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Auction: 16036 - West Africa Pre-U.P.U. Postal History, The John Sacher Collection
Lot: 1285

Gold Coast
Military Mail
Ashanti War 1873-74 Expedition
1873 group of letters (3) written by Sir Garnet Wolseley, all headed "Cape Coast Castle" and dated 20 October and 20 November 1873, and 16 February 1874, containing detailed accounts of the Ashanti war at various stages, a particular highlight is Wolseley detailing the inadequacies of locally recruited troops; "all fired so recklessly in every direction that I expected to be shot by my own men every minute whilst our fight lasted". Also "The African Herald" (an English language newspaper produced by natives) dated 1871 (7Jan.), sent to Freetown Sierra Leone, marked "unpaid". Fascinating and important correspondence. A wonderful group.

provenance:
Robson Lowe (Whitfield), December 1978

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Sold for
£2,200