c.1910 Set of fifty numbered photographs published by R. Turstig in Omdurman, mainly portraits of men and women from various differing Sudanese tribes, also views of or near Khartoum and Omdurman, very well taken photos, each 100x120mm. (50).

1876 (Aug 27) Two page letter from Col. C.E Gordon at Mrooli, Victoria Nile, concerning the death of Abdul Aziz, the Turkish Sultan, to Carl Giegler, Director of Posts in the Sudan. A fine Gordon letter written from Uganda, no cover.

Samuel Baker. 1878 (Sep 18) Three page letter written and signed by the explorer Samuel Baker from his home at Newton Abbot, to Carl Giegler (Director of Posts in the Sudan, later Deputy Governor), posted from Dartmouth to Giegler in Khartoum, redirected to Cairo, the stamp unfortunately cut out. Baker thanks Giegler for his letter with a short note from General Gordon which he sent to The Times for publication, encloses The Times article, and asks him to send periodic letters and sketches on the residents and progress of the Soudan and Equatorial Provinces to the newspaper and they will pay him as one of their correspondents. Baker reflects on the success of his earlier expedition which laid the foundation of European influence in Egypt and Soudan and doomed the slave trade to extinction, and refutes the allegations of that drunken scoundrel McWilliams who accused him of having women and children shot. Samuel Baker, the discoverer of Lake Albert, led an expedition to the equatorial regions of the Nile in 1865 to suppress the slave trade and open the country to commerce and civilisation, serving as Governor-General of Equatoria for 4 years, his mission then continued by the new Governor Col. Gordon

James Grant. 1879 (July 27) Cover with enclosed eight page letter written and signed by the explorer James Grant, posted at Nairn franked 2½d addressed to "C. Giegler Esq., Supt. Telegraph Dept. Khartoum, Upper Egypt", backstamps of Alexandria, Siut and very scarce "POSTE EGIZIANE / HARTUM" arrival c.d.s. Grant discusses the proposed Cape Town to Egypt telegraph line; "the Supt at the Cape, Mr Sivewright, proposes a line from Kimberley or Pretoria to Nyassa, thence to Zanzibar, Uganda and Gondokoro &c. ....... I have obtained the opinions of several travellers in Africa, Baker, Cameron, Stanley and of gentlemen who have put down Persian lines, Sir F. Goldsmith & others. The only one who is dead against the proposal is Sir Samuel Baker. He thinks that the Shillooks, Denkas, Nouers &c. would never for a moment stand the temptation because the iron would be as valuable to them as gold is to us. However I am anxious to have your candid opinion. ...... Does Col. Gordon think it practicable". An exceptional letter and rare early cover to Sudan. Photo on Page 230. (Image1)

1880 (Dec 12) Letter written and signed by Col. C.E Gordon, sent within London to Sir Charles Wilson. Gordon requests an amusing number of "L'Egypte".

1883 (Jan 14) Egypt 20pa postcard from Col. C.E Gordon in Port Said to W. Mackinnon in Scotland, "we arrived on the 11 Jany and go to Jerusalem via Jaffa today", initialled "C.E.G". Mackinnon was founder of the British East Africa Co., and advised Gordon to accept the offer of King Leopold to go to the Congo to fight slavery. Gordon spent 1883 in Palestine, and then intended to go to the Congo but was despatched by the British Government to the Soudan to try to rescue Egyptian garrisons before Soudan was abandoned. Ex. Firebrace. Photo on Page 238. (Image1)

Samuel Baker. 1883 (Feb 1) Cover addressed to "Giegler Pacha, Khartoum, Soudan per Major General Hicks", the enclosed letter written and signed by Samuel Baker from Shepherds Hotel in Cairo. Baker introduces Col. Hicks, Major-General in the service of the Khedive who, in command, will organise the British troops and form a Turkish Battalion, and then discusses the crisis in Soudan - "I cannot see how the troops in Darfur and Kordofan can be relieved as it would be impossible to send a sufficient force across the desert now that the wells are destroyed. Should the troops at Obeid and Bara be forced to capitulate the effect upon the forces at Khartoum and throughout the Soudan would be serious and might be a severe test of their loyalty. I have advised that a great Sheik a true descendent of the Prophet should be sent up to the Soudan to preach to the people and to arrange a counter-movement to that of the Mahdi .....". An important letter, ex. Rossiter and Firebrace.

1883 (July 28) Letter from Major-General Hicks, Commander of the Egyptian forces, to the Editor of the Graphic informing him that Col. Colburne has returned to England, and he has recommended Mr Vizetelli to send sketches from Khartoum to the editor. Hicks was killed at the Battle of Kashgil on November 3rd, where the Mahdi's forces destroyed an Egyptian army of 10,000. Also a print of Hicks. A scarce autograph, ex. Firebrace. (2).

Perf 11½ 1 rose, 2 orange, 5 green, 5 brown, 10 violet and 20 blue-grey 'stamps' depicting a smoking man with concubines behind, inscribed "MAHDI, POSTES DU SOUDAN", values in black, mint, also 20 blue stationery envelope (150x122mm), a scarce bogus issue. (7). Photo on Page 236. (Image1)

1884 (Feb 18) Egypt 20pa postcard written by General Gordon on the day he entered Khartoum, addressed to Jerusalem with "KHARTOUM" c.d.s (Feb. 19) below the stamp, datestamps of Assiout (Mar. 8), Cairo, Alexandria, and Jerusalem. Gordon writes "just arrived Khartoum having left London on 18.1.84 & Haifa 18.12.83, have had capital voyage........". Gordon had spent most of 1883 in Palestine. Minor creasing and small edge tear, a unique card, ex. Firebrace. Photo on Page 238. (Image1)

1884 (Feb 19) Egypt 20pa postcard to the USA, from an American tourist at Luxor written the day after Gordon entered Khartoum, the message includes "we hear lots of talk about el mahdi. It is believed by some if the English do not act promptly he will march into Lower Egypt, however at present things are very quiet & the natives do not believe in him", horizontal fold.

1884 (Aug 26) Letter written and signed by General Gordon on both sides of a small piece of thin paper (135x137mm), rather crumpled, clearly folded up and smuggled out of the besieged town. To "Senior Office R.N Massawah", it includes "we have (thank God) succeeded taking Arab camp and killing Arab Commander in Chief ..... this victory clears our vicinity in three parts of circle, the Arab defeat may be put down to a defection of a part of their forces who came over to us at moment of attack. The naval forces behaved splendidly ..... Spies from Kordofan report advance of Mahdi with 26 guns towards Khartoum .....", signed "C.E. Gordon" with his blue Arab seal handstamp alongside. An exceptional Gordon letter, smuggled out of besieged Khartoum by a native messenger, probably hidden in his hair or clothing, very rare, ex. Firebrace. Photo included on Back Cover. (Image1)

Banknote. 1884 20pi Banknote issued in Khartoum during the siege, printed on card, hectographed Gordon signature and blue seal handstamp, unusually fine. Photo on Page 238. (Image1)

Banknote. 1884 100pi Banknote issued in Khartoum during the siege, printed on card, signed by Gordon with his blue seal handstamp and circular "GOUVERNORAT GENERAL DU SOUDAN", unusually fine. Photo on Page 238. (Image1)

Medal. 1884 General Gordon's Star for the Siege of Khartoum, in pewter, sewn onto red cloth with blue edges, contained in an old fitted case with enclosed note "medal made by Gen. Gordon for his troops in Khartoum. Brought by me at Metemmeh from a Bazouk in 1885", very fine.

Cabinet photos (2) and cdv photos (2) of Gordon, one showing him in Chinese costume, and one other photo, also a small piece signed on both sides by Gordon. (6).

Postcards, covers, etc., including 1885 letter (with cover) from H.W Gordon thanking Charles Dyson for his sympathy on the death of General Gordon, 1885 (Feb. 5) telegram announcing the fall of Khartoum, 1907 letter from Sir Charles Dilke (a prominent member of Gladstone's cabinet in 1884) discussing Gordon, 1889 and 1911 "National Memorial to General Gordon" covers postally used (the first with enclosed letter and receipt), Sudan 1935 Gordon death anniversary set mint, etc. (24).

Death of General Gordon commemorative medallion, inscribed "General C.G Gordon, C.B, R.E, The latest Christian Martyr", white metal, 46mm.

Wooden matchbox presented by Captain Sir Henry Seymour Rawlinson to General Sir Archibald Hunter, the sides with silver edges hallmarked AB & Sons, London 1910, the lid with applied silver lettering "A.H from H.S.R Nov. 1st 1910", a match striker in front, a silver plaque inside the lid engraved "This wood was taken from the Door of Gordons Palace at Khartoum on Sept. 4th 1898 by H.S.R". An interesting and unique Khartoum relic; Hunter commanded the Egyptian Division in the Nile Expedition of 1896-98, Rawlinson served in the cavalry and was a member of Kitcheners staff during the 1898 expedition. 8½x7x6cm.

1883-84 Official letters from Cairo, an 1883 (Nov 26) letter to General Valentine Baker, Inspector General of Egyptian Police, notifying him that his force comes under the command of the Ministry of War; and 1884 (Feb 11) letter signed by Charles Baker on behalf of Valentine Baker on Egyptian Police notepaper, to Col. Arthur Harrington, Chief of Staff, Soudan Field Force, Souakin, forwarding the Nov. 26th letter. Valentine Baker arrived in Souakin with a force of 3,650 native troops in Dec. 1883, but was defeated at El Teb on 4th February 1884; the British Government then undertook the defence of Suakin. Ex Firebrace. (2).

1884 Cover to England headed "From M. Sullivan, Skilled Shipwt, H.M.S Euryalus, Suakin", countersigned with handstamped signature of E. Rolfe, a G.B 2d stamp paying the 1d concession rate + 1d ship letter gratuity, cancelled by "PLYMOUTH / SHIP LETTER" c.d.s (Feb. 6). A naval brigade led by Commander E.M Rolfe from H.M.S "Euryalus" formed part of the first Suakin Expedition; they distinguished themselves at the British victory at El Teb on 29th February. Flap missing and minor edge faults but very scarce, ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 238. (Image1)

1884 (Feb 29) Stampless cover from Capt. P.F Durham, 10th Prince of Wales Own Royal Hussars, to his wife in London. Endorsed "Stamps not procurable" with "SOUAKIN" c.d.s and boxed "T", single rate "2½" charge mark, backstamped at Suez and London. Reverse endorsed "Posted El Teb the night of the battle 29 Feb 1884". Fine and scarce, ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 238. (Image1)

1884 (July 31) Egypt 20pa postcard from Lt. J.M Hawtayne, N. Staffs Regt., to London cancelled "SOUAKIN" c.d.s, a second superb strike on the front, August 12th arrival datestamp. The message includes "we have had two exciting nights lately. Killed 17 rebels & dont know how many wounded. There is a live general out here now so things are looking up & it looks like Khartoum very soon for some of us". Vertical fold, very scarce, ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 238. (Image1)

1884 (Oct 9) Stampless cover endorsed from "Cochrane Capt. Commanding Detachment 2nd Life Guards" with Alexandria Ras-El-Tin star and crescent datestamp, single rate "2½" charge mark, to Lady Cochrane at Abergele. Lord Cochrane commended a Detachment of 40 men and two officers, one of ten detachments which arrived at Alexandria on the "Deccan" on Oct 7th to form the Heavy Camel Regt in the Camel Corps. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 240. (Image1)

1885 (Jan 8) Cover to "The Secretary, Marylebone Club, Lords Cricket Ground, London" endorsed from "L.M Carmichael Major, Comg 5 Lancers, Heavy Camel Regt", two 20pa on 5pi stamps cancelled with the scarce "DONGOLA" star and crescent c.d.s with straight line name, a second strike alongside, January 27th backstamp. The cover inscribed "N.B Major Carmichael was killed at the Battle of Abu Klea Wells", ten days after this cover was posted and before its receipt in London. Also a reproduction illustration of Carmichael. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 240. (Image1)