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Auction: 22016 - Important Stamps and Covers of the World
Lot: 32

(x) Bechuanaland
Military Mail
The Bechuanaland or Langerberg Campaign
1897 unstamped Officer's envelope to Scotland, marked "On active service. No stamps available", showing part Kuruman datestamp (17.3), manuscript "T", London "1d/f.b./b." h.s. (deleted) and octagonal-framed "t/25c"; the envelope a little stained. Photo

Note: With the outbreak of Rinderpest in mid 1896 the Cape Government decided to shoot local cattle to prevent the spread of the disease. The natives resisted this and gathered in the Langeberg mountains. A force under Col. Dalgety of the Cape Mounted Rifles left Cape Town on 27 December 1896 to take control and to settle the problem. In February 1897 the force was beaten back with two killed. Volunteers were called out and a detachment of Prince Edward's Guard left for the front on 25 February. The force concentrated at Kuruman before moving to a base camp at Bishopswood near the Langerberg mountains. A first attempt on the Langeberg failed and the force waited at Bishopswood for reinforcements before making a successful second attack on 30 July.

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

Sold for
£380

Starting price
£240