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Auction: 4010 - Stamps & Covers of South East Asia inc the Dr Cheah Way Mun Collection of Perak
Lot: 826

LABUAN Pre-Stamp and Early Letters 1845 (19 Aug.) entire letter from Lt. J.A. Gordon of H.M.S. Espiegle via Southampton to Capt. Dixon in London, rated "1/-" and showing, on reverse, Hong Kong transit c.d.s. across flap and two London d.s. in red. A long and interesting letter started on 19 August when H.M.S. Espiegle first sighted Cape Baram, and was continued when they anchored at the mouth of the river leading to Brunei two days later. Believed to be the earliest letter known from north-west Borneo in private hands. Photo Estimate S$ 10,000-12,000 Note: Lt. Gordon was present at the flag raising ceremony on the island of Labuan on 24 December 1846, as Captain of H.M.S. Wolf, when the cession of the island by the Sultan of Brunei to Captain Rodney Mundy, R.N.., on behalf of Queen Victoria, was promulgated The site chosen for the new town named Victoria proved to be very swampy, and prone to malaria. Gordon was the first of many to catch the fever there, before the site was properly drained, and died on 6 January 1847. He was buried on the island, where his gravestone may still be seen

Sold for
SG$8,500