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Auction: 24028 - Stamps and Covers of British Africa
Lot: 1003

(x) Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902
The Steven Walske Collection of the Boer War Sieges
Siege of Mafeking: 13 October 1899 to 17 May 1900
Early Mail, 13 October 1899 to 23 March 1900
1899 (6 Nov.) "on her majesty's service" envelope originating in Mafeking, with "Office of the Resident Magistrate" imprint at lower left, to Bournemouth, carried through the Mafeking siege to Kuruman, where two Cape ½d. were clearly tied by "kuruman/bechuanaland" c.d.s. The letter was held in Kuruman and released after both the sieges of Mafeking and Kuruman, showing "southampton/packet letter" d.s. (4.8) alongside with arrival datestamp on reverse. A note on the inside of the flap states "This letter was sent out by runner during the siege" and is signed W.A. Hayes, a physician on Baden-Powell's staff; some light creases. The letter was trapped in the 13 Nov. - 1 Jan. siege of Kuruman, and the subsequent Boer occupation until 24 June 1900. One of only two documented covers that departed Mafeking, passing through Kuruman; -both are offered in this sale-. It represents a significant and exceptional historical artifact, involving two towns that were besieged by the Boers. Photo

Note: Edward Ross's diary of the Mafeking Siege records that some letters were sent out by special runner via Kuruman, 190 miles west of Mafeking, during October 1899. This letter was trapped in the November 13, 1899 to June 24, 1900 Kuruman siege and Boer occupation, and it was finally forwarded to Cape Town, where it left on July 18 aboard the Union Castle Line’s "Carisbrook Castle".

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

Sold for
£2,400

Starting price
£400