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Auction: 26019 - Stamps and Covers of Great Britain
Lot: 1025

(x) Great Britain
Postal History
"Hast Hast Post Hast" - The Battle of Kentish Knock - First Anglo Dutch War
1652 (2 November) entire letter with integral address panel headed "Ffor the Service of ye State", from Robert Blake "To my worthy friends the Commissioners of the Navy Sitting on Tower Hill, London", marked "hast hast post hast and signed "Rob: Blake" who has dated it "Stoakesbay 2 November 1652 at night". The reverse flaps, now folded out and well flattened, bear the messenger's endorsements:

"Eastleigh at fiyv in the morning
(?) 2nd November
Alton at four in the forrnoon
(?)
Staines past five at night
[Signed] Phi[lip] Hatley"

Contents of this hurried and somewhat rushed letter report on days of struggle at sea battling storms while engaged in war at sea with the Dutch fleets in the First Anglo-Dutch War:

""… Myself and 16 more with mee, having had great stormes which the men beganne to fit and revittuall [?] against my returne; some were not able to keep way with the convey, being defective, which I sent backe to Portsmouth the Pellican, Swallow, Mary Flieboate … and the Swordfish wherein I was split her bowsprit and foremast with great danger to her Mainemast; whereupon we were forced to anchor some 4 leagues off ye White [where they stayed the night] and through the assistance of God by next morning wee had got up a good Mast, out men taking great paynes all night; the Worcester was forced to putt back, and the night after, with the Admiral Warwick and Sampson came to anchor under Hollens point, bringing with them two Hollanders [Dutch Prisoners of War] laden from Malaga with wine and fruite … there are some Hollanders besides and many others which I intend to bring along with mee soe soone as ye vessels are in a capacity to move Eastwards … the state of our part of ye fleete as are this way I send you here inclosed; and I would bee very gladd to heare from you upon all occasions; whose directions [?] would add much to ye carrying on of ye present service in this soe needfull a time; wee are in great lack of provisions … and by our answeres fully informe you of what state is aboard".

Very fine and a most important letter.


Notes: Robert Blake (1598-1657), General at Sea (1649-1657)
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1656-1657).
Blake's squadron had been engaged at this time with the Dutch in the First Anglo Dutch war. In the month before this letter, the English fleet had engaged at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, after which the fleet was badly damaged and struggling to regroup. Blake's fleet would encounter the Dutch under Maarten Tromp off Portland the day after this letter was written. Blake would later become Admiral under the Commonwealth and is regarded second only to Nelson in British Naval History.


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

Estimate
£8,000 to £10,000

Starting price
£6500