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Auction: 21135 - The 'Ruby' Collection of Burma Postal History
Lot: 389

(x) Burma
Military Mail
Second Burmese War, 1852-54
1854 (10 Jan.) soldier's entire letter from Prome to London, headed "From Pte G. Jones...Company 2nd E.B.F", countersigned by Commanding Officer, rated "2", showing framed "india" in red and, on reverse, "rangoon/free/ship letter" (Type SL10) partly overstruck by red Calcutta G.P.O. Ship Letter (11.9; date inverted) and London arrival datestamps; on delivery in London the letter missent and showing Stepney "sy" h.s. The fascinating contents include "We are...short distance from the boundaries of the King of Burma an near the limits of his territory which has been annexed by the British as a compensation for the expenses of the late war....the Regiment are continually going out to apprehend robbers & disperse bodies of armed men who are roving about the country...Since my arrival, the Commissioner...was murdered by the Burmese in his bed..a party of 50 men (me amongst the number) were ordered to...a village about 15 miles distant and try and apprehend them. We started, mounted on elephants, last after midnight..we succeeded in capturing about 50 robbers, but the murderers had escaped.".The entire a little soiled. (with transcript)

provenance:
Derek Filby, December 2017

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£800

Starting price
£800