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Auction: 24011 - Stamps and Covers of Great Britain and the World
Lot: 2544

(x) Great Britain
Postal History
1799 (16 October) entire letter from Zype, Holland from a British Officer to a fellow Officer in Woolwich, charged 6d. and struck on the face with superb "[crown] / army bag" handstamp with London transit markings on the reverse. A wonderful item of notable quality, this being among the best strikes of this exceptionally rare mark.

Notes: Contents include a remarkable eye witness account of the Battle of Alkmaar on 6th October with comments including "having just returned from action which was most severe and tho we beat the enemy we were compelled to fall back to our old position where we remain at present … the Infantry had a most fatiguing day, the sand hills were obtained with great fatigue and slaughter, and at sunset both armies ceased so fatigued they were incapable of renewing the attack the following day" … "We have had four very serious engagements, the loss of Officers I consider is near 300, in men with rankings is about 9000, I mean British, the Russians have lost half their force and the better half, as the remainder are a poor miserable lot … all our sick and wounded are embarking, it has been a glorious expedition".

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

Sold for
£3,200

Starting price
£2000