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Auction: 22012 - The Philatelic Collector's Series - e-Auction
Lot: 2757

(x) Straits Settlements
Early Letters and Handstamps
Singapore
1811 (17 Aug.) inter-ship despatch marked "On His Majesty's Service" from Rear Admiral Stopford headed "His Majesty's Ship Scipion, Batavia Roads", addressed to "Captain Wood, Commander of the Hugh Ingles East Indiaman, Batavia Roads". A rare early letter from Singapore

Note: In 1805, Scipion was part of Admiral Villeneuve's fleet. She took part in the Battle of Cape Finisterre and was one of Rear Admiral Pierre Dumanoir le Pelley's ships at the Battle of Trafalgar. On 4 November 1805, in the Battle of Cape Ortegal she was captured and was commissioned in the Royal Navy as HMS Scipion.

On 8 October 1810 she sailed for the Cape of Good Hope and then the East Indies. In 1811 Captain James Johnson took command. Stopford's fleet consisted of four sail of the line (including Scipion), thirteen frigates, seven sloops and eight cruisers of the East India Company, captured the island of Java on 18 September 1811. In 1847, the surviving members of the expedition were awarded the Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Java".

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

Sold for
£700

Starting price
£240