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Auction: 23025 - Historical Documents, Postal History & Autographs
Lot: 295

(x) Somalia
1844 or 1849 Letter written in an Arabic script by Muhammad ibn al-Marhum al-Jarrad to Sharmarke bin Ali Salih, Governor of Zeyla. Comprising two independent but connected texts, it informs about the good state of health of the writer and family, that Zayla and the region are peaceful and quiet; confirms the arrival of guns and mentions finances and the shipment of goods.
Sharmarke Ali Saleh was a 19th century Somali leader, captain and wealthy merchant. The explorer Richard Burton was his guest in 1855 and described him vividly. A powerful leader, he signed a commercial treaty with the British East India Company and was influential in the region. In 1861 he was implicated by the French in the murder of their agent at Aden. Arrested and charged and was transported to Constantinople to face trial, but he died on the journey in unclear circumstances (210x250mm, slight tear in the centre not affecting the text)
The letter appears to have been folded eight times, with what could be an address panel on an outer fold.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£350