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Auction: 1028 - The "Wilkin" Collection of British West Africa Postal History and British Africa Stamps from the Vestey Collection
Lot: 119

Gold Coast The Ashanti Wars The 1824 - 1826 Conflict In 1824 the British were defeated at Essamako and their leader, Sir Charles M´Carthy (then Governor of Cape Coast) was killed, his skull being used as the royal drinking cup by the enemy. The campaign continued until the Ashanti were finally defeated at Dodowah in 1826. The River Prah was fixed as the boundary and all the tribes south of it passed to British protection. 1824 (15 August) entire letter, written by C. Robison at Cape Coast Castle to his uncle, Captain Robison of the Light Dragoons at London, marked "On His Majesty´s Service", rated "1/4" and showing step-type "portsmouth/ship letter" with arrival datestamp (22.11) on reverse, both in red. The lengthy letter (transcription included) tells of the action of July 1824 when the Ashantis were forced to retire, but Lt. Swanzy of the Royal African Colonial Corps was killed. Extremely rare, believed to be the earliest known military letter from the Ashanti Wars. Photo Estimate £ 3,000-4,000

Sold for
£2,800