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Auction: 25027 - Stamps and Covers of Great Britain
Lot: 2035

(x) Great Britain
Postal History
Admiralty
Acquisition of Bombay and East India Club
1665 (18 April) entire letter from George Monck, Duke of Albemarle, from "Cock-pitt" with address panel reading "For my worthy friends the Principall Officers & Com[missioners] of his Maj[esty]'s Navy", the reverse with filing endorsement reading "For ye East India Company disbursements for 4 ... left by ye Earle of Marlborough to be allowed"; contents relate to the authorising of £400 to the East India Co. to re-imburse its expenses smoothing the passage across the land bridge to India of a Royal Group, led by the Earl of Marlborough who was authorised to take possession of Bombay on behalf of Charles II. Fine and a most important early letter.

provenance:
Wiseman
Jay

Notes: Despite Charles II's marriage to the Portuguese, Catherine of Braganza, which was subject to a dowry inlcuding Tangier and Bombay. The local Portuguese would not release Bombay to the privately owned East India Company, meaning that it was necessary for the Company to be acquired for the Crown.

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

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£300