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The Dr. Joachim Frank Collection of the Canadian C First Contingent
Sale No: 58
Lot No: 103
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, Preparations in Canada, 1899 (October 28), stampless official envelope from Government House, Ottawa, bearing the handstruck signature of Major L.G. Drummond, Military Secretary to the Governor General of Canada, Lord Minto, postmarked by Quebec duplex and backstamped at Barrie, Ontario (30 Oct), docketed "Minto" on front, flap reattached, otherwise very fine; a rare and important official usage connected with preparations for the Canadian Contingent, and a significant exhibition item and one of the earliest identifiable Contingent covers; ex Richardson (1991), Pattiz (2006).
Major L.G. Drummond, Military Secretary to Lord Minto, was afforded free franking privilege. He was attached to the First Contingent for staff duty. The cover offered here was mailed two days prior to the departure of the First Contingent, which assembled at Quebec and sailed for South Africa on October 30, 1899, aboard the S.S. "Sardinian."
Literature: Kenneth Rowe, The Postal History of the Canadian Contingents, 1981, illustrated on page 19. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 750
Opening C$ 500.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 104
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, Mail Transfer at Sea, 1899 (November 15), stampless envelope from Private Bach of E Company to Montreal, struck with “FREE” handstamp and the handstamped signature of J.L. Palmer, Assistant Postmaster, with Montreal arrival c.d.s. (8 Dec), reverse with London transit (29 Nov), the flap bearing the maple-leaf emblem of the Canadian Contingent; the letter formed part of two pillow cases of mail transferred at sea to the S.S. Rangatira for onward carriage to London, a desirable usage, with only about ten examples recorded, remarkably fresh and very fine; rare. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 600
Opening C$ 400.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 105
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1899 (November 30), cover mailed at Cape Town on the day the Canadian Contingent disembarked in South Africa, franked with a vertical pair of Cape of Good Hope 1d stamps tied by Cape Town c.d.s., underpaid and struck with hexagonal “T / 30c” tax marking and handstamped “COLLECT / POSTAGE 12 CENTS”; reverse with maple-leaf Canadian Contingent crest and New York transit (6 Jan), a few age spots, otherwise fine; a particularly evocative first-day-on-campaign usage.
The First Canadian Contingent, approximately 1,000 men of the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, had sailed from Quebec aboard the Sardinian on October 30, 1899. After reaching Cape Town, the battalion disembarked on November 30 and marched to its first camp at Green Point Common; contemporary accounts record that the Canadians received an enthusiastic public welcome during their arrival and passage through the city. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 106
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1899 (December 26), stampless Y.M.C.A. patriotic envelope bearing the imprint of Dr. H.G. Barrie (Type D), addressed to Montreal and cancelled by Field Post Office P.O. c.d.s., struck with large “T” tax marking and manuscript “4,” further endorsed “Refused at 19 Aylmer St.”; reverse with Montreal arrival c.d.s. (26 Jan) and additional transit markings, including one in violet, repaired at top, otherwise fine-very fine; ex Richardson.
Dr. H.G. Barrie was the Young Men’s Christian Association representative attached to the First Canadian Contingent in South Africa. Appointed as a special welfare officer shortly before the contingent sailed in October 1899, he accompanied the troops aboard the Sardinian and conducted services during the voyage. In South Africa he served as officer in charge of the Canadian Contingent’s Y.M.C.A. headquarters, providing welfare and religious support to Canadian soldiers.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 250
Opening C$ 150.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 107
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (January 4), printed receipt of the Cape Times Limited, datelined Belmont and issued to H Company, Royal Canadian Regiment, for “16 Copies Xmas & Post…,” bearing a Cape 1d revenue stamp cancelled in manuscript, fine-very fine; an unusual and scarce contemporary record of newspaper supply to the Canadian Contingent. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 100
Opening C$ 60.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 108
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (January 7), “Canadian Contingent” parcel tag registered to Halifax, franked with Great Britain 2d and 6d Jubilee issues tied by Field Post Office c.d.s., reverse endorsed with the sender’s name and contents, “Ostrich feathers,” the 8d franking paying 4d parcel postage for up to 16 oz. plus 4d registration, fine and believed unique; ex Richardson. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 109
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (February), two covers cancelled by Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s. at Belmont, comprising February 7 Great Britain 1d letter card from D Company to Ontario, with interesting contents datelined "Maple Leaf Camp, 3 miles north of Belmont"; and 14 February stampless envelope from A Company to British Columbia, endorsed “Soldier’s Letter - no stamps obtainable,” struck with large “T” tax marking subsequently overstruck by London “FB” cancellation and London Paid c.d.s. (2 Mar), reverse with Rossland arrival c.d.s. (17 Mar), horizontal filing crease, otherwise fine; a useful pair illustrating both franked and concessionary Canadian Contingent mail; ex Robinson. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 300
Opening C$ 200.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 110
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (March 20), stampless envelope from Trooper Frye of D Company at Bloemfontein to Quebec, endorsed “No Stamps On Active Service South Africa,” bearing a choice strike of the Canadian Contingent Type II dated oval in pink and Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s. in black, reverse with faint Sherbrooke arrival c.d.s. (16 Apr), unusually fresh; an early use of the Contingent oval, which had only been introduced one week earlier on March 13. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 250
Opening C$ 180.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 111
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (April), two covers to the United States uprated in London to satisfy the U.P.U. rate, comprising a stampless envelope to Medford endorsed “On Active Service / No Stamps Obtainable,” the Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s. subsequently covered by a Great Britain 2½d adhesive tied by London c.d.s. (18 Apr), the postage charged to the War Office, reverse with Medford arrival c.d.s. (27 Apr); and 18 April envelope to Taunton, Massachusetts, franked with Great Britain 1d lilac tied by a light Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s. and bearing a fine strike of the Canadian Contingent dated oval in red, with a Great Britain Jubilee 1½d added and cancelled at London (9 May), reverse with Taunton flag arrival (17 May), some soiling at upper right, otherwise fine; an interesting pair illustrating London uprating of Canadian Contingent mail to the United States. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 112
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (March 29), Soldier’s Christian Association envelope from H. Donaghy of B Company to London, Ontario, with crossed-flags imprint on flap, franked with Great Britain 1d lilac tied by Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s. while the 19th Brigade was at Bloemfontein, with transit c.d.s. alongside and London arrival backstamp (7 May), very fine, a pleasing example of this patriotic design, the envelopes having been distributed by S.C.A. representatives Hinde and Fleming to soldiers serving in South Africa. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 150
Opening C$ 90.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 113
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (April 24) Wilson patriotic envelope inscribed “Soldiers of the Queen” (Rowe 50-7), used as a newspaper wrapper to Montreal and franked on flap with a pair of Great Britain Jubilee ½d vermilion tied by Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s, horizontal filing creases, but an extremely unusual usage, quite striking and the unique such example recorded to date. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 250
Opening C$ 150.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 114
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (June 19), Great Britain 1d letter card, sent by Bach of E Company following the unit’s arrival at Pretoria with Hamilton’s column, uprated with Transvaal V.R.I. 1d and cancelled by Field Post Office 36 at Pretoria, addressed to Montreal and endorsed “On Active Service, Pretoria…,” bearing a purple strike of the Canadian Contingent Type II dated oval (27 Jun), with the date moved upward at right and used during the Type III period; reverse with Montreal arrival c.d.s. (30 Jul), very fine. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 150
Opening C$ 100.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 115
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (July 13), stampless Wilson patriotic envelope inscribed Patriam Amamus, addressed to Johannesburg, endorsed “On Active Service, 7566 R. Can. Regt.” and cancelled by Field Post Office No. 3 c.d.s. while based at Wakkerstroom, fine-very fine, and a scarce South African usage of this Canadian patriotic envelope. (Rowe 50-10) (Image1)
Estimate C$ 300
Opening C$ 200.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 116
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, Casualty Mail, 1900 (July 15), stampless envelope to London, endorsed “7563 Cpl. Walker, Royal Canadians, S.S. British Princess, no stamp procurable,” bearing a good strike of Liverpool Paid c.d.s. (15 Jul), minor tone spots, else fine-very fine, and a scarce example of casualty mail from the returning contingent.
The S.S. British Princess repatriated 380 invalided soldiers from South Africa to Britain, including a small number of Canadians. These men had been withdrawn from active service because of wounds or illness and were being returned for further treatment or convalescence.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 300
Opening C$ 200.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 117
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (August 2), envelope from A Company, Major-General Ridley's Column, to Ontario, franked with Great Britain 1d lilac tied by Field Post Office No. 6 c.d.s. at Bethanie, with London Paid c.d.s. (24 Aug) at left and several backstamps including Balderson arrival (3 Sep), some peripheral wrinkling and edge wear, otherwise fine; an attractive example of mail from Ridley’s Column at Wolvehoek, Orange River Colony.
In late July and early August 1900, Major-General C.P. Ridley commanded mounted infantry operating with Brigadier-General Broadwood’s cavalry in the pursuit of Christiaan de Wet after the Boer commander escaped from the Brandwater Basin. The Royal Canadian Regiment was ordered to follow Ridley’s more mobile force and, during the ensuing pursuit through the Orange River Colony, marched 112 miles in one week without overtaking De Wet.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 100
Opening C$ 60.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 118
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (August 28), envelope from Lt.-Col. W.D. Otter to Providence, Rhode Island, endorsed "From / OC / Royal Canadian / Regt" at lower left and “Via London…” at top, franked with five Great Britain ½d Jubilee stamps tied by Army Post Office 55 c.d.s., with a light purple strike of the Canadian Contingent Type II dated oval (3 Sep), reverse with a further strike of the Contingent oval and overlapping New York and Providence machine arrivals (4 Oct), very fine, offered with a small cut square of Otter's signature; a rare Boer War cover from the Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Regiment, particularly unusual for the application of the Canadian Contingent oval to mail addressed outside Canada; ex Weiss. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 750
Opening C$ 500.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 119
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (September 6), returned cover to R.C. Bach of E Company, Royal Canadian Infantry, franked with a 2c Numeral, tied by St. Lawrence, Montreal roller cancellation, with despatch c.d.s. at lower corner, addressed to him care of Captain Fitton, Field Pay Office, Army Head Quarters, Pretoria; Bach had already departed Cape Town aboard the Idaho, and the reverse bears a fair blue strike of the large double-oval “DEAD LETTER BRANCH / P.O. DEPT. CANADA” datestamp (12 Nov), remarkably fresh and very fine; a scarce returned wartime usage. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 450
Opening C$ 300.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 120
Symbol: Cvr
First Contingent, 1900 (September 21), stampless British Army Form C.398 advice-of-receipt envelope from Pretoria to Peterborough, Ontario, endorsed “On Active Service / No stamps available” and cancelled by Army Post Office 55 South Africa c.d.s., reverse with same-day Toronto transit and Peterborough arrival c.d.s. (22 Oct), very fine; a scarce overseas use of a form intended for local advice-of-receipt service. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 250
Opening C$ 180.00
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Fourth Contingent
Sale No: 58
Lot No: 162
Symbol: Cvr
Fourth Contingent, 1902 (May 24), “Active Service” cover from the 6th Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles, posted at Cape Town while en route to Durban, stampless envelope with original letter headed “On the Ocean”, written aboard the S.S. Winifredian, postmarked with Army Post Office, Cape Town c.d.s., with London Paid transit (27 Jun) and Hamilton arrival (3 Jul), the letter signed “Silas Gibbons, 6th C.M.R., Cape Force…”; some light soiling, otherwise fine, the only recorded 6th Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles letter posted at Cape Town per Rowe; ex Richardson. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 400
Opening C$ 280.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 163
Symbol: Cvr
Fourth Contingent, Fourth Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1902 (June 10), stampless envelope to Miramichi endorsed “On Active Service, Stamps Unobtainable”, bearing Army Post Office, Cape Town c.d.s. overstruck by London Paid c.d.s. (27 Jun), manuscript endorsed “No. 98, Maj., D Sqn., 4th C.M.R.”, the reverse with further despatch and Newcastle arrival c.d.s. (8 Jul), mailed during the S.S. Winifredian's stop at Cape Town while conveying the regiment home to Canada, fine and of great rarity, only two covers from the Fourth Regiment are believed to be recorded; ex Robinson.
The Fourth Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, formed Canada's Fourth Contingent and saw only brief service in South Africa before the Peace of Vereeniging brought the war to a close on May 31, 1902. The regiment embarked for home aboard the S.S. Winifredian, calling at Cape Town en route, making surviving mail from the return voyage exceptionally scarce.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Imperial & Colonial Units
Sale No: 58
Lot No: 164
Symbol: Cvr
Imperial & Colonial Units, British Regular Army Units, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1899–1900, Kaulbach correspondence to Nova Scotia, comprising 1899 (December 16) Union Steam Ship Company envelope bearing Cape 1d tied by Alfred Docks c.d.s., posted on arrival at Cape Town, with large “T” postage-due marking cancelled; 1900 (January 14) envelope bearing Cape ½d pair tied by a fine De Aar c.d.s.; and (23 Mar) envelope bearing Orange Free State V.R.I. ½d (3) and 1d tied by Bloemfontein c.d.s., used ten days after the British occupation of the city on 13 March; a scarce and overall very fine group tracing the regiment from its arrival at Cape Town through its subsequent service in the Cape and Orange Free State. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 300
Opening C$ 200.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 165
Symbol: Cvr
Imperial & Colonial Units, 1902 (March 14), South African Constabulary correspondence, envelope from Lieutenant F.T. St. George to Major George Cameron, bearing Great Britain 1d lilac tied by Army Post Office, Klerksdorp c.d.s., the reverse with Pretoria Club printed flap, overlapping despatch c.d.s., Field Post Office B.O. 8 c.d.s. (Volksrust, 18 Mar) and Elandsfontein c.d.s. (19 Mar), repaired at the upper left corner, an attractive example of internal military mail.
Lieutenant F.T. St. George commanded Troop 14, "C" Division of the South African Constabulary at Heidelberg. At the time of writing, Major George Cameron commanded the left wing of the Second Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, serving with Colonel W.D. Cookson's Column at Klerksdorp.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 150
Opening C$ 100.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 166
Symbol: Cvr
Imperial & Colonial Units, Irregular Horse Regiments, mail from Canadians serving with colonial mounted units, comprising Brabant’s Horse, 1900 (September 12) stampless “On Active Service” envelope to Toronto, endorsed “Via New York”, from Major W.H. Merritt, bearing Field Post Office 33 c.d.s. and Canadian Contingent Type III dated oval (17 Sep) in purple; Marshall’s Horse, 1900 (November 7) stampless envelope to the United States from Major N.G. Corbett, Commanding Marshall’s Horse, bearing Field Post Office 17 c.d.s. (Johannesburg) with Canadian Contingent Type II dated oval in purple, G.B. Jubilee 2½d tied by London c.d.s., the postage debited to the War Office; Roberts’ Horse, 1900 (November 15) envelope to Lindsay bearing G.B. 1d lilac (3) tied by Field Post Office 17 c.d.s. (Johannesburg) and Canadian Contingent dated oval (27 Nov) in purple, ex Griffith; and Kitchener’s Horse, 1901 (February 8) stampless “On Active Service” envelope to Toronto bearing Army Post Office 55 c.d.s. and London Paid transit c.d.s. (5 Mar), ex Richardson; a scarce group. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 600
Opening C$ 400.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 167
Symbol: Cvr
Cat No: Collection
Imperial & Colonial Units, Military Supplies Department, Cattle Rangers Corps, 1901 (September), two covers from No. 2 Section at Pretoria, G.B. 1d pink postal stationery envelopes to Canada from the same writer, comprising (3 Sep) endorsed “On Active Service, from No. 2 Sec., Cattle Rangers Corps, Pretoria”; and (28 Sept) similarly endorsed envelope, both cancelled by Pretoria c.d.s. and bearing triangular censor handstamps, quite fresh and scarce.
The Cattle Rangers Corps was a locally raised wartime unit operating under the British military supply organization, with sections stationed at centres including Pretoria and Johannesburg. Its personnel were employed in the control, guarding and movement of cattle assembled for army use, helping protect livestock from theft, dispersal and recapture while maintaining the supply of draught animals, among other tasks.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 150
Opening C$ 100.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 168
Symbol: Cvr
Imperial & Colonial Units, Roberts’ Horse, 1900 (November 26), registered cover to Canada, envelope from Sapper Graham, No. 4573, “A” Squadron, Roberts’ Horse, registered to Lindsay, bearing Transvaal V.R.I. 3d and 6d tied by Pretoria c.d.s., five times the soldiers' concessionary rate plus four pence registration, with captured GEREGISTREERD handstamp below, carried via London (21 Dec) and Toronto (31 Dec), a few minor faults, nevertheless a rare example of registered mail from a colonial irregular mounted unit; ex Richardson.
Roberts' Horse was a unit of six hundred men, raised in January, 1900. Intended to be called the "2nd Regiment, South African Light Horse," it was eventually named as a tribute to Lord Roberts.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 169
Symbol: Cvr
Imperial & Colonial Units, South African Constabulary, Headquarters, 1901, two items from the formation and early movements of the force, comprising (20 Jan) violet postcard to Ottawa bearing Transvaal V.R.I. 1d tied by Modderfontein c.d.s., with Johannesburg (30 Jan) and Ottawa (11 Mar) c.d.s., the reverse showing attractive zinc-etched scene titled “Christmas Eve on the Battlefield”, endorsed “Head Quarters South African Constabulary” and signed by Lieutenant W.B. King; and (25 Apr) envelope with original letter written en route to South Africa and posted at Cape Town, the notepaper headed SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTABULARY / S.S. MONTFORT; a desirable pair from the formative period of the Constabulary, the latter especially elusive with its original contents, scarce. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 250
Opening C$ 180.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 170
Symbol: Cvr
Imperial & Colonial Units, Transvaal Constabulary, 1900 (August 16), exceptionally rare Canadian association, “On Active Service” envelope to New Brunswick from “J.F. Hawkins, Transvaal Constabulary, Pretoria”, bearing Transvaal V.R.I. 1d tied by Army Post Office 55 c.d.s., the reverse with Fredericton arrival c.d.s., believed to be the only recorded cover from a Canadian serving with the Transvaal Constabulary, an item of considerable importance and of remarkable fresh condition, very fine; offered with a picture postcard depicting Olivier's Commando leaving Rouxville.
The Transvaal Constabulary was a short-lived police force established after the British occupation of Pretoria in June 1900 to maintain order in the newly occupied territory, and was soon superseded by the much larger South African Constabulary organized under Major-General Robert Baden-Powell later that year, making surviving mail from the earlier force exceptionally scarce, with Canadian-related examples rarer still. Lieutenant-Colonel I. Maxse of the Coldstream Guards was responsible for its organization, recruiting men for terms of three to six months, after which those found unsuitable were returned to their units; a comparable force was also established at Bloemfontein for service in the Orange River Colony.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 171
Symbol: Cvr
Imperial & Colonial Units, Western Province Mounted Rifles, 1901, a desirable two-way correspondence, comprising (2 Jul) stampless “On Active Service” envelope from Corporal Lawson, W.P.M.R., to New Brunswick, bearing a fine strike of the Malmesbury squared circle, manuscript “T”, London Paid transit c.d.s. (20 Jul) and arrival c.d.s. (29 Jul) on the reverse (illustrated by Rowe, p. 72); and incoming envelope to Sergeant Lawson at Malmesbury bearing 2c Numeral tied by St. John duplex, redirected and ultimately returned to St. John, with Piquetberg c.d.s. (27 Apr) and triangular PRESS CENSOR handstamp; a scarce and attractive duo, quite challenging to find such related incoming and outbound mail. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 300
Opening C$ 200.00
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Patriotic Mail
Sale No: 58
Lot No: 175
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, Flags, 1899/1901, small group of patriotic covers and cards, comprising J. Arthur Macmurtry advertising envelope depicting the Canadian and United States flags in colour; F.W. Fearman Co. Queen’s Birthday envelope from Hamilton showing the Canadian and British flags in colour; Balfour & Co. postal stationery card bearing a coloured linen Canadian flag label commemorating the Battle of Paardeberg; and registered envelope to Margaree with a coloured Canadian flag in the corner; a varied group, most very fine and all quite attractive. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 200
Opening C$ 140.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 176
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, G.A. Lowe, “The Cause of It All,” small-vignette design, 1902, two registered covers, comprising (8 Jan) brown and red envelope to Kingston bearing 9c franking tied by “R” in oval cancellations, with Toronto despatch c.d.s. in the lower corner (illustrated by Rowe on p. 93 of The Postal History of the Canadian Contingents); and (5 May) blue and red envelope to Milwaukee bearing 11c franking tied by large “R” in oval cancellations, with Toronto c.d.s. in the corner; ex Greene, a scarce and attractive pair showing both colour combinations of this distinctive Kruger caricature design (Rowe 54-14). (Image1)
Estimate C$ 600
Opening C$ 400.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 177
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, J.C. Wilson Designs, “Rule Britannia” Imprint C envelope with winking-lion variety, 1899 (December 23), usage from Trinidad, envelope to Philadelphia bearing Trinidad ½d tied by Port of Spain c.d.s., with the merchant’s imprint of Rust, Trowbridge & Co. and faint straight-line “Per S.S. Grenada” handstamp, a remarkably rare overseas use of this patriotic design, with bright colours, very fine.
Rust, Trowbridge & Co. was a prominent Port of Spain firm of general merchants, commission merchants and shipping agents, importing American and Canadian provisions, including fish from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, and exporting Trinidad sugar, cocoa, coconuts and molasses. The S.S. Grenada, built at Glasgow in 1896 for the Trinidad Shipping and Trading Company, operated the company’s regular passenger and cargo service linking Port of Spain and Grenada with New York. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 178
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, J.C. Wilson Designs, British Ensign Type II envelope, 1900 (June 2), scarce use from South Africa, envelope to Manchester bearing G.B. ½d vermilion and 1d lilac tied by Field Post Office 1 c.d.s. (Kimberley), the reverse with Manchester arrival c.d.s. (23 Jun), some light staining mostly confined to reverse, a scarce and attractive example of this patriotic design used on active service in South Africa. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 200
Opening C$ 140.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 179
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, J.C. Wilson Designs, “Well Done!”, 1901 (May 17), envelope to Nova Scotia, bearing 2c Numeral tied by Montreal flag cancellation (indicia 'A'), with J.C. Wilson advertising imprint, exceptionally fresh with bright colours, a lovely example (Rowe 50-12). (Image1)
Estimate C$ 200
Opening C$ 140.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 180
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, J.C. Wilson Designs, “Rule Britannia” private postcard with winking-lion variety, 1902 (September 1), elusive yellow-olive printing, postcard to the United States bearing 1c Numeral tied by Dartmouth cancellation; a scarce and attractive example of this design variety in the scarce yellow-olive colour. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 250
Opening C$ 180.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 181
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, J-O. Labrecque & Co, 1901 (March 4), Polar Bear & Boers, envelope to Bethlehem featuring a black engraving of a polar bear and captioned the Boers in ecstasy before the black diamond (coal) bearing 2c Numeral tied by Montreal Flag cancellation (indicia 'D'), a striking and lovely cover, very fine. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 100
Opening C$ 70.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 182
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, Soldiers’ Christian Association, 1900 (February 7), Canadian use by a member of the 1st Gordon Highlanders, envelope from Corporal Pirie to Montreal, endorsed and countersigned by the commanding officer, bearing G.B. 1d lilac tied by Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s., the reverse with the Soldiers’ Christian Association device, S.C.A. between two Canadian flags, on the flap and Montreal arrival c.d.s. (8 Mar), worn at the edges, nevertheless scarce. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 120
Opening C$ 80.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 183
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, Toronto Lithographing Co., “Bulldog and Battleship,” two cards, comprising the “Terrible,” 1900 (July 13), to Minneapolis bearing Canada 1c Numeral tied by Toronto flag cancellation; and the “Benbow,” 1908 (August 18), to North Hatley bearing 1c Tercentenary tied by Sherbrooke machine cancellation; the former with some edge wear, the latter fine-very fine, both scarce and quite attractive (Rowe 54-16). (Image1)
Estimate C$ 250
Opening C$ 180.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 184
Symbol: Cvr
Patriotic Mail, Toronto Lithographing Co., “Uniforms,” group of three cards, comprising unused Cavalry and Artillery card with Christmas greeting, and Infantry card, together with 1900 (October 3) Cavalry card used from Toronto to Chicago bearing 2c carmine tied by Toronto c.d.s.; the Christmas card with minor soiling, otherwise fine-very fine, a rare and attractive group (Rowe 54-17).
The illustrations depict a romanticized view of Canada's military forces at the turn of the twentieth century, including the North-West Mounted Police in their distinctive early prairie uniform with pillbox cap - by that time replaced even in Canada - together with artillery, infantry and cavalry.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 400
Opening C$ 280.00
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Pre-Contingent Mail
Sale No: 58
Lot No: 101
Symbol: Cvr
Pre-Contingent Mail, Third Battalion, pair of covers, comprising 1899 (February 17), unpaid envelope to 20 Company, Royal Artillery, Citadel, Halifax, handstamped “2” and with unframed “RETURNED FOR / POSTAGE,” franked with 2c Map issue tied by red oval Branch Dead Letter Office Halifax datestamp; and 1900 (April 30), envelope to Capt. Murray, Royal Canadian Regiment, Wellington Barracks, Halifax, bearing 2c Numeral tied by Mansonville & Montreal R.P.O. c.d.s., a fine-very fine duo.
With the Halifax Garrison was ordered for service in South Africa, the3rd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, was deployed to assume garrison duties at Halifax, remaining there until September 1902. As a militia unit serving within Canada, the battalion was not entitled to a military postage concessionary rate. A similar cover from the same correspondence as the April 30 example offered here is illustrated on page 29 of Rowe's "The Postal History of the Canadian Contingents."(Image1)
Estimate C$ 250
Opening C$ 150.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 102
Symbol: Cvr
Pre-Contingent Mail, 1900 (September), two South African campaign covers to Major Anderson of the 3rd (Special Service) Battalion, R.C.R.I., comprising an envelope franked with Great Britain 1d. lilac tied by the “P.O./43” barred-circle cancellation of Darnall, Natal, the reverse with arrival c.d.s. (22 Oct); and (22 Sept) stampless envelope endorsed “On Active Service, Stamps Unobtainable,” bearing Army Post Office 54 c.d.s. of Green Point, with a fine London Paid c.d.s. (20 Oct) alongside and arrival c.d.s. (29 Oct) on the reverse; a fine pair of British military covers to a Canadian officer.
The 3rd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, was raised for garrison duty at Halifax, freeing a British battalion for service in South Africa(Image1)
Estimate C$ 200
Opening C$ 140.00
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Prisoner of War & Censored Mail
Sale No: 58
Lot No: 172
Symbol: Cvr
Canadian Mail to Boer Prisoner-of-War Camps in Ceylon, 1902 (March–April), two items, comprising (14 Mar) Canada 2c postal stationery card written on board the "S.S. Harlech Castle" and posted from Halifax to Ragama, Ceylon, cancelled by Halifax duplex, with Colombo and Ragama c.d.s. (20 Apr) and a light strike of the large Ragama censor handstamp, this of particularly desirable quality; and (23 Apr) cover front to a guard at the Boer camp at Urugasmanhandiya, franked with 2c Numeral tied by Brigham duplex; a scarce pair. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 173
Symbol: Cvr
Civilian and Military Postal Services, 1901, three censored covers, comprising (22 Aug) envelope to Toronto bearing Orange Free State V.R.I. 1d pair and Orange River Colony ½d tied by Ladybrand c.d.s., with a further strike alongside, Ladybrand censor handstamp and Toronto arrival c.d.s. (30 Sept); (28 Oct) envelope to Johannesburg bearing Transvaal E.R.I. 1d tied by Pretoria c.d.s., with triangular Pretoria Press Censor and Johannesburg Press Censor handstamps; and (7 Dec) long blue O.H.M.S. envelope from the Post Office to Halifax bearing Orange Free State V.R.I. 1d tied by Bloemfontein c.d.s.; an attractive and useful group. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 300
Opening C$ 200.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 174
Symbol: Cvr
Canadian Mail to Boer Prisoner-of-War Camps in St. Helena, de Witt Hamer Correspondence, 1900–02, an important group of prisoner-of-war mail, comprising a letter on striking Elder Dempster Line headed paper illustrated with the R.M.S. Milwaukee and inscribed “Canadian Contingent”, signed and dated on the reverse; 1902 (May 22) envelope from Guelph to Captain de Witt Hamer at St. Helena bearing 2c carmine tied by Guelph c.d.s., with St. Helena c.d.s. (23 Jun) and triangular PASSED BY CENSOR / ST. HELENA / HEAD OFFICE handstamp in purple; (14 Jun) similar envelope endorsed “Prisoner of War”, bearing Guelph duplex and St. Helena arrival c.d.s. (15 Jul), accompanied by the original invitation to a wedding in Guelph; and 1900 (December 15) envelope from Dr D. Levrette Price, a Canadian medical officer, bearing St. Helena 1d tied by c.d.s., with Southampton Ship Letter c.d.s. (2 Jan); a highly significant group, with mail between Canada and St. Helena notably rare. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 1,000
Opening C$ 700.00
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Second Contingent
Sale No: 58
Lot No: 121
Symbol: Cvr
Second Contingent, pre-departure correspondence from Halifax prior to embarkation for South Africa, comprising 1900 (January 24) Y.M.C.A. Correspondence Room envelope (Rowe Type 1) to Quebec bearing 2c Numeral, tied by Halifax duplex, probably sent by a Canadian Mounted Rifles volunteer shortly before the S.S. Pomeranian sailed on 27 January; offered with a (February 8) Army Y.M.C.A. Correspondence Room envelope (unrecorded by Rowe) to York County, redirected on arrival, bearing 2c Numeral tied by Halifax duplex, with the complete original letter on Y.M.C.A. writing paper from a member of "C" Battery written before embarkation aboard the S.S. Milwaukee, this believed to be the only recorded example of this envelope; an important pair documenting the final preparations of the Second Contingent before departure for the South African War.
The Second Canadian Contingent assembled at Halifax during January and February 1900 before embarking in separate drafts for South Africa. The Canadian Mounted Rifles sailed aboard the S.S. Pomeranian on January 27, followed by "C", "D" and "E" Batteries of the Royal Canadian Field Artillery aboard the S.S. Milwaukee on February 21. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 500
Opening C$ 350.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 122
Symbol: Cvr
Second Contingent, "C" Battery, Field Artillery, service with the Rhodesian Field Force, 1900 (May 3), envelope to Ontario from Gunner H.L. Stringer, "C" Battery, R.C.A., Rhodesian Field Force, the manuscript endorsement "No Stamps Available" crossed through and prepaid with Rhodesia 1897 2d. (2) tied by Marandellas c.d.s. (without date slug), the reverse with Umtali c.d.s. (4 May) and Port Dover arrival c.d.s. (19 Jun), a rare and highly important cover from the Canadian detachment serving in Rhodesia, one of only three such covers recorded by Steinhart; ex Richardson.
"C" Battery left Beira, Portuguese East Africa, on April 23, 1900, by railway for Marandella's Headquarters of the Rhodesian Field Force, via Bamboo Creek and Umtali. From Marandella's the unit was transported to Bulawayo, by Zeederberg's Coaches, with an escort of Queensland Mounted Infantry, arriving on May 7.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 800
Opening C$ 550.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 123
Symbol: Cvr
Second Contingent, "D" Battery, Field Artillery, 1900 (January 30), Canadian Contingent "EN ROUTE" datestamp,envelope to Ontario bearing a fine strike of the Canadian Contingent "EN ROUTE" dated oval in purple, having missed the despatch at the Cape Verde Islands and subsequently franked with Cape 1d tied by Victoria West Road c.d.s. (6 Mar), with a second strike alongside, the reverse with Petrolea arrival c.d.s. (5 Apr); the detached flap, which is included, bears the coloured Allan Line Royal Mail Steamers, Liverpool imprint, a scarce and attractive cover; ex Richardson, Pattiz.
The cover was posted by Corp. C.F. Colter, "D" Battery, which left Green Point Common, Cape Town, by rail on March 4 for Victoria West.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 1,200
Opening C$ 800.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 124
Symbol: Cvr
Second Contingent, 1900 (31 January), “D” Battery, Royal Canadian Field Artillery, "EN ROUTE" oval used at Cape Verde, carried en route to South Africa. Cape Verde King Carlos 10r. postal stationery card uprated with an additional 10r., bearing a choice strike of the Canadian Contingent “En Route” dated oval in purple and part Toronto arrival c.d.s., sent by K.A. Murray, postal clerk, one of only two recorded Cape Verde usages dated 31 January, andthe most desirable and the unique recorded use of the Canadian Contingent “En Route” datestamp from Cape Verde, and among the most important Canadian Contingent postal-history items extant; an exceptional rarity of broader Boer War significance; ex Pattiz, Richardson. (Image1)
Estimate C$ 3,500
Opening C$ 2,500.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 125
Symbol: Cvr
Second Contingent, Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1900 (March), mail recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Mexican, Y.M.C.A. patriotic envelope (Rowe Type E) to Toronto, cancelled by Cape Colony c.d.s., the adhesive washed away, bearing a fine strike of the two-line “RECOVERED FROM / WRECK OF MEXICAN” handstamp in red and London Paid c.d.s. (20 Apr), the reverse with Toronto arrival c.d.s. (14 May), somewhat soiled and water-stained from immersion while in the mailbag, an appealing example of Canadian Contingent wreck mail.
The Union Line steamer S.S. Mexican departed Cape Town for Southampton on April 4, 1900 carrying passengers, cargo and a large holding of mail, but collided at sea with the British transport Winkfield and sank; all aboard were rescued, together with much of the mail, the water-damaged correspondence being forwarded with the distinctive red “RECOVERED FROM / WRECK OF MEXICAN” handstamp.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 600
Opening C$ 400.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 126
Symbol: Cvr
Cat No: Collection
Second Contingent, "D" Battery, Field Artillery, 1900 (March 13), first day of use of the Canadian Contingent Type II datestamp in South Africa, stampless "On Active Service" envelope to Ottawa bearing fine strikes of the Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s. and the large oval Canadian Contingent Type II datestamp in red, the reverse with arrival c.d.s. (12 Apr.), flap missing and creased at top, but a rarity, one of only four covers recorded on this first day of use.
The original "Canadian Contingent / En Route / South Africa" datestamp was modified after the contingent reached South Africa by removing the words "En Route". As no brigade postal service had yet been established in the western Cape Colony, Canadian mail was forwarded directly to the Base Post Office at Cape Town, where the contingent datestamp was applied on the same day as the Field Post Office cancellation. Only four examples bearing the inaugural 13 March 1900 date have been recorded, making this cover a key component of an advanced collection or exhibit.(Image1)
Estimate C$ 600
Opening C$ 400.00
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Sale No: 58
Lot No: 127
Symbol: Cvr
Second Contingent, “D” Battery, Field Artillery, 1900 (March 27), mail recovered from the wreck of the Mexican, envelope to Ontario bearing Cape ½d green pair tied by Van Wyks Vlei c.d.s., with a second strike alongside and bold two-line RECOVERED FROM / WRECK OF MEXICAN handstamp in red, the reverse with Hamilton transit and Aylmer West arrival c.d.s. (7 May), the detached flap, included, bears the patriotic legend “WE ARE / PROUD OF YOU BOYS / SAFE RETURN HOME AGAIN”, some wrinkling at the sides, a rare and desirable wreck cover, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
The Union-Castle Steamer S.S. "Mexican" sank off Dassen Island on April 5, 1900, after a collision with the S.S. "Winkfield." Passengers and some mail were saved, including army correspondence.(Image1)
