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Auction: 24028 - Stamps and Covers of British Africa
Lot: 1012

(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
The Southern Route via Kimberley
1900 (30 Mar.) envelope addressed in the hand of Winston Churchill to his mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, in London and sent by his aunt, Lady Sarah Wilson, who was married to Captain Gordon Wilson and has crossed into Mafeking on 7 December to be with her husband, who had brought the envelope with her, bearing seriffed overprint British Bechuanaland 6d. on 3d. lilac tied by Mafeking c.d.s. On leaving Mafeking the runner was captured along with the mail which was held by the Boers until it was recovered a month later. It was then brought back into Mafeking and left again on the 4 May and showing Bulawayo (on reverse; 13.5) and Cape Town (4.6) transit datestamps. On arrival in London, it was determined that Winston’s mother, Lady Randolph Spencer Churchill, had left to assist on the hospital ship Maine at Southampton, so the letter was forwarded there; however, the Maine had left for South Africa, and the letter followed her back to Cape Town. The envelope a little soiled and with central vertical fold. A most fascinating and rare cover. Brandon Certificate (1982). Photo

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

Estimate
£3,000 to £4,000

Starting price
£2400