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Auction: 24028 - Stamps and Covers of British Africa
Lot: 1008

(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 - Pre-Stamp Mail
1900 (23 Mar.) small envelope from Commander Hofman of the Town Guard to his wife in London, endorsed "To whom this might happen to receive: Please Post" and showing red London Paid arrival d.s. (15.6) with Kimberley Station transit c.d.s. (25.5) on reverse. Interesting contents including "…I expect our troubles will be over in less than 3 weeks. We are all happy here in spite of the shells & bullets, some of the shells now & again making us hasten over our dinner. But we are quite used to these things now & think nothing of the bullets whizzing in all directions…". The latest mail of just fifteen recorded pre-stamp covers from the Mafeking siege, sent on the day an organized civilian mail service was initiated, March 23, 1900. Photo

Note: This letter was carried out of besieged Mafeking by a courier who was captured by the Boers. The letter was confiscated and held in the Boer trenches until recovered by the relief force, which endorsed it "Mafeking Siege Relieved 17.5/00 On Active Service" for a military free frank. Conveyed from Cape Town to Southampton by the Union castle Line's "Norman"

provenance:
Ken Griffith, October 2001

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

Sold for
£800

Starting price
£800