1941-45 Covers comprising 1941 (Jan 10/13) covers from G.B to Egypt or Iraq with "SALVED FROM THE SEA" or violet boxed "DAMAGED BY SEA-WATER", both from S.S "Alhena" which ran aground at Pladdy Rock, Co. Down, N. Ireland; 1941 (Apr 8) cover franked 10d from F.P.O 201 at Heliopolis, and a cover from India (May 20) both to G.B with differing violet "Damaged by Sea Water" or "Salved From The Sea" cachets; and 1945 (Apr 25 - May 1) covers from Canada to G.B with violet "DAMAGED BY FIRE & WATER" (2) or boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER" all from S.S "Scythia" which caught fire as she entered the River Mersey, five with all or some of the stamps washed off. (7).
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 230.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 230
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 380
Symbol:
S.S "Vidar". 1940 (Jan 1) Censored cover (letter enclosed) from Canada to Denmark franked 5c, water damaged, handstamped "Beskadiget af Sovand". The Danish ship "Vidar" was torpedoed in the North Sea on January 31st, en route from Newcastle to Esbjerg; three mailbags were washed ashore in Denmark. Hoggarth & Gwynn do not record covers from Canada from this incident.
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 85.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 85
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 381
Symbol:
S.S "Eros". 1940 (May) Covers from Canada (6, two G.B First Day covers sent to Canada and redirected back to G.B) or Japan, to England (4), France (2) or South Africa, all recovered from the S.S "Eros" which was torpedoed on June 7th, and beached on the north-west coast of Ireland, all handstamped "SALVED FROM THE SEA" (6, two types) or boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER", the two covers to France returned handstamped "SERVICE SUSPENDU". (7).
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 130.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 130
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 382
Symbol:
S.S "Eros". 1940 (May) Covers from Canada (3) or Japan (3) to England all with some water damage, two covers with the stamps washed off, another Canada 3c stationery envelope with a further stamp washed off, two covers from Yokohama franked 10s pair, handstamped "SALVED FROM THE SEA" in violet or black (3), violet "Recovered from the Sea" or boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER". From S.S "Eros", torpedoed on June 7th and beached on the north-west coast of Ireland. (6).
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 130.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 130
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 383
Symbol:
S.S "Andania". 1940 (June 7) Registered cover from Leicester to A.M.C "Andania", backstamped red boxed "UNDELIVERED FOR REASON STATED / RETURN TO SENDER" with manuscript "Ship Lost", Naval Barracks Plymouth c.d.s (June 24). The Cunard White Star Liner "Andania", then on Admiralty service, was torpedoed off Ireland on June 16th. Photo on Page 62. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image1)
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 210.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 210
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 384
Symbol:
M.V "Wellington Star". 1940 (Aug 21) Stampless O.H.M.S cover from the Sydney G.P.O with "SUPT MAILS / SYDNEY" c.d.s, to Stanmore, N.S.W, with enclosed letter from the Postmaster-General's Dept informing the addressee a registered article posted from Enmore to England on May 9th was lost at sea, the vessel believed to be the M.V "Wellington Star" which was torpedoed off Spain on June 16th.
Opening GBP 80.00
Sold...GBP 70.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 70
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 385
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection
S.S "West Kebar". 1940 (Dec 21) Cover from Monrovia to New York bearing three Liberia stamps, extensively oil stained and water damaged, handstamped "Received in bad condition at ...." alongside a New York Wall St c.d.s (Jan 22) with an accompanying explanatory slip "The accompanying letter is one of a large number received from Monrovia, Liberia, per S.S West Kebar via Boston. The oil soaked condition of the letter was evidently caused by its having come in contact with a damaged parcel or cargo aboard the vessel, Respectfully, Albert Goldman, Postmaster". The "West Kebar" encountered a severe storm 400 miles east of New York on January 13th 1941, causing severe damage and flooding the hold, but was able to reach Boston unaided. The only recorded cover from this incident, ex Gwynn collection. Photo on Page 64. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image1)
Opening GBP 400.00
Sold...GBP 850.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 850
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 386
Symbol:
S.S "Alhena". 1941 (Jan 12-17) Covers from England to Turkey, Palestine (2), Aden or forces in the Middle East (3), four with stamps washed off, handstamped "SALVED FROM THE SEA (5, two types) or "DAMAGED BY SEA WATER" (3, all different types, one the former "Comorin" cachet showing part of "S.S"), the cover to Turkey with two differing cachets also handstamped "NO SERVICE / RETURN TO SENDER". The S.S "Alhena" ran aground at Pladdy Rock, Co. Down, on January 28th and became a total loss. (7).
Opening GBP 180.00
Sold...GBP 200.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 200
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 387
Symbol:
P.S "Portsdown". 1941 Cover from Bedale to Ryde, Isle of Wight, the stamp washed off, handstamped violet "DAMAGED AS A RESULT / OF ENEMY ACTION", arrival date of 22/9/41 marked on the reverse by the recipient. The Southern Railway paddle steamer "Portsdown" struck a mine whilst sailing from Portsmouth to Ryde on September 20th killing 22 passengers and crew. The ship was blown into two halves, the mails being recovered by divers from the rear portion of the ship, which came to rest on a sandbank.
Opening GBP 140.00
Sold...GBP 160.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 388
Symbol:
P.S "Portsdown". 1941 (Sep 19) Cover from Bromley & Beckenham to Shanklin, the stamp washed off, handstamped violet "DAMAGED AS A RESULT / OF ENEMY ACTION". From the Portsmouth to Ryde paddle steamer which struck a mine on September 20th and sank with the loss of 23 people; part of the mail was recovered by divers. Photo on Page 64. (Image1)
Opening GBP 130.00
Sold...GBP 100.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 100
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 389
Symbol:
P.S "Portsdown". 1941 (Sep 19) Cover, with enclosed letter, franked 2½d from Newcastle on Tyne to a soldier at Sharwell, Isle of Wight, the cover and letter both a little waterstained, handstamped light violet "DAMAGED AS A RESULT / (OF ENEMY ACTION)". From the "Portsdown", which struck a mine on September 20th when sailing from Portsmouth to Ryde.
Opening GBP 70.00
Sold...GBP 60.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 60
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 390
Symbol:
H.M.S "Neptune" & H.M.S "Dunedin". 1941 Covers from Manchester (Oct 17) to H.M.S "Neptune" handstamped "UNDELIVERED FOR REASONS / STATED / ON ADMIRALTY INSTRUCTIONS / RETURN TO SENDER"; and a cover from Edinburgh (Nov 26) to H.M.S "Dunedin" bearing the label "Return to sender on Admiralty Instructions. It is with the deepest regret that you are informed that the addressee is missing on active service". H.M.S "Neptune" struck a mine in the Mediterranean on the night of December 19/20th and sank with just one survivor from the crew of 767. H.M.S "Dunedin" was torpedoed in the South Atlantic on November 24th with just 67 survivors from the crew of 486. (2).
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 130.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 130
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 392
Symbol:
M.V "Mosfruit". 1942 Covers from the USA (Jan 9) to London, or from Montreal (Jan 23, Canada 2c postal stationery envelope) to a Canadian soldier in G.B, both with stamps washed off, handstamped violet "SALVAGED FROM SEA" or black "SALVAGED FROM THE SEA". The Norwegian M.V "Mosfruit" left St. John on February 3rd but returned to port the following day with a fire in No. 4 hold, damaged mail being returned to the Army Base Post Office at Ottawa. (2).
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 300.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 300
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 393
Symbol:
S.S "Ebro" / Iceland. 1942 (Mar 10) Cover from Reykjavik to USA with 45p meter mark, censored, handstamped "DAMAGED BY / SEA WATER". The Danish S.S "Ebro" sailed from Reykjavik to Hull, but stranded near Strathbeg Bay, Aberdeen, on March 18th, and broke up in a gale the following day. Three mailbags were washed up at St. Combs Beach, Rattray. A fine cover, illustrated in "Maritime Disaster Mails" by Hoggarth & Gwynn. Photo on Page 64. (Image1)
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 150.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 150
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 394
Symbol:
H.M.A.S "Perth". 1942 (Mar.) Cover from Concord West, N.S.W, to "warship "Perth" c/o G.P.O", handstamped violet boxed "Return to Sender on / Naval Board Instructions / G.L MACANDIE / Secretary", backstamped at Dead Letter Office Sydney (Apr 13). H.M.A.S "Perth" was sunk in the Battle of Sunda Straits on March 1st.
Opening GBP 80.00
Sold...GBP 70.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 70
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 395
Symbol:
H.M.S "Hermes". 1942 Covers from G.B to H.M.S "Hermes", all returned, two covers to W/T L.J. Sutch, dated February 11th bearing the label "It is with regret that you are informed / that the addressee is a Prisoner of War", or dated May 3rd addressed "c/o Naval Staff Office, Port Melbourne, Australia" and redirected to The Admiralty in London; the other cover (March 20) to the Rev. A.C.H Leeke bearing the label "RETURN TO SENDER / It is with the deepest / regret you are informed that / the addressee is missing / presumed killed on active / service", handstamped "ADMIRALTY" and "RETURN TO SENDER". The aircraft carrier "Hermes" was sunk by Japanese dive bombers off Trincomalee on April 9th. Leeke died in the sinking, but Sutch was apparently taken prisoner in an earlier incident. (3).
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 220.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 220
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 396
Symbol:
S.S "Charlbury". 1942 (May 18) Cover from Durban to England franked 1½d, a little soiled, handstamped black boxed bilingual "CORRESPONDENCE DAMAGED BY SEAWATER" (a cut-down version of the handstamp used in 1939 on mail recovered from the Challenger flying boat). Believed to be from the "Charlbury", sunk by the Italian submarine "Barbarigo" in the South Atlantic on May 29th whilst en route from Durban to the U.K.
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 160.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 397
Symbol:
S.S "Sidi Bel Abbas". 1942 Covers from Casablanca (Nov 2) or Oran (Nov 4, letter enclosed) to France, both damaged by water or singeing, the first handstamped violet "Courrier recupere / dans un navire coule" and "Communications / interrompues / avec la FRANCE", the other with the red cachet "COURRIER RECUPERE / DANS / UN NAVIRE COULE", both from the "Sidi Abbas", scuttled at Oran during the North Africa campaign. Very scarce. (2).
Opening GBP 200.00
Sold...GBP 440.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 440
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 400
Symbol:
M.S "Agda". 1944 (Jan 15) Large cover posted in Denmark to the vicar of Endelave, the stamp washed off, with a letter of February 13th from the vicar confirming the cover was salvaged from the "Agda", stating "It had been lying in the water for three weeks and the stamp has washed off", also two associated letters and photocopies of contemporary newspaper reports. The "Agda" was a coastal vessel providing a service between the islands and mainland of East Jutland, sailing from Horsens to the island of Endelave; on January 15th it struck a mine near Endelave and sank with the loss of all 14 crew and passengers. The only known cover from this wreck, not recorded in "Maritime Disaster Mail" by Hoggarth & Gwynn.
Opening GBP 300.00
Sold...GBP 420.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 420
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 403
Symbol:
S.S "Greenhill Park". 1945 (Feb 15/22) Covers from Canada to Australia, the first with the stamp washed off, handstamped "SALVAGED FROM / SHIP FIRE / VANCOUVER BC", the second burnt at one side, both covers with an explanatory slip "OFFICE OF DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF POSTAL SERVICES / VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA. / The enclosed letter was damaged by fire and explosion / on a ship at Vancouver, B.C. G.H CLARKE / District Director of / Postal Services". The S.S "Greenhill Park" was loading at Vancouver on March 6th when she exploded following a fire in No. 3 hold, killing eight men and damaging or destroying 135 bags of mail. (2).
Opening GBP 160.00
Sold...GBP 140.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 140
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 404
Symbol:
S.S "John Bidwell". 1945 Printed matter cover franked 1½c from Milford, Delaware, to Santiago, delivered in 1960 backstamped "CORRESPONDENCIA RETARDADA / Y RECUPERADA DEL / S/S "JOHN BIDWELL" / 1945 1960 / CORREOS DE CHILE". The "John Bidwell" sailed from New York to Valparaiso in July 1945, but was diverted to the Far East when the war ended in August. After the war the ship was laid up, and scrapped in 1960 when 500 bags of mail for Chile were found in a hidden compartment.
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 280.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 280
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 405
Symbol:
Australia. 1940-44 Covers from Australia to G.B all with different "Damaged by Sea-Water" cachets, one 1942 cover officially sealed in Liverpool. (3).
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 85.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 85
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 406
Symbol:
Canada. 1941-45 Covers from Canada to England handstamped "DAMAGED BY SEA WATER" (2 types), "DAMAGED BY / WATER" or "DAMAGED BY FIRE & WATER", one 1941 cover registered. One 1944 cover from S.S "Beaverhill" which drifted into a reef at St. John, New Brunswick; two 1945 covers from S.S "Scythia" which caught fire as she entered the River Mersey. (5).
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 480.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 480
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 407
Symbol:
China / Malaya. 1941 Water damaged cover from China to England franked 10c, with "NOT OPENED / BY / CENSOR" applied in Hong Kong, an Officially Sealed label tied by arrival c.d.s (Sep 11); and a cover from London (Oct 31) to Singapore, water damaged and the stamp washed off, handstamped boxed "DAMAGED BY SEA-WATER" and "NO SERVICE / RETURN TO SENDER". (2).
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 260.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 260
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 408
Symbol:
Egypt. 1941 (July) Covers from British (7) or Australian troops in Egypt, to G.B (7) or Ireland with various "Damaged by Sea Water" cachets (7, three types) or endorsement, one cover from G.B. to Egypt and returned with "Addressee Reported / Prisoner of War" cachet, one Honour Envelope with Australia 3d strip of three tied by A.I.F Field P.O No. 14 c.d.s, all eight covers clearly from the same incident. (8).
Opening GBP 180.00
Sold...GBP 260.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 260
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 409
Symbol:
Egypt / Middle East. 1941-43 Covers (5) and a piece from Egypt or Palestine, and a 1945 (Apr 29) cover from G.B to Teheran but returned unknown, all with "Damaged By Sea Water" cachets (3 types), the last cover possibly from an air crash. (7).
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 180.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 180
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 410
Symbol:
Iceland. 1941 (Aug 16/18) O.A.S covers to England with F.P.O datestamps (F.P.O 304, the other one indistinct), and a 1945 (May 8) cover from Reykjavik to England franked 60aur, all with differing "Damaged By Sea Water" cachets. (3). Photo on Page 64. (Image1)
Opening GBP 160.00
Sold...GBP 1,200.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 1200
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 411
Symbol:
India / Ceylon. 1941 (May 19/22) Covers from India (2) or Ceylon (2) to G.B all handstamped violet "SALVED FROM THE SEA", all clearly from the same incident (listed by Nierinck as a possible air crash), one Ceylon cover bearing a 10c War Purposes Contribution label. (4).
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 120.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 120
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 412
Symbol:
India / Ceylon. 1941-42 Covers from India to G.B (5) or Ceylon to USA, all with some water damage (three India covers with stamps washed off), the Ceylon cover handstamped "RECEIVED IN DAMAGED CONDITION", the India covers handstamped "Damaged By Sea Water" (3, two types) or "RECEIVED WITHOUT STAMPS", the other soiled cover with an accompanying letter from the Middlesborough Postmaster explaining it was damaged by sea water. (6).
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 140.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 140
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 413
Symbol:
Jamaica. 1942 (Sep 15) Cover from Canada to a U.S soldier franked 3c, redirected to "U.S Marine Forces, Jamaica", reverse with a Kingston arrival c.d.s (Nov 28) and the explanatory label "The enclosed article was received in a United / States mail which had been damaged by fire. / W.A. CAMPBELL, / Postmaster General". Just two examples of this Jamaica label recorded in "Maritime Disaster Mails" by Hoggarth and Gwynn, very rare. Photo on Page 74. (Image1)
Opening GBP 200.00
Sold...GBP 260.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 260
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 414
Symbol:
Malta. 1942 (Oct 26) Cover (letter enclosed) to the USA, written at Balzan but posted at Valletta, franked two ¼d pairs + 1½d, the stamps washed off and replaced incorrectly (but clearly belonging to this cover), handstamped violet boxed "DAMAGED BY SEA-WATER". One of two Oct./Nov. 1942 covers from Malta with this cachet recorded by Hoggarth & Gwynn.
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 110.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 110
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 415
Symbol:
Portugal - Madeira. 1942 Cover from Funchal to London, the stamp washed off, officially sealed in the London Returned Letter Section, the reverse bearing the unusual explanatory label "It is regretted this / packet has been damaged by / fire in transit. / Returned Letter Section / Mount Pleasant / E.C.1" (altered in manuscript from "the enclosed packet" with the reference "Sovex 452" crossed out).
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 190.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 190
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 416
Symbol:
Samoa. 1942 (Dec.) Cover from Apia to Scotland bearing Western Samoa 2d, censored in New Zealand, repaired with two Officially Sealed labels and handstamped violet "DAMAGED AT SEA". Hoggarth & Gwynn record this cachet on two other Nov./Dec. covers sent from New Zealand to P.O.Ws in Europe. A rare wreck cover from Samoa. Photo on Page 64. (Image1)
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 270.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 270
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 417
Symbol:
Sierra Leone. 1942 Stampless O.A.S covers to England with Field Post Office 41 datestamps of August 3rd or November 26th (2); and a cover from London to "Air Head Quarters, R.A.F, West Africa Force" but redirected back to London with F.P.O 41 backstamp (Nov 28), all handstamped violet boxed "DAMAGED BY SEA-WATER" (3 types), the three November covers all clearly from the same incident. F.P.O 41 was located at Freetown. (4).
Opening GBP 130.00
Sold...GBP 140.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 140
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 418
Symbol:
South Africa. 1942-43 Covers from G.B (3) or Brazil (2), and an O.A.S cover with undated H.M Ships handstamp and censor cachet, all to South Africa, handstamped "DAMAGED ON BOARD / SHIP" (the only example recorded by Hoggarth & Gwynn), "DAMAGED ON BOARD", "DAMAGED BY / SEA WATER" (2), boxed "DAMAGED BY SEA WATER" (the former "Comorin" cachet) or bilingual "DAMAGED BY SEAWATER / BESKADIG DEUR SEEWATER", the two Brazil covers probably from the S.S "Piratiny" wrecked off South West Africa on May 13th. A good lot with some scarce cachets. (6). Photo on Page 64. (Image1)
Opening GBP 300.00
Sold...GBP 250.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 250
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 419
Symbol:
Turkey / Greece. 1940-42 Covers comprising 1940 (Dec 30) cover from London to Corfu handstamped violet boxed "DAMAGED BY SEA-WATER" and "NO SERVICE / RETURN TO SENDER", received back in London on October 30th 1941; and two 1942 (Feb 28/Mar 4) covers from Istanbul to England, one with the stamps washed off and both with signs of fire damage, both with violet boxed "DAMAGED BY SEA-WATER", the two Turkey covers clearly from the same incident. (3).
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 100.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 100
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 421
Symbol:
South America. 1941-43 Covers from Argentina (3), Brazil, Uruguay or Colombia with "DAMAGED BY / SEA WATER" cachets (2 types), two Argentina covers of Nov 23/27 1941 from the same incident, Argentina and Uruguay covers of June 7/12 from another incident, also a cover from an unknown origin but with the same cachet and received on 3rd August 1943, probably from this same incident. (7).
Opening GBP 200.00
Sold...GBP 170.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 170
Wreck Mail
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 359
Symbol:
S.S "Ava". 1858 (Feb 6) Entire letter from Madras to London handstamped "INDIA UNPAID", a little edge staining with piece torn from centre of upper edge, explained by the cachet "Saved from the wreck / of the Ava" on the reverse. London (May 11) arrival c.d.s, charged 6d (with 1d shown as due to India), the charge paid in London and the letter redirected on the same day to Geneva franked 1856 1/- pale green cancelled by numeral "12", also tied by red oval "PD" and a Calais transit c.d.s, with blue Liverpool St. undated circle and datestamps of Madras, London, Paris to Lyon and Geneva. The P&O "Ava" was en route from Madras to Trincomalee when it hit rocks on Pigeon's Island, 80 miles from its destination, on February 11th. The ship slowly sank, the cargo and mails subsequently being recovered by divers, this letter from the second batch of recovered mail conveyed to London on the P&O "Colombo" (herself wrecked in 1862). The only "Ava" wreck cover redirected abroad we have seen, an exceptional Swiss destination and use of a 1/- stamp on a wreck cover. Photo on Page 62. (Image1)
Opening GBP 500.00
Sold...GBP 2,600.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 2600
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 360
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection
Royal Charter. The fine display collection telling the story of the steam clipper "Royal Charter", which made five return voyages to Australia in 1856-59 before being wrecked off Anglesey with the loss of 451 lives on her sixth return voyage in 1859. The collection includes an 1856 (May 3) cover from Melbourne to London franked Victoria 6d carried on the first return voyage; 1856 (Jan 5) "Times" newspaper reporting the inaugural voyage from England; 1859 (Oct 28) "Standard" reporting the wreck and a further edition of the "Standard" (Nov 8) listing all the ships passengers; 1859 "Illustrated London News" articles depicting the wreck, or showing seaman Rodgers who managed to carry a line from the doomed steamer to the shore enabling 41 people to be rescued; wooden fork handle embossed "L&A NAVIGATION Co" recovered from the wreck; 1859 (Nov 28) stampless cover from Cottenham to the USA with enclosed letter reporting the death of Ann Norman (of the "Red Lion") and her two children, who were returning to Cottenham from Australia when they were drowned in the wreck; 1871 N.S.W cover to Mrs William Foster, wife of one of the few survivors from the wreck. Also many photocopies of articles and documents, photos, etc., telling the story of individual casualties (including Ann Norman), monuments, salvage of gold and cargo from the wreck, recovery and burial of the victims, etc., well written up on 70 pages.
Opening GBP 500.00
Sold...GBP 600.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 600
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 362
Symbol:
S.S "Wairarapa". 1894 (Sep 12) Cover from Kidderminster to New Zealand, the stamps washed off and piece torn from upper edge, handstamped violet "Saved from wreck of the / "WAIRARAPA"", backstamped at Auckland (Nov 3) and Maungaturoto. The "Wairarapa", en route from Sydney to Auckland, sailed into a cliff on Great Barrier Island in fog, on the night of October 29th, over 120 people drowning.
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 180.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 180
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 363
Symbol:
S.S "Elbe". 1895 Stampless registered cover (probably a Post Office ambulance envelope) to New York handstamped "Geborgen aus der / Postladung des untergegangenen / Dampfers "Elbe" / Postamt 1 Bremen", reverse with two Bremen Post Office seals and New York arrival datestamps (Feb 4). The S.S "Elbe", bound from Bremen to Southampton and New York, was rammed by the Cunard Liner "Crathie" in the North Sea and sank with the loss of 334 lives; several mailbags were subsequently washed ashore, or recovered from the sea. Roughly torn open at upper right and vertical fold, otherwise largely fine.
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 240.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 240
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 364
Symbol:
R.M.S "Labrador". 1899 (Feb 13) Cover from Vancouver to Scotland, the stamp washed off, handstamped violet boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER", reverse with two differing Glasgow Post Office Officially Sealed labels tied by datestamps of Glasgow (Mar 18) and Edinburgh, vertical fold, otherwise fine. From the R.M.S "Labrador", which was wrecked on the Mackenzie Rock in the Hebrides on March 1st whilst en route from St. John (New Brunswick) to Liverpool. Seven bags of mail were washed ashore on Mull, Coll or Tiree and taken to Glasgow.
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 85.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 85
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 365
Symbol:
Mexican / "Birkenhead". 1900 (Aug 2) Cover franked Cape 1d, from Alfred Docks to England with fine red "RECOVERED FROM / WRECK OF MEXICAN". Also photographs of an artists depiction of the wreck of the "Birkenhead" in 1852, or of John Smith, one of the 184 survivors, taken in 1902, and an extract reprinted from the "Surrey Times" in 1902 about the award of a special pension of 9d a day to Smith. (4).
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 100.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 100
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 368
Symbol:
1915-18 World War One covers comprising 1915 (Oct 10) cover from G.B to a soldier in the British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, fire damaged with partial "DAMAGED BY FIRE & / WATER ON SHIP", probably from S.S "Surada" torpedoed off Port Said; 1917 (Feb 20/26) covers from USA to Holland or Cuba to G.B, the stamps washed off, handstamped "DAMAGED BY SEA WATER", from the S.S "Norwegian", beached off the Irish coast following an explosion; 1918 (Mar 28 / April 3) stampless O.A.S covers from Egypt to G.B or Canada both with violet boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN WATER", the cover to Canada unusually also handstamped boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER", from "S.S "Kingstonian" torpedoed off Sardinia; and c.1918 cover from Butterworth (Malaya) to London, water damaged and the stamp torn away, with boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER". (6).
Opening GBP 150.00
Sold...GBP 230.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 230
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 369
Symbol:
India / Iraq - S.S "Karmala". 1917 (Feb 23) Water damaged cover from Delhi to England, handstamped red boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER - I.S.", from S.S "Karmala" which struck rocks near Vada, south of Leghorn, late in March; and a 1917 (Dec 18) stampless O.A.S cover from Indian F.P.O 76 in Iraq to England, arrival c.d.s (Mar 5) and violet boxed "DAMAGED BY IMMERSION / IN SEA WATER", from an unknown incident. (2).
Opening GBP 160.00
Sold...GBP 150.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 150
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 370
Symbol:
S.S "Mongolia". 1917 Cover from Scotland to India, a little water damage and the stamp washed off, handstamped oval "ACCIDENT AT SEA / MONGOLIA / 23.6.17", backstamped at Bombay (July 1) and Kajuricherra. The P&O steamer "Mongolia" struck a mine sixty miles from Bombay and sank, killing 23 people; a mailbag or two were subsequently recovered from the sea.
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 160.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 371
Symbol:
South Africa - "Kenilworth Castle" / "Mexican". 1918 (Apr 26) Postcard from Kimberley to London franked South Africa ½d pair, redirected to H.M.S "Almanzora", c/o G.P.O London, with a Brixton machine (June 7), water stained, handstamped with an unusual violet "DAMAGED BY SEA WATER", recovered from the "Kenilworth Castle" which collided with an escorting Destroyer in the Channel on June 4th and beached in Plymouth Sound. Also a 1900 (Mar 30) front to England with Cape 1d cancelled at De Aar, soiled, handstamped red "RECOVERED FROM / WRECK OF MEXICAN". (2).
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 130.00
Closed..Sep-30-2020, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 130
Sale No: 46
Lot No: 372
Symbol:
S.S "Kalyan" - KUT. 1922 (Mar 8) Registered front from Mombasa to England bearing KUT 10c strip of four and a Mombasa registration label, with three violet "DAMAGED BY SEA / WATER" cachets. Water was found to have entered the cargo hold when the S.S "Kalyan" was unloaded at Marseille.
