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Auction: 22023 - Stamps and Covers of Great Britain
Lot: 6

(x) Great Britain
Postal History
A Superb Civil War Spy Report
1644 (16 Feb.) entire letter from Alresford (the sender's name excised) to London with integral address panel reading " To his honoured friend Major Watson at his Lodgeings in Watling-Street at the Princes armes. These humbly present, London", further endorsed "Scoutmaster Gen[era]ll to, the Earl of Manchester". In his report, the sender outlines the movements of troops in Cheriton: "Sir William Waller is at Petersfield. I think there nether cane nor wile any advance towards Weymouth ... it seems my lord of Essex reffussed wilfully and marcht away towards London: yesterday about 60 horse from Winchester came not in a mile & halfe of Alsford. I heer Sr William Wallers Regiment of Draggoons are to Offington where 7 or 8 troopers were drinking .. but not heard so far how many they had taken". A letter with fascinating and important historical insight; a rare example of a Parliamentarian spy report which includes notes in a third hand.

Note: The Battle of Cheriton took place on the 29th March, 1644.

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

Sold for
£2,600

Starting price
£450