Jumiliac, who wanted to take care of my letters...". A wonderful insight into the plight of POWs taken from India to England. [See MFPWE, p. 50.] Cross Reference: DEVON, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, ST. HELENA, INDIA (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - FONTENILLE CORRESPONDENCE - EX PAROLE IN TAVISTOCK REF. BATTLE OF WANDIWASH, ETC.; 12 + 14 June 1762 EL (typed transcript for the first letter & much of the second; wax seal on reverse but not sealing the letter - as per regulations?) from "Fontenille" while a POW on Parole in "Tavistock" to his uncle (12 June) or his aunt (14 June) in Floransac without postal marks; the second letter unaddressed so presumably enclosed in the letter to his uncle and carried by a returning POW. He has still not heard from home, even though other POWs who had used the same carriers had had replies and provisions are extremely expensive ("extremement cher"); ordinary meals (without drink) cost 2 golden louis per month in Tavistock, whereas he has almost no funds. The accompanying letter to his aunt describes his service in India and includes a detailed gory description of the Battle of Wandiwash (22 Jan. 1760); "I commanded the Regiment for a whole year in the presence of the enemy three quarters of the time, my elders being wounded or sick... If Mr. de Lally had executed the King's orders in time, I would have returned to France... poor Ginestoux, whom I regret, and for whom I still cry each day. If I may, I will give you a little detail of the honour he acquired by dying: Without reducing the glory of the one who commanded the army at Vandavachy in any way, it was to M. de Ginestoux to whom we owe the success of the battalion. This battle, which lasted 9 hours, began at midnight [22 January 1760]. The enemy overpowered a large guard, which did not defend itself, and entered the village. We were engaged with them and resisted them until around 7 a.m. Seeing that there were no orders, and that each officer commanded a Troop, the poor deceased [M. Ginestoux] ordered the two companies of the Regiment's grenadiers to attack. He went himself at the head [of his force] and with a bayonet at the end of his gun charged the enemy so vigorously that he forced them to be driven out of the village. It was in this beautiful deed, that he perished so gloriously, along with the second Captain of the Grenadiers. And what is most unfortunate is that in the two companies, there were only five men killed, and few wounded. Judge then, please, of my pain, at the news of this death, which I heard from my Troop. After the battle, I left, resolved to clarify what I had been told. I did not need much time to educate myself. I found him lying at the end of the street, swimming in his blood, with no sign of life. My blood froze in my veins, and I was so overcome that I remained dumbfounded and petrified... I ended up acquitting myself of my gratitude by giving him the last rights... I beg your pardon for going into all these details...". Rare 7 Years War twin-letter with Campaign detail from a POW captured in India. [See MFPWE for the first, p. 51; the other not recorded.] Cross Reference: FRANCE, INDIA, DEVON, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - FONTENILLE CORRESPONDENCE - COVER EX P.O.W. ON PAROLE IN TAVISTOCK; 4 July 1762 EL (mentioning an enclosed letter from a fellow-POW for the addressee to hand to his father - long contents very worthwhile transcribing) from "Fontenille" while a POW on Parole in "Tavistock" to his aunt in Floransac charged "17" via Paris - posted in "RENNES" (partly fine s. line on the front - possibly landed at nearby St. Malo) and sent by the same ship as the previous lot. The writer mentions his still suffering somewhat from scurvy, talks of an imminent repatriation as well as of financial difficulties, his 18 months as a POW, and a fellow soldier from the Dutch settlement of "Negapatnam" (to the south of Pondicherry) who was "killed at the last Battle of Vandavachy on the 22 January 1760...I am very sorry for the death of all these brave boys...". Fascinating 7 Years War letter from a POW captured in India. [See MFPWE, p. 52.] Cross Reference: FRANCE, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, INDIA, DEVON (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - FONTENILLE CORRESPONDENCE - FINAL CHAPTER - TRANSIT IN PLYMOUTH, ARRIVAL IN FRANCE & FINAL ARMY ACCOUNT; 2 Sept. 1762 EL (full typed transcript) from "Fontenille" while a POW in transit to a return ship in "Plymouth" to his uncle in Floransac charged "10" (the rate from Paris only as it was sent by official means via London). The writer says; "Finding myself on the eve of my departure for France, and not expecting to receive any more news from you ... I am giving you notice that I am not suffering any difficulties. I leave after tomorrow for St. Malo; it will be pointless now for you to send me the money that I had begged you to send in my last letter". Plus matching 18 Sept. 1762 EL from him in "S.MALO" (fine straight-line on front with "18" charge) ref. his having left Plymouth on the 7th and arrived at St. Malo on the 10th, and similar 1 Mar. 1763 EL from him in Valenciennes to his uncle in Montpellier with mainly fine small red "VALEN.NE" and "18" rate with full accounts of the significant sums that the French East India Co. will be paying him for his 4 years service (incl. in prison) but noting that "On examination of the account, it should be noted that the English made the prisoners pay for their stay when they were transferred from Pondicherry to Madras". Fascinating trio documenting the return home of a POW captured in India during the 7 Years War. [See MFPWE, p. 53.]Cross Reference: MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, FRANCE, DEVON, INDIA (Image)

THE 7 YEARS WAR - RARE LETTER FROM CAPTURED FRENCH CAPTAIN TAKEN INTO CHARLESTON USA; Fine and remarkable 27 May 1762 EL (in French; with full typed transcript & translation) from "Charleston" to Bordeaux with manuscript "4[d]" British charge (1d Ship Letter plus 3d inland to London) as well as French "30" arrival charge on the front, having two very fine London "20/IY" transit Bishop Marks on the reverse. The letter was sent to his wife by a French Merchant Ship's Captain who had just arrived having been captured in mid-Atlantic by a British frigate; "My Dear Wife, I am sorry to tell you that having left on the 10th from the Cape [Haiti?] and being on the 19th at the latitude of 9°N, 30°W in longitude, I met a frigate from London armed with 24 canons, which was going from Antigua to Carolina. Having given chase to me for 9 hours, she caught me and I was forced to surrender. She drove me to Carolina, which we have reached today. I beg you not to worry and am your sincere husband, F. Suau. Time is short." Very rare cover from a French P.O.W. in British hands in America during the 7 Years War. [Not recorded in MFPWE.] Cross Reference: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, OFFICIAL MAIL, FRANCE, HAITI (Image)

BETWEEN THE WARS - RARE VERY EARLY CANADA TRANSATLANTIC COVER TO FRANCE, ETC.; Fine 26 Sept. 1766 EL (folds neatly to display internal heading beside the address) from "Quebec" to Chateaudun with fine "DANGLETERRE" and "26[sous]" arrival charge, presumably routed via London, Calais and Paris. Pre-1770 Transatlantic letters sent from Canada are very rare; this cover was sent soon after the first British P.O. had opened in Canada (in August 1763). Plus 1761/72 pair from France to G.B.; mainly fine tiny "de Bayonne" charged "2/6" to London via Paris, and fair 2-ring "BORDEAUX/PORT/PAYE" to Leeds charged "1N2" (but "16 pence" on flap - incl. 2d extra local unofficial Leeds rate). Good trio. (3 covers)Cross Reference: CANADA, FRANCE, TRANSATLANTIC MAIL, YORKSHIRE (Image)

AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE - CENSORED COVER EX FRENCH NAVAL P.O.W. IN ALRESFORD (HANTS.) CAMP; 1 Jan. 1779 EL (in French) from Visdelou du Liscouet, a junior French naval officer (ensign) in the P.O.W. Camp in "Alresford", to his father in Quintin in France (Missent to St. Quentin with m/s "deb. de St. Qtn." on flap) clearly censored on the flap - "Exad. Decr. 29 Edwd. Knapp" - with fine "ALRES/FORD" and "1/IA" London transit Bishop Mark alongside. Prepaid 3d in Alresford (red m/s "P3" and then charged "30" [sous] on delivery). The writer discusses his financal problems, the extortionately high prices for all clothing and life in general. Very rare Censored P.O.W. cover from this short-lived War involving France and Britain as well as Americans. Exhibition Quality. [See MFPWE, p. 61.] Cross Reference: HAMPSHIRE, FRANCE, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, MILITARY - CENSORED MAIL (Image)

AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE - COVER EX FRENCH NAVAL P.O.W. ON PAROLE IN ALRESFORD (HANTS.); 7 Apr. 1779 EL (in French; sealed with two different red wax seals - one perhaps applied by the censor?) from Visdelou du Liscouet, a junior French naval officer (ensign) apparently now on parole in "Alresford", to his father in Quintin in France (Missent to St. Quentin with m/s "deb. de St. Qtn." on flap) - with fine "ALRES/FORD" and faint London transit Bishop Mark alongside. Prepaid 6d in Alresford (m/s "P6" and then charged "30" [sous] on delivery). The writer again discusses his financial problems, acknowledges a letter from his father dated 22 March, and says of a friend going to France for the summer that "I would have liked to be able to accompany him to France... But it could not be arranged, unless I give my word not to serve, which I am not sure about without the approval of the Ministry." Very rare P.O.W. cover from this short-lived War involving France and Britain as well as Americans. Exhibition Quality. [Not recorded in MFPWE.] Cross Reference: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FRANCE, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, HAMPSHIRE (Image)

AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE - COVERS EX G.B. TO FRANCE ROUTED VIA BELGIUM WITH "D'A/B" MARKS; Feb. 1780 - Nov. 1781 trio of ELs from London to Cognac/Calais/Paris all routed via Belgium due to the war with France, and so each with mainly fine encircled "D/A/B" marks ("D'Anglettere par Bruxelles" ) marks of Brussels due to the closure of the regular Dover-Calais route and travel from London to Ostend instead. The Nov. 1781 EL mentions having to pay two ransoms for ships taken by the Corsair 'Le Visiteur'. Scarce trio. (3 covers)Cross Reference: FRANCE (Image)

AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE - COVER TO P.O.W. ON PAROLE IN EXETER FROM HOLLAND; 4 Aug. 1782 EL (small piece of unnecessary sellotape inside flap needs removing asap) apparently from "Flus[h]ing" (Holland) carried by private means to Frenchman "Captain Letuve, Prisoner at War at the Globe Tavern, Exeter". The brief contents (in English) seem to be from the addressee's ship's Dutch crew (signed by 4 of them) after they had taken her back to Flushing, advising of their safe arrival and noting that someone had apparently stolen the Captain's "French guineas"... Rare War of Independence letter addressed to a Parole Prisoner. [See MFPWE, p. 62.]Cross Reference: NETHERLANDS, DEVON, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Image)

ALRESFORD (HANTS.) PAROLE P.O.W. COVER TO FELLOW-P.O.W. ON 'NASSAU' HULK AT CHATHAM; 20 June 1811 EL (slight toning - mainly on reverse) from an unidentified French Officer on parole in "Alresford" addressed to "M. Elliot, Offer. Francais, Prisonnier de guerre a bord Du Nassau prison-ship, Chatham, Kent" endorsed "not paid 6" in red at top left/right, along with a fine to very fine oval "TRANSPORT OFFICE/[Crown]/G.R/PRISONERS OF WAR" mark; charged "6[d]" with an 11 July London transit cds on the flap. Very rare cover sent between POWs; one of only two covers recorded from Alresford and the only one to/from the Nassau. The contents in French (very hard to read) include "...I was put on parole yesterday". [Not recorded in MFPWE.] Cross Reference: HAMPSHIRE, KENT, MILITARY - NAPOLEONIC WAR, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image)

BRISTOL (STAPLETON) P.O.W. CAMP COVER WITH MANUSCRIPT "Stapleton" TO FRANCE; 1 May 1806 EL (full typed translation; an appeal to the town council for news of the writer's parents) from Marine Artillery Sergeant Leonard Bronner in "Stapleton" [POW Camp], who states that he had been on Garrison duty in Martinique for 3 years before being taken prisoner on his return voyage to France on the ship 'La Torche' to Strasbourg; sent unsealed (as per censor's regulations?). With unusual (unique?) Manuscript "Stapleton" on the flap along with a small h.s. "21" (of Strasbourg?); charged "8[g] 10[decimes]". Sent by the London Transport Office via Falmouth, Morlaix and Paris. Very early cover from this POW Camp. [See MFPWE, p.105.] [Ex Cavendish 'Leon Janssen' auction, 10 Sept. 2015; lot 1135, realised £500+BP.] Cross Reference: MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, FRANCE, BRISTOL, MILITARY - CENSORED MAIL (Image)

BRISTOL (STAPLETON) - P.O.W.s PETITION LETTER TO THE TRANSPORT OFFICE IN LONDON; Lengthy fine 25 Oct. 1809 EL (full contemporary? manuscript English translation) headed from "Des Prisons de Guerre de Stapleton" to the Transport Office in London (unsealed) with 35 POWs' names/signatures at the foot asking for their release as they had been captured in 1803 on 'Le Mars' which had been taking them - all badly wounded soldiers - back to France from Haiti. They ended up being held in Jamaica initially and then they were taken to Britain. [See MFPWE, p.131.] [Ex Cavendish 11 Sept. 2014, lot 1075.] Cross Reference: BRISTOL, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, HAITI, JAMAICA (Image)

BRISTOL (STAPLETON) P.O.W. CAMP COVER TO GENEVA ENDORSED "not paid" IN RED; 4 Feb. 1813 EL (asking for news of the writer's family in Geneva from whom he has heard nothing for 3 years) from POW "Zachary Quinet" to the Mayor of Geneva endorsed "not paid" in red (at the Transport Office in London?) and charged "12[decimes]" (from Hamburg to which the cartel ship took the letter on behalf of the Transport Office) with a very fine handstruck "7" (of Geneva) on the reverse. A scarce destination for mail from a POW in Britain. [See MFPWE, p.155.]Cross Reference: FRANCE, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, BRISTOL, SWITZERLAND (Image)

BRISTOL (STAPLETON) P.O.W. CAMP COVER TO FRANCE ENDORSED "not paid" IN RED; 1 Oct. 1813 EL (some splitting of folds but complete and legible) from POW "Broche" to his parents in Liguot acknowledging receipt of their letter of 27 June and saying that; "…you ask me if we have the countryside for a prison; I tell you with pain that since I was a prisoner I have always been confined together with my comrades in misfortune in a yard about three arpents [acres] in size..." endorsed "not paid" in red (at the Transport Office in London?) and charged "10[decimes]" (from Morlaix to which the cartel ship took the letter on behalf of the Transport Office). [Not recorded in MFPWE.]Cross Reference: FRANCE, BRISTOL, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL (Image)