Sale 12

Spring 2022 Sale


Cape of Good Hope Part II - Exhibition Collection
 
 
Lot Photo Description Bidding
Lot 217
Used to Holland: 1865 (9 Jan.) single rate buff envelope from Grahamstown to Amsterdam bearing 1d deep carmine red, just clear to large margins in combination with 1864-77 1s green both lightly tied by barred oval "3" handstamps, large magenta manuscript "1/-" in center (credit to U.K.), 1d credit to the Cape with 2 Dutch cents (manuscript "2") postage due from recipient, backstamped Grahamstown JA 9, 1865, Cape Town and London transits with Amsterdam receiver of 17 March 1865, envelope with part of back flap missing. Attractive and important combination issue franking., ex "Franschhoek.",ex Dillaway. SG 18,26a.
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

Since no rectangular adhesives were delivered to the Eastern Province before January 1865, this represents the earliest known usage of the 1s in the Eastern Province.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$2,400
Lot 218
Used to the United States: 1865 (12 Mar.) single rate cover from the Howland correspondence from Port Elizabeth to Boston bearing 4d steel blue, two copies, mostly with just clear to large margins in combination with 1864-77 1s green (some trimmed perfs.), all three attractively canceled by barred oval "2" handstamps (one 4d additionally tied by Port Elizabeth c.d.s.). Cover is endorsed "Per Steamer from Cape Town Via England" and bears Cape Town and London transits of 15 March and 27 April with Boston British Packet receiver of 3 May, red crayon "16" (16c credit to England) with 5c inland postage due from the recipient, with all markings being on the front, cover is a little fragile (certificate calls it "splitting in places)." Extremely Rare., ex Dillaway; Peter Holcombe Cert. (1985). SG 19c, 26a.
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500

The ½ oz. 1s 8d, Packet rate to America was introduced in 1864.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$2,400
Lot 219
Used to England: 1865 (18 Mar.) Mourning envelope from Grahamstown to London endorsed "Via Marseille" bearing 4d steel-blue, good to large margins in combination with 1864-77 1s green on the overland eastern postal route via Mauritius and Marseille, both canceled by barred oval "3" handstamps, cover backstamped with double oval GRAHAMSTOWN/MR 18/1865 town date stamp with red London receiver of 6 May 1865 on front. Rare., ex Bonaventure, ex Dillaway (SG 19c, 262).
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$1,450
Lot 220
Used to India: 1865 (19 Oct.) Cover from Grahamstown to Umballa, Bengal endorsed "Via Mauritius," bearing 4d blue, two singles and a pair, margins cut-in, and touching to large and 1864-77 1d rose-red (2, one wing margin), all tied by barred oval "3" handstamps and paying the 1s 6d rate via Mauritius, cover backstamped Port Elizabeth and Calcutta transits of 29 October and 2 January 1866 with Umballa receiver of 8 January 1866. Extremely Rare. (SG 19a, 23a) Peter Holcombe Cert. (1985) with observation"Very unusual franking and its extremely rare destination.", ex Dillaway. SG 19a, 23a.
Estimate $4,000 - 5,000.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$1,900
Lot 221
Used to Natal: 1865 (14 Nov.) Mourning cover from Grahamstown via Port Elizabeth (15 Nov.) to Natal at the ship letter rate of 6d introduced in 1864 bearing 1855-63 4d blue, cut in at right and 1864-77 1d rose-red (2) all tied by barred oval "3" handstamps, cover backstamped GRAHAMSTOWN NO 14 65 c.d.s. and PORT ELIZABETH NO 15 65 transit c.d.s. Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 6,23a.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

The letter is addressed to His Excellency Colonel J. Bisset, the Lieut - Governor of Natal from 1865-67. He arrived at the Cape as a boy, joined the military at the age of 15 and rose to command the Cape Mounted Rifles.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$950
Lot 222
Inland Local Rate: 1867 (31 Jan.) Port Elizabeth local rate cover (small envelope to Port Eliz. Fire Ass(urance) Co, Main St.) bearing 1855-63 1d rose, mostly large margins, close at bottom,and just tied by barred oval "2" handstamp, Port Elizabeth Jan 31 1867 c.d.s. alongside, very fine and attractive. Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 5s.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

The local penny post was made effective for Port Elizabeth from 23 April 1861. From 1862 a further Ordnance extended the privilege at the discretion of the Governor to within the limits of any City or Town or a reasonable distance therefrom. The prerequisite for this reduced service was postal communication at least twice daily. The concession was gradually extended – mainly in the Cape Town area but also on the Eastern Frontier – and ultimately included Field Cornet Districts.
One of three covers known, this being the only one in this period.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$950
Lot 223
Registered mail: 1866 (26 Nov.) double rate folded letter sheet from Graaff-Reinet to Colesberg bearing 1864-77 4d blue pair (wing margin at left) and 6d pale lilac (wing margin at right), all tied by small triangular obliterator, endorsed ms. "Registered" and bears faint COLESBERG DE 3 66 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. receiver at top, backstamped red double oval GRAAFF REINETT NO 28 1866 town datestamp, lovely, intact red wax seal of the South African Central Bank Graaff Reinet on flap, scarce, ex Dillaway (SG 24a, 25).
Estimate $200 - 300

The barred oval numeral canceller had not yet been issued to Graaff Reinet, the earliest date of use being 22 October 1867. Interestingly all stamps are scissor-cut notwithstanding the perforations, a legacy from the imperforate Triangulars.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 224
Registered mail: 1868 (6 Aug.) double rate folded letter sheet from Graaff-Reinet to Middelburg bearing 1864-77 4d pale blue pair and 6d deep lilac, tied by "18" BONC handstamps, cover endorsed "Registered" and bears red double oval GRAAFF-REINETT AU 6 1868 town datestamp at top center, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 24,25a.
Estimate $200 - 300

The two double rate folded covers above, both additionally franked with the 6d. adhesive clearly set apart to show payment of the registration fee introduced in 1855.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 225
1869 (11 Aug.) folded letter from Port Elizabeth to Willowmore bearing 1868 4d on 6d deep lilac, tied by barred oval "2" handstamp, bears PORT ELIZABETH AU 11 69 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., backstamped double oval AVONTUUR AU 12 1869 town datestamp and double circle WILLOW AU 13 1869 c.d.s. receiver, scarce, ex Dillaway. SG 27 (0).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 226
1869 (20 Nov.) another folded letter from Port Elizabeth to Willowmore bearing 1868 4d on 6d deep lilac (wing margin at right) tied by barred oval "2" handstamp, bears PORT ELIZABETH NO 29 69 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., cover backstamped double oval AVONTUUR DE 2 1869 town datestamp and double circle WILLOW DE 3 1869 c.d.s. receiver on front, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 27.
Estimate $200 - 300

A misunderstanding between the postal authorities and the treasury department resulted in a shortage of 4d stamps. This shortage was critical because the private ship rate and the registration fee had both been reduced from 6d to 4d. As the mail steamer rate had also been increased from 6d to 1s there was a surplus of 6d stamps available for surcharging.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 227
Barred Oval Numeral Canceller (BONC): 1869 (30 Nov.) single rate folded letter from Port Elizabeth to Willowmore bearing 1864-77 1d carmine-red pair and two singles, tied by barred oval "2" handstamps, cover bears PORT-ELIZABETH NO 30 69 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. additionally tying one stamp, backstamped with double oval AVONTUUR DE 2 1869 town datestamp transit, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 23.
Estimate $300 - 400.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 228
Missent to Grahamstown: 1871 (17 Aug) envelope from Post Retief at the correct 1d rate to Fort Beaufort bearing 1864-77 1d carmine red (small edge placement faults) tied by large triangular obliterator, bears double oval POST RETIEF AU 17 1871 town datestamp and double oval FORT BEAUFORT SP 8 1871 town datestamp with "7d More to pay" endorsement at top (3d for the balance of the inland rate plus 4d postage due). The explanation is fascinating: the cover was missent to Grahamstown arriving there after 15 days (hence GRAHAMS-TOWN AU 31 71 CAPE-COLONY c.d.s. backstamp), it ultimately reached Fort Beaufort nine days later and was inexplicably marked "7d More to pay." Post Retief was only 30 miles from Fort Beaufort and the mishandling had resulted in a demand for additional postage and delivery 24 days after posting. The addressee refused acceptance resulting in Postmistress Mrs M. E. Browning adding the manuscript notation to the cover at left "Refused by Mr T. Quin on account of excessive postage and having been sent to G. T. before coming to Fort Beaufort" and returning the cover to Cape Town (hence CAPE-TOWN SP 11 71 CAPE-COLONY c.d.s.). Cover with back flap missing but nevertheless an incredibly well traveled cover. Rare., Ex Goldblatt, Dillaway. SG 23.
Estimate $300 - 400.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 229
Postcart letter: 1873 (28 Feb.) Mourning envelope from Aberdeen to Graaff-Reinet bearing 1864-77 4d blue, canceled by small triangular obliterator, bears lovely adjacent double oval ABERDEEN FE 28 1873 and GRAAFF-REINETT MR 1 1873 town datestamps, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 24a.
Estimate $150 - 200

Carried on Route 20 which departed from Aberdeen at 2 pm every Tuesday for arrival at 9 pm the same day in Graaff Reinet.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 230
Double Arc Datestamp: 1873 (4 June) blue envelope from King Williams Town to Queenstown bearing 1864-77 4d deep blue, tied by barred oval "4" handstamp overstruck by double arc KING WILLIAMS TOWN JU 4 1873 c.d.s. repeated on reverse which also bears faint but readable QUEENSTOWN JU 5 1873 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. receiver, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 24c.
Estimate $150 - 200

Unusual usage of both devices to cancel the stamp.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 231
Double Arc Datestamp: 1875 (19 Mar.) envelope from Fort Beaufort to Graaff-Reinet bearing 1864-74 4d deep blue, tied by lightly struck small triangular obliterator and much heavier "18" BONC, bears double arc FORT BEAUFORT MR 19 1875 c.d.s. with Alice and Bedford double oval town datestamps of 19-20 March 1875 on front and double oval GRAAFF-REINETT MR 23 1875 town datestamp on reverse, cover with small mend at top, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 24c.
Estimate $150 - 200

Here the stamp is cancelled by two cancelling devices.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 232
Redirected incoming mail from England: 1875 (15 Sep. and 21 Sep.) A matching pair of envelopes from Nottingham, England to Grahamstown redirected to Port Elizabeth, first with love contents, written six days apart to the writer’s fiancé and which have remained together for over 145 years. The first cover, endorsed "Per R.M.S. Sept 15:1875" bearing Great Britain 1873-80 1s green plate 11 tied by "583" of NOTTINGHAM SP 15 75 duplex and Cape 1864-77 4d blue cancelled by barred oval "3," paying the redirection fee within the Colony, bears CAPE TOWN OC 15 75 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., backstamped LONDON SP 15 75 c.d.s., Grahamstown transits of 17-18 October 1875 and Port Elizabeth receiver of 20 October 1875, tiny stamp and cover faults. The second cover, endorsed "Per Donald Currie Mail SP 21 1875" bearing Great Britain 1865-73 4d vermilion plate 14 cancelled by "583" of NOTTINGHAM SP 21 75 duplex and Cape 1864-77 4d blue tied by barred oval "3" handstamp, cover bears CAPE TOWN OC 17 75 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., backstamped DARTMOUTH SP 22 75 c.d.s., Grahamstown transits of 22-23 October 1875 and Port Elizabeth receiver of 25 October 1875, small mend at top. Rare couple, ex Dillaway. SG GB 94,150, 24a.
Estimate $300 - 400

A remarkable pair of covers showing the alternating shipping schedules of the Currie Line and the mail steamers of the Union Steamship Co.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 233
Double Arc Datestamp: 1876 (10 Sep.) envelope from Graaff- Reinet to Wheatlands bearing 1864-77 4d blue, canceled by "18" BONC, bears WHEATLANDS 1876 SP 11 c.d.s., backstamped with GRAAFF REINET SP 10 76 origin c.d.s., scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 24a.
Estimate $150 - 200

The post office in this small farming village near Graaff-Reinet was opened as Wheatlands, Buffels Hoek on 30 November 1858. Only this datestamp shows the year slug above the month and day slugs.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 234
Double Arc Datestamp: 1876 (20 Sep.) cover from Balfour to Queenstown bearing 1864-77 4d blue, cancelled by lovely double arc BALFOUR SP 20 1876 – c.d.s., backstamped with faint QUEENSTOWN SP 21 76 c.d.s. receiver, scarce and very attractive., ex Dillaway. SG 24a.
Estimate $150 - 200

It has been suggested that this datestamp represented the first attempt at time control as the later datestamps of Balfour are seen with a numeral replacing the dash below the year slug.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 235
Double Arc Datestamp: 1876 (12 Oct.) envelope from Balfour to Queenstown bearing 1871-76 1d carmine-red strip of four, tied by two lovely strikes of BALFOUR OC 18 1876 c.d.s., repeated on reverse which also bears QUEENSTOWN OC 19 76 c.d.s. receiver, scarce and very attractive. Many examples from this correspondence have pin holes, NWM., ex Dillaway. SG 29.
Estimate $150 - 200.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 236
Dated Town Oval: 1876 (20 Dec.) envelope from Elands Post to Queenstown bearing 1864-77 4d blue, cancelled by lovely double oval ELANDS-POST DE 20 1876 datestamp, QUEENSTOWN DE 21 76 CAPE COLONY c.d.s receiver on reverse, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 24a.
Estimate $200 - 300

This village post office was opened in June 1853 and its name was changed to Seymour in 1883. The dated town oval was in use at Elands Post for 26 years, here being used as a canceller contrary to regulations.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 237
Penny Post: 1877 (15 Nov.) and 1880 (16 Mar.) Two Printed circulars from Port Elizabeth to Willowmore from the Fachse correspondence, delivered at the 1d rate, each bearing 1871-76 1d carmine-red, first canceled by PORT ELIZABETH NO 16 77 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. and bearing WILLOWMORE NO 20 77 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. with red double oval AVONTUUR NO 17 1877 town date stamp backstamp transit, second canceled by barred oval "2" handstamp, a very pretty pair., ex Dillaway. SG 29.
Estimate $150 - 200

This particular correspondence has provided much information on the early postal arrangements at Willowmore. The Agency was opened as Willow in 1860 and seven years later the name was changed to Willowmore. The "Willow" handstamp continued in use until 1873.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 238
1882 (30 May): envelope from Grahamstown to Port Alfred bearing 1880 "3" on 3d pale dull rose, error SURCHARGE INVERTED, canceled by barred oval "3" handstamp, cover (back flap missing, small tears) bears GRAHAMS TOWN MY 30 82 c.d.s. with Port Alfred next day receiver backstamp. Very Rare, Ex Dale-Lichtenstein., Dillaway. SG 37a.
Estimate $500 - 750.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$240
Lot 239
1882 (Aug.) envelope posted at the newly introduced 2d rate from Grahamstown to Buffelsfontein bearing 1871-76 1d carmine-red pair (double "G" overprint, type 17), tied by by GRAHAMSTOWN AU ? 82 squared circle c.d.s., cover bears faint Buffelsfontein receiver. Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 25b.
Estimate $300 - 400.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 240
Penny Post: 1882 (4 Dec.) double rate printed letter sheet from Uitenhage to Port Elizabeth bearing 1871-76 1d carmine-red pair, tied by "416" BONC, bears UITENHAGE DE 4 82 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. with faint same day Port Elizabeth receiver backstamp, very attractive, ex Dillaway. SG 29.
Estimate $150 - 200

Local rate 2d for a letter weighing more than ½oz. but less than 1oz.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 241
Registered mail: 1893 (1Sep.) registered envelope from Port Elizabeth to Cradock bearing 1893 1d on 2d deep bistre strip of three and two singles, tied by barred oval "2" handstamps, endorsed "Registered" and bears oval REGISTERED SP 1 93 PORT ELIZABETH datestamp with Cradock next day receiver backstamp, flap with Adolph Mosenthal & Co. Port Elizabeth embossed merchant’s oval, small mend at lower right, scarce provisional usage., ex Dillaway. SG 57a.
Estimate $150 - 200

The 1d rate per ½oz. was introduced in 1890.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 242
Redirected incoming printed matter from Transvaal: 1894 (17 Nov.) proxy form from The Mulder’s Farm Gold Mining Co. Ltd. Johannesburg to King Williams Town, forwarded to Queenstown bearing Transvaal 1, 1885-93 ½g grey cancelled and with Cape 1884-90 ½d black affixed on top, tied by unclear hooded circle datestamp of King Williams Town, backstamped with QUEENSTOWN DE 9 94 C.G.H. c.d.s., unusual., ex Dillaway. SG Transvaal 175, Cape 48.
Estimate $150 - 200.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 244
Registered mail: 1900 (3 Sep.) envelope from Zwagershoek (Somerset East) to Port Elizabeth bearing 1900 Table Bay 1d carmine pair and three singles, all cancelled by ZWAGERSHOEK SP 3 00 C.G.H. c.d.s cancels, backstamped with SOMERSET EAST SP 4 00 transit c.d.s. and next day oval Registered Port Elizabeth receiver, cover with a almost invisible crease affecting one stamp and has been sensibly silked, attractive. Rare, ex Dillaway. SG 69.
Estimate $100 - 150

The post office was opened in January 1885, closed June 1886, reopened as Scott’s Zwagershoek November 1891 and, in September 1896, reverted to Zwagershoek. In 1901 during the Anglo-Boer War the post office was ransacked twice by Boer forces, once on 16 March and secondly on 13 October under General J.C. Smuts. This is the item of record for the earliest recorded date.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$45
Lot 245
1901 (4 July); Censored envelope from The Fountain (Uitengage) to Port Elizabeth bearing 1898-1902 Standing "Hope" 1d carmine, cancelled by THE FOUNTAIN JY 4 01 Dot c.d.s., bears blue boxed Passed Press Censor Uitenhage handstamp, backstamped with squared circle Uitenhage c.d.s. of 4 July 1901 and Port Elizabeth next day receiver, scarce and attractive., ex Dillaway. SG 59a.
Estimate $100 - 150

Frescura records the latest known usage of this c.d.s. as 19 April 1901.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$45
Lot 246
Registered mail: 1901 (19 Dec.) Censored folded envelope from Gamtoos River Ferry (Uitenhage) to Port Elizabeth bearing 1893-98 2½d pale ultramarine block of four (short edge perfs) just tied by GAMTOOS RIVER FERRY DE 19 01 c.d.s., bears violet boxed Passed Press Censor Uitenhage handstamp, backstamped with UITENHAGE DE 20 01 c.d.s. and same day oval Registered Port Elizabeth receiver, scarce and unusual., ex Dillaway. SG 63.
Estimate $150 - 200.
View details and enlarged photo 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 247
"Undelivered For Reason Stated": 1903 (6 May) local rate Grahamstown cover bearing 1902-04 1d carmine, tied by double circle GRAHAMSTOWN MAY 6 03 emblem c.d.s., envelope was redirected to Port Alfred (20 May 1903), marked "Unknown" and "Unclaimed" in red ms., a variety of other ms. markings and deletions, returned to Grahamstown (19 May 1903), again (24 May 1903), again (21 July 1903) and for the last time (29 July 1903). Cover bears violet four-line UNDELIVERED FOR REASON STATED/RETURN TO SENDER AT/ADDRESS SHOWN ON COVER/FROM R. L. O., CAPE TOWN handstamp (RLO 8) and violet RETURNED L O JY 24 03 CAPE TOWN c.d.s. (RLO 2) backstamp. Remarkable, ex Dillaway. SG 71.
Estimate $300 - 400

This cover predates Goldblatt by six years.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 249
"Sample Post": 1907 (13 Dec.) Specially prepared printed blue linen-backed sample envelope from Port Elizabeth to Steytlerville (Willowmore) bearing 1902-04 1d carmine, canceled by PORT ELIZABETH DE 13 07 killer arc and emblem c.d.s extreme left, natural creasing due to contents. Very Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 71.
Estimate $150 - 200

The minimum charge for sample post in 1902 was 1d for 4oz. Barnett’s of Port Elizabeth, specializing in leather goods, was opened by a Polish immigrant, Poznanski Barnett, in 1863.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 250
Registered Mail: 1869 (2 Apr.) single rate folded letter datelined 30 March 1869 from Willowmore to Cape Town bearing 1868 4d on 6d deep lilac (2), canceled by bold strikes of large triangular obliterator, tied endorsed "registered" at top double circle WILLOW AP 02 1869 c.d.s. and oval REGISTERED 5 AP 69 CAPE-TOWN-CAPE-COLONY datestamp (RL 1), Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 27.
Estimate $200 - 300

The first official Registration handstamp allocated to Cape Town shortly after 1854.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 251
Cape and Orange Free State combination usage: 1871 (4 Jan.) envelope from King Williams Town to Pniel Klipdrift (Diamond Fields) bearing Cape 1864-77 4d blue and Orange Free State 1868-94 6d pale rose, tied by barred oval "4" handstamp and oval of bars handstamp respectively, carmine double oval KING WILLIAMS TOWN JA 4 1871 town datestamp and two unclear straight-line handstamps on front with straight-line UNCLAIMED handstamp on reverse some perf. faults. Rare., ex Dillaway (SG 24A o.f.s.4).
Estimate $750 - 1,000

The letter originated on the Eastern Frontier (Cape, formerly British Kaffraria) with the Orange Free State 6d added to pay postage through that territory and is addressed to a town that played an important role in the history of the Diamond Fields – it was from Pniel that the rush to the dry diggings at Kimberley started. The issue of ownership over the Diamond Fields was only resolved in March 1871, and the opening of the first Griqualand West post offices probably date from that time. Despite the protests of local residents, in March 1871 the Orange Free State Post Office ordered that the wood and corrugated iron shed, which housed the post office at Pniel, should be dismantled and removed to Jacobsdal, in the Orange Free State. The letter appears to have remained undelivered.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$350
Lot 252
Insufficiently Stamped: 1873 (19 June) large cover front from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town bearing 1864-77 4d deep blue, tied by barred oval "2" handstamp, bears rare straight-line INSUFFLY STAMPED handstamp (SP 19), PORT ELIZABETH JU 19 73 c.d.s. and CAPE-TOWN JU 23 73 CAPE-COLONY c.d.s., taxed 8d hence ms. "8," also ms. notation at lower left "The Comm.(issioner) declines to pay 8d for this C. B. Elliott (signed) 31.7.73," front faintly creased at right. Very Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 24c.
Estimate $300 - 400

Underfranked by 4d. the letter was treated as wholly unpaid and taxed 8d the rate for over ½oz. but under 1oz. Payment was refused by the Commissioner for Public Works addressee and filed at the Cape Town post office to record non delivery. The handstamp is unrecorded by Jurgens (1943) but Goldblatt (1984) records it amongst the group of highest rated marks of the Rectangular Period.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 253
Used to the Orange Free State: 1873 (7 Nov.) cover from King Williams Town to Bethany, Orange Free State bearing 1864-77 4d blue (tiny tones) cancelled by small triangular obliterator, tied by small "PP 4d" ms. endorsement at top right to indicate postage paid in the Orange Free State, KING WILLIAMS TOWN NO 7 1873 double arc c.d.s. and SMITHFIELD NO 25 1873 O.F.STATE c.d.s., backstamped with double oval ALIWAL NORTH NO 15 (15 inverted) 1873 town datestamp and BLOEMFONTEIN NO 26 1873 O.F.STATE c.d.s., cover with a few tears and hand docketed as received on 28 November 1873, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 24a.
Estimate $200 - 300

Total rate 8d, 4d Cape (paid by stamp) + 4d Orange Free State (ms."PP 4d").
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 254
Octagonal Numeral Reissued: 1874 (7 Dec.) double rate blue folded letter from Port Alfred to Cape Town bearing 1864-77 4d blue PAIR, tied by centrally struck octagonal "51" handstamp, CAPE TOWN DE 12 74 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. receiver with proving double oval PORT ALFRED DE 7 1874 town backstamp, small mend on back flap, very rare., ex Dillaway. SG 24a.
Estimate $200 - 300

This is the item of record for the earliest date of use of a reallocated octagonal numeral datestamp. 1877 was previously confirmed as the effective date for the reissue. Number 51 was previously used at Bathurst, other reallocated numerals being Stellenbosch 10, Swellendam 30 and Prince Albert 53, all in the Western Cape.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 255
Internal Letter Carried by the Donald Curie Line: 1879 (20 May) envelope from Alice to Cape Town bearing 1871-76 1d carmine-red vertical strip of four (one stamp small edge perf faults), paying the internal 4d rate within the Colony, tied by two lovely strikes of the small triangular obliterator, cover "S.S. "Taymouth Castle", double oval ALICE MY 20 1879 town datestamp with CAPE TOWN MY 26 79 CAPE COLONY receiver all on front, scarce, ex Dillaway. SG 29.
Estimate $150 - 200

Port Elizabeth became the terminal of the mail service between England and the Cape on 22 February 1864. When, in 1876, the new mail contract was shared between the Union Steamship Co. and the Donald Curie Line, it was necessary that the Castle ships extend their sailings to include Port Elizabeth.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 256
Book Post 1d Rate: 1885 (31 Jan.) double foolscap (17x27") church circular from Rev. James David Richards, the Bishop and Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern Vicariate of the Cape Colony sent from King Wil, tied by barred oval "4" (large numeral) handstamp. The circular here folded to letter size, was printed in Grahamstown and posted to church members from King Williams Town, highly unusual., ex Dillaway. SG 29.
Estimate $150 - 200.
View details and enlarged photo 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 257
Pen Cancelled Mail: 1885 (9 Mar.) envelope with enclosure from Gamtoos River Ferry to Cape Town, the Burmester correspondence bearing 1884-90 2d deep bistre, tied by red pen strokes, bears GAMTOOS RIVER MR 9 85 FERRY c.d.s., scarce and attractive., ex Dillaway. SG 50a.
Estimate $150 - 200

The manuscript cancellation of stamps with pen strokes or initials and dates prevented re-use or theft and this practice was approved by the Postal Administration. Frescura records this date as the earliest known use for the c.d.s.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 258
Used to Matabeleland: 1895 (29 Mar.) envelope from Port Elizabeth to Bulawayo, Matabeleland bearing 1893-1902 Standing "Hope" 1d carmine strip of four, just tied by PORT ELIZABETH 29 MR 95 C.G.H. c.d.s. cancels, pretty., ex Dillaway. SG 59a.
Estimate $150 - 200

Single rate: 4d.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 259
Used to Argentina: 1889 (9 July) 1889 4d grey registered envelope (F format) from East London to Buenos Aires, Argentina, bearing 1884-90 1d rose-red, 2d pale bistre vertical pair, 6d purple, and 1s blue green, all tied by barred oval "29" handstamps, REGISTERED 9 JY 89 EAST LONDON datestamp (two strikes) and faint red oval London Registered datestamp of 6 August 1889, red manuscript "1/-" credit, backstamped oval REGISTERED LETTER OFFICE 13 JY 89 CAPE TOWN datestamp (two strikes, one extremely faint) and Buenos Aires receiver of 6 September 1889. An extremely attractive four-color franking to a truly exotic destination. Rare, ex Dillaway. SG QUICK & YONKERS r3a, 49,50,52A,53A.
Estimate $300 - 400.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 260
Used to Argentina: 1890 (6 Oct.) 1889 4d grey registered envelope (F format) from Port Elizabeth to Rosario, Argentina bearing 1882-83 3d pale claret and 1884-90 1s blue-green, tied by barred oval "2" handstamps, bears oval REGISTERED OC 6 90 PORT ELIZABETH datestamp and red oval London Registered datestamp of 28 October 1890, backstamped with red oval REGISTERED LETTER OFFICE C 8 OC 90 CAPE TOWN datestamp and blue Rosario receiver of 18 November 1890 another a truly exotic destination. Rare., ex Dillaway. SG Quick & Yonkers R3A, 43,53a.
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 261
Used to Australia: 1874 (10 April) single packet rate envelope from Port Elizabeth to Sydney, Australia bearing 1864-77 4d pale blue, 1s green and 1871-76 1d carmine-red with wing margin at right (slight edge faults at left), all tied by barred oval "2" handstamps, endorsed "Per Str "Roman" to Plymouth and Via Brindisi to Galle" and bears PORT ELIZABETH AP 10 74 c.d.s., CAPE TOWN AP 23 74 CAPE-COLONY transit c.d.s. with red London Paid transit of 22 May 74 also tying the 1s stamp and red manuscript "1/4d" credit to the U.K., backstamped with Sydney receiver of 25 July 1874, blue crest on back flap with motto Honor Virtutis Pr(a)emium (the reward of virtue, honor). Attractive three color franking to a very Rare destination., Ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Dillaway. SG 24, 26a,29.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$475
Lot 262
Used to Austria: 1890 (21 Apr.) single rate registered envelope from Port Elizabeth to Trieste, Austria bearing 1884-90 ½d black pair, 1d rose-red, 2d pale bistre, 6d reddish purple, all tied by barred oval "2" handstamps in the thick bar 4.5.4 format, cover endorsed "Registered" and bears oval REGISTERED AP 21 90 PORT ELIZABETH datestamp and faint red unclear London Registered datestamp, backstamped with faint oval REGISTERED LETTER OFFICE 23 AP 90 CAPE TOWN datestamp and faint Trieste receiver, small portion of back flap absent, attractive four-color franking to a scarce destination, ex Dillaway. SG 48, 49,50,52.
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 263
Used to Austria: 1891 (23 Oct.) envelope from a trooper in the Cape Mounted Rifles from King Williams Town to Silesia, Austria, bearing 1884-90 ½d black and 1891 2½ on 3d pale magenta, tied by hooded circle KING WILLIAMS TOWN OC 23 91 c.d.s., printed ON HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE endorsement and violet ORDERLY ROOM CAPE MOUNTED RIFLEMEN handstamp at bottom left, backstamped G. P. O. OC 26 91 CAPE TOWN c.d.s. and London transit of 14 November 1891, scarce destination and markings., ex Dillaway. SG 48, 55.
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 265
Used to Belgium: 1886 (20 Dec.) 1884 4d blue registered envelope (G format) from Port Elizabeth to Brussels, Belgium bearing 1884-90 1d rose-red, 2d pale bistre and 1s green, tied by bold barred oval "2" handstamps, oval REGISTERED DE 20 86 PORT-ELIZABETH datestamp and red oval London Registered datestamp of 13 January 1887, Brussels ambulant (221), backstamped with purple ED. LIPPERT & Co. PORT ELIZABETH merchant’s oval, Cape Town Registered Letter Office transit c.d.s. of 22 December 1886 and Brussels receiver of 14 January 1887, scarce European destination., ex Dillaway. SG 49,50,53.
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 266
Used to Bermuda: 1902 (21 Sep.) Prisoner of War registered envelope from Aberdeen (initially part of the district of Graaff-Reinet) to Hawke Island, Bermuda bearing 1900 Table Bay 1d carmine block of, four (small faults) and single tied by ABERDEEN AU 21 02 C.G.H. c.d.s. cancels, previously unrecorded violet double oval REGISTERED / NUMBER (added in ms.) /ABERDEEN C.C. (Cape Colony) handstamp and oval London Registered transit datestamp of 13 September 1902, backstamped by faint Hamilton, Bermuda receiver, very scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 69.
Estimate $200 - 300

The village of Aberdeen was founded on 10 September 1855 and was named after the Scottish birthplace of the Rev. Andrew Murray, Minister at Graaff-Reinet. By 1904 the population was 2,553, of whom 1,188 were literate.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 267
Used to Hong Kong, China: 1867 (5 Jan.) single rate private ship letter envelope to Hong Kong from Somerset East endorsed "Via Mauritius or other route," bearing 1864-77 1s green, neatly tied by small triangular obliterator, cover backstamped double oval SOMERSET EAST JA 5 1867 handstamp with Hong Long receiver of 13 April 1867, on front manuscript "4" and Cape Town transit c.d.s. of 10 January 1867, portion of the back flap missing. An exceedingly rare destination., ex Dillaway. SG 26a.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

In the 1865 census the Division of Somerset East had 10,593 residents, of whom 2,415 were literate.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$475
Lot 268
Used to Chile: 1896 (6 June) 1892-94 1d pink postal stationery envelope (120 x 94 mm format with pointed flap) uprated with 1884-90 ½d black and 1893-1902 Standing "Hope" 1d carmine, for the 2½d U.P.U. rate sent from Zwartkops Station (Port Elizabeth Division) to Valparaiso stamps and envelope tied by "159" BONC used at an earlier date than that recorded by Frescura (7 AU 96), bears ZWARTKOPS STATION JU 6 96 c.d.s., backstamped Port Elizabeth, New York transit of 4 July and Valparaiso receiver, Rare destination., ex Dillaway (SG 48, 59a).
Estimate $100 - 150.
View details and enlarged photo 		Current Bid
$45
Lot 270
Used to Egypt: 1894 (12 Mar.) registered cover from Port Elizabeth to Alexandria, Egypt bearing 1893-98 1s blue-green, envelope tied by barred oval "2" handstamp, cover bears oval REGISTERED MR 12 94 PORT-ELIZABETH datestamp and oval London Registered transit of 12 April 1894, flap bears embossed Hansen & Schrader, Cape of Good Hope, Port Elizabeth merchants oval with additional London transit and Alexandria receiver, scarce destination., ex Dillaway. SG 66.
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 271
Used to Egypt:1899 (29 May) 1889 4d ultramarine registered envelope (F format) from Grahamstown to Cairo, Egypt bearing 1893-98 ½d yellow green (10, 8 on front 2 back), all tied by oval REGISTERED MY 29 99 GRAHAMS-TOWN datestamps, red oval London Registered transit of 17 June 1899, backstamped with oval Cape Town Registered Letter Office transit of 31 May 1899 and Cairo receiver of 23 June 1899, scarce destination., ex Dillaway (SG 61).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 272
Used from British Kaffraria to England: 1865 (14 Feb.) single rate cover from King Williams Town to Hastings, Sussex bearing 1864-77 1s green, tied by bold large triangular obliterator, cover is endorsed "Via Diamond Line" and marked "Stamped 1/-" by sender, docketed at left, backstamped with red double oval KING-WILLIAMS-TOWN FE 14 1865 datestamp with Hastings receiver and bears CAPE TOWN FE 21 65 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. and LONDON MR 30 65 PAID transit c.d.s. very scarce, Ex Goldblatt, Dillaway. SG 26a.
Estimate $300 - 400

This cover, unusually franked at 1s. (rather than the correct private ship rate of 4d) is photographed and described in Goldblatt (1983) on page 139. The unpublished explanation for this increased franking is found in a report by the Postmaster General to the House of Assembly dated 20 July 1865 dealing specifically with the Diamond Line: "rates charged upon the mails dispatched in August and November 1864 were 4d…the usual packet rate of 1/- has been charged upon all letters subsequently." This presumably temporary measure was possibly confined only to the Diamond Line.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 273
Used from British Kaffraria to England: 1865 (8 Apr.) single rate cover from King Williams Town to Hastings, Sussex bearing 1864-77 1s. green, cancelled by bold large triangular obliterator, endorsed "Via Cape Town & Devonport" and marked "stamped 1/-" by sender, red double oval KING-WILLIAMS-TOWN AP 8 1865 datestamp on reverse and bears Cape Town c.d.s., red Devonport Cape Packet and London transit of 17 May and 18 May 1865 respectively with Hastings same day receiver on reverse, scarce origin., Purportedly Ex Dale-Lichtenstein, possibly from lot 635. Signed Richard Johnson, ex Dillaway. SG 26a.
Estimate $200 - 300

This is rectangular was printed in London from 1863 to 1879 in a wonderful range of shades from pale yellow-green to the elusive deep blue.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 274
Used from British Kaffraria to England: 1865 (17 Apr.) another single rate cover to the same address, bearing 1864-77 1s green,this example by a different route from King Williams Town, endorsed "Via, canceled by bold large triangular obliterator, red double oval KING-WILLIAMS-TOWN AP 17 1865 datestamp on reverse and bears red London Paid c.d.s. of 10 July 1865 with Port Elizabeth transit and Hastings next day receiver on reverse, scarce origin, ex Dillaway. SG 26a.
Estimate $200 - 300

British Kaffraria was annexed to the Cape Colony on 17 April 1866.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 275
Used to England: 1865 (6 May) single rate cover to Faringdon, Berkshire from Graaff Reinett bearing 1864-77 1s blue-green, neatly cancelled by small triangular obliterator, backstamped red double oval GRAAFF- REINETT MY 6 1865 handstamp with Faringdon receiver, cover bears Cape Town transit c.d.s. of 11 May 1865 and red London Paid transit of 20 May 1865, envelope with small portion of the back flap missing, not affecting the postal markings, very attractive. Scarce, ex Dillaway. SG 26b.
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 276
Used to England: 1866 (25 Aug.) private ship single rate cover from Grahamstown to Hastings, Sussex from the Harkness correspondence bearing 1864-77 4d blue, canceled by barred oval "3’ handstamp, envelope is endorsed "Per Diamond Steamer Kaffraria" and docketed at left, backstamped GRAHAMS-TOWN AU 25 66 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., Port Elizabeth transit, bears red manuscript crayon "2," 2d credit to the Cape and large red London PAID 11 OC 66 c.d.s. with Hastings same day backstamp receiver, scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 24a.
Estimate $200 - 300

The Diamond Line ceased operations in 1867 after a brief 2½ years.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 277
Used to England: 1867 (1 Mar.) Another private ship single rate cover from Grahamstown to Hastings, Sussex from the Harkness correspondence bearing 1864-77 4d blue, similarly canceled by barred oval "3" handstamp, envelope is docketed at left and endorsed "Per Steamer Achilles" of the Blue Funnel Line, cover red LONDON SHIP LETTER PAID MY 9 67 c.d.s. and red manuscript crayon "2," credit to Cape, backstamped GRAHAMS-TOWN MR 1 67 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. and Hastings receiver. Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 24a.
Estimate $300 - 400

In 1865 the Blue Funnel Line built the "Achilles" and two sister ships, "Agamemnon" and "Ajax," the first ocean going vessels to have tandem compound engines which were to revolutionize long distance sea travel, ultimately sealing the fate of the sailing ships. The vessels of the Blue Funnel Line plied the route between England and China and, although it was not intended that they should enter Cape ports, they were occasionally seen in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth between 1866 and 1870. The opening of the Suez Canal deprived the Cape of further visits from these pioneering steamships.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 278
Used to England: 1867 (8 Dec.) single rate packet cover from Graaff Reinet to Kent, England bearing 1864-77 1s green, canceled by "18" BONC, bears CAPE TOWN DE 12 67 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. with red London Paid transit of 20 January 68, backstamped with red double oval DE 8 1867 datestamp and Rochester receiver of 20 January 1868, attractive and scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 26a.
Estimate $200 - 300

1867- Proving cover for the Numeral "18" which was first recorded 22 October 1867. The town was established in 1786 and named after Governor C. J. van der Graaff and his wife Cornelia Reynet. The original spelling of the town name was "Graaff-Reynett"and the mail was handled by the Landdrost and the Field Cornets before the post office was opened 4 October 1816.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 279
USED TO ENGLAND: 1868 (13 Jan) double rate registered envelope bearing 1864-77 6d deep lilac and 1s green pair, canceled by barred oval "2" handstamps, endorsed "Per Mail Steamer ‘Saxon,’" REGISTERED JA 13 68 PORT-ELIZABETH c.d.s., oval REGISTERED 18 JA 68 CAPE-TOWN-CAPE-COLONY datestamp (RL 1) with red London Registered arrival datestamp of 20 February 1868, the large blue envelope has been folded twice barely affecting one stamp, attractive and scarce., ex Dillaway. SG 25a, 16a.
Estimate $300 - 400.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 280
Used to England: 1870 (15 Dec.) double rate cover from Grahamstown to Halifax, England bearing 1864-77 1s blue-green (2) (described by Allis in 1930 as a "rare deep blue-green,"), canceled by barred oval "3" handstamps, envelope (a trifle fragile) is endorsed "Via Steamer Briton" and bears Cape Town transit c.d.s. of 19 December 1870 alongside stamps, backstamped GRAHAMS-TOWN DE 15 70 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., red PAID PLYMOUTH CAPE-PACKET 23 JA 71 c.d.s. and next day Halifax receiver. Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 26b.
Estimate $300 - 500

Gilbert J. Allis was the author of the first comprehensive handbook on Cape of Good Hope, its Postal History & Postage Stamps (both triangular and rectangular stamps), published in 1930.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 281
Used to England: 1872 (15 Apr.) double rate packet cover from Port Elizabeth to London, England bearing 1864-77 1s blue-green (2), cancelled by barred oval "2" handstamp, bears PORT ELIZABETH AP 15 72 CAPE-COLONY c.d.s., CAPE-TOWN AP 23 72 CAPE-COLONY transit c.d.s. and "TOO LATE" handstamp, since it literally missed the boat, unclear red London Paid transit c.d.s. (possibly 10 June 1872), endorsed "Per R.M.S.," attractive postal history item., ex Dillaway. SG 26b.
Estimate $300 - 400

Port Elizabeth and Cape Town were the only major post offices to receive "TOO LATE" handstamps.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 282
Used to England: 1872 (20 Aug.) a fascinating cover accidentally sent from England within a newspaper to the Eastern Frontier bearing Great Britain 1858-79 1d rose-red Plate 145, cancelled and intended for delivery in London, back flap bears "Recd. inside of a newspaper from England, initialed H.M.C.O. p.m.," bears KING WILLIAMS TOWN AU 20 72 double arc c.d.s. with London red and black return arrival receivers of 4 October 4 1872, bears on front lovely MISSENT-TO/CAPE-TOWN handstamp (SP 1) and CAPE-TOWN AU 26 72 CAPE-COLONY c.d.s. with rating marks crossed out in indicate free return, bears pretty blue Eastman's Royal Naval Academy (British prep. school). A fabulous cover, ex Dillaway. SG 43.
Estimate $300 - 400

The MISSENT-TO/CAPE- TOWN mark is the item of record of this handstamp in hyphenated format.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 283
Used to England: 1873 (26 Jan.) single packet rate mourning cover from Post Retief (Division of Fort Beaufort) to Sussex, England bearing 1864-77 1s green, cancelled by double oval POST-RETIEF JA 26 1873 datestamp with CAPE TOWN FE 3 73 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. alongside, cover backstamped with unclear Grahamstown transit c.d.s. and Hawkhurst (Sussex) receiver of 17 March 1873, Rare., ex Dillaway. SG 26a.
Estimate $200 - 300

This cover was conveyed by the twice weekly postcart to Fort Beaufort for onward delivery to Cape Town and thence by mail steamer to England. The post office in this small village 20 miles from Fort Beaufort was opened in May 1854.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 284
Used to England: 1873 (24 July) private ship single rate cover from Port Elizabeth to Bristol, England bearing 1864-77 4d blue, cancelled by barred oval "2" handstamp, endorsed "Per Steamer "Iceland", bears red SHIP LETTER PAID SP 12 73 LONDON c.d.s. and red manuscript crayon "2," 2d credit to the Cape, backstamped Port Elizabeth c.d.s. and Bristol receiver. Scarce and early cover., ex Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $300 - 400

"Iceland", built 1871, J. and G. Thompson, Glasgow. 1474 tons.
Thee Donald Currie Line, commonly known as the Castle Line, began operations in 1872 and ultimately operated a larger fleet than the rival Union Steamship Company. The ‘Iceland’ was the vessel with which Donald Currie made his entry into the South African shipping trade in 1872 and she carried the Cape mails until April 1873, then being employed on the coast until October 1873 subsequently returning to England. She was lost off the coast of Holland on 18 December 1876.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 285
Used to England: 1873 (22 Nov.) private ship double rate cover from King Williams Town to London, England bearing 1864-77 4d blue (2), somewhat faintly canceled by barred oval "4" handstamp additionally with postmaster applied pen strokes as the canceller was faint and inadequately obliterated the stamps, endorsed "Per Donald Currie’s Line," bears double arc KING WILLIAMS TOWN NO 21 1873 c.d.s., very scarce large red "4" handstamp, 4d credit to the Currie Line and CAPE-TOWN NO 27 73 CAPE-COLONY c.d.s., backstamped with London receiver of January 1874, scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $200 - 300

The manuscript cancellation of stamps with pen strokes or initials and dates prevented re-use or theft and this practice was approved by the Postal Administration. Stamps could also have been pre-cancelled before use, but the most interesting examples are those pen cancels emanating from smaller post offices or agencies that were without, or temporarily without, formal cancellers. The cover above was carried on postcart Route 26 (King Williams Town - 7 days) to Cape Town.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 286
Used to England: 1873 (31 Jan.) private ship single rate cover from Uitenhage to York, England bearing 1864-77 1d carmine-red (4), trivial edge placement faults, unclear barred oval cancels, endorsed "Per first Merchant Steamer," backstamped with double oval UITENHAGE JA 31 1873 datestamp and York receiver, bears large red fancy 2d handstamp, 2d credit to the Currie Line, Cape Town transit and red SHIP LETTER PAID MR 24 LONDON c.d.s., vertical fold at right slightly affecting one stamp, scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 23).
Estimate $300 - 400

In 1873 the Castle Line was informed that the company would be allowed 2d on every 4d charged, instead of the former 1d. These fancy handstamps are not recorded in Goldblatt.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 287
Used to England: 1874 (7 Jan.) private ship double rate cover from Port Elizabeth to London, England bearing 1864-77 4d pale blue pair, canceled by central barred oval "2" handstamp, bears PORT ELIZABETH JA 7 1874 double arc c.d.s., CAPETOWN JA 10 74 CAPE-COLONY transit c.d.s., red manuscript crayon "4" double rate credit to the Currie Line and is endorsed "Per "Windsor Castle" s. s. / Jany 7th 74," backstamped with red boxed London E.C. receiver of 5 February 1874 and with embossed PORT ELIZABETH /J O SMITH & Co./ALGOA BAY seal, a trifle soiled but an unusual rate. Scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 24).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 288
Used to England: 1874 (7 Apr.) private ship single rate cover from Grahamstown to York, England bearing 1866-74 4d blue, canceled by barred oval "3" (previously unconfirmed numeral canceller in 4, 4, 4 format), endorsed "By Private Steamer," backstamped GRAHAMS-TOWN AP 7 74 CAPE COLONY and York receiver, on front CAPE TOWN AP 11 74 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. and large red manuscript crayon "2," 2d credit to the Currie Line, scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $200 - 300

The letter was written by Justice Edward Dwyer, Supreme Court judge in Grahamstown, franked at the 4d rate which compared very favorably with the 1s payable for the mail steamer rate.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 289
Used to England: 1874 (9 Apr.) private ship double (initially rated singly) rate cover from Port Elizabeth to London, England bearing 1864-77 4d blue with wing margin at right, cancelled by barred oval "2" handstamp, cover is endorsed "Per Windsor Castle’ s.s.," it literally missed the boat hence "TOO LATE" handstamp, cover bears faint PORT ELIZABETH AP 9 74 c.d.s., red manuscript crayon "2" crossed out and replaced with "4" (the correct credit to the Currie Line for a double rate letter), additionally with circular "MORE TO PAY" handstamp, FB (Foreign Branch) double circle of 5 June 1874 and manuscript "8" for 8d postage due to be collected as the letter was underfranked, backstamped with red SHIP LETTER LONDON JU 5 74 c.d.s., flap with embossed PORT ELIZABETH/J O SMITH & CO./ALGOA BAY seal, a lovely postal history cover showing two aspects of the discipline., ex Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $300 - 400

Posted on 9 April, this letter just missed the Windsor Castle sailing of 10 April and was finally delivered on 5 June – an overdue delivery of 58 days – explained by the TOO LATE handstamp.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 290
Used to England: 1874 (5 Aug.) private ship single rate cover from Port Elizabeth to London, England, bearing 1864-77 4d blue cancelled by barred oval "2" handstamp, endorsed "By Colonial Mail Steamer Windsor Castle" and bears PORT ELIZABETH AU 5 74 c.d.s., large red manuscript crayon "2," 2d credit to the Currie Line and large red LONDON E.C. PAID 5 SP 74 arrival c.d.s., with faint vertical fold, scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $250 - 300

The "Windsor Castle" established the outward record from Dartmouth to Table Bay in 1873 but she was wrecked on 19 October 1876 on a homeward voyage when she struck a reef two miles west of Dassen Island.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 291
Used to England: 1875 (30 Jan.) private ship single rate cover from Panmure (East London Division) to Carlisle, England bearing 1864-77 4d blue, cancelled by large triangular obliterator, cover endorsed "By the Donald Currie Line" and bears PANMURE JA 30 75 c.d.s., CAPE TOWN FE 4 75 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. with large red fancy "2d" handstamp at lower left, another marking which is unclear and Carlisle MR 8 75 c.d.s. receiver on reverse, cover is a little fragile and had been slit at left side, very Rare origin., ex Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $300 - 400

Frescura records only two covers from Panmure which opened in 1875, this being the earliest recorded date, closing in 1876 and probably continuing as Panmure Railway Station into 1877. Panmure is unlisted in the Post Office Guide of 1882.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 293
Used to England: 1875 (16 May) single packet rate cover from Tarkastad to Leeds, England bearing 1864-77 4d blue pair and single with wing margin at left, small faults, canceled by double oval TARKASTAD MY 16 1875 datestamp, bears CAPE TOWN MY 20 75 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. alongside, backstamped CAPE PACKET PLYMOUTH JU 22 75 and Leeds next day receiver, very rare, Signed Richard Johnson. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein,Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $500 - 750

One of only two covers extant showing the Tarkastad handstamp, the other example being dated 1873. The lettering on these handstamps was normally in serifed capitals and this was the only sans serif type in use on the Eastern Frontier. The village was established by the Dutch Reformed Church on the farm Boschfontein. Its name was derived from the Khoikhoi, meaning "a place of many women." It was some 50 miles from Cradock; the post office was opened in 1858.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$240
Lot 293
Used to England: 1875 (3 June) private ship single rate cover from Panmure (East London Division) to Carlisle, England bearing 1871-76 1d carmine-red a block of four with wing margin at left, tied by large triangular obliterator, endorsed "Via Donald Currie Line" and bears PANMURE JU 3 75 c.d.s., CAPE TOWN JU 10 75 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. with large red fancy "2d" handstamp alongside with Carlisle JY 6 75 c.d.s. receiver on reverse, very rare origin., ex Dillaway (SG 29).
Estimate $300 - 400

Frescura records this cover as being the latest recorded date for Panmure.
View details and enlarged photo 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 294
Used to England: 1876 (27 Nov.) private ship single rate cover (at the newly increased 6d rate) from King Williams Town to London, England bearing 1864-77 4d blue and 1871-76 1d carmine-red (2), cancelled by barred oval "4" handstamps, endorsed "Per ‘Dunrobin Castle’ Via Dartmouth" and bears KING WILLIAMS-TOWN NO 27 76 c.d.s., CAPE TOWN DE 2 76 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. and faint red London Paid arrival c.d.s. of 23 December 1876, with faint vertical fold at center not affecting the stamps or markings, scarce, ex Dillaway (SG 24a,29).
Estimate $300 - 400

The "Dunrobin Castle" established both outward and homeward records from Table Bay to Plymouth in 1876 and 1877 respectively.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 295
Used to England: 1877 (7 Nov.) single rate cover at the newly increased 6d rate from Elands Post (renamed Seymour in 1883 Stockenstrom Division) to Lynn, England bearing 1871-76 1d carmine-red pair, and 4d dull blue cancelled by double oval ELANDS-POST NO 7 1877 datestamps additionally with faint Cape Town transit, backstamped Lynn receiver of 9 December 1877. Rare and very attractive, ex Dillaway (SG 29,30).
Estimate $200 - 300

This handstamp was in use at Elands Post for 26 years; the letter being sent via postcart through Alice and Whittlesea to Queenstown, then continuing to Cape Town.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 296
Used to England: 1877 (9 Dec.) single rate envelope (refolded) from Port Alfred (Division of Bathurst) to London, England bearing 1864-77 6d violet, canceled by bluish-green octagonal "51" handstamp, cover bears slightly unclear bluish-green PORT ALFRED DE ? c.d.s. and CAPE TOWN DE 10 77 transit c.d.s. with slightly unclear red London Paid receiver of 4 January 1878, cover backstamped with greenish-blue double oval PORT ALFRED DE ? 1877 datestamp, scarce., ex Dillaway; Photocopy of Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa Cert. (1990) (SG 25b).
Estimate $200 - 300

This style of Port Alfred c.d.s. is unlisted by Frescura.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 297
Used to England: 1881 (7 Jan.) single rate registered envelope from Port Elizabeth to Birmingham, England bearing 1871-76 4d blue and 1880 "3" on 3d pale dull rose (2), cancelled by barred oval "2" handstamps, cover endorsed "Per Balmoral Castle," bears PORT ELIZABETH JA 7 81 c.d.s., two strikes of straight-line REGISTERED handstamp (RL 2) and a faint strike of the oval REGISTERED JA 10 81 CAPE-TOWN-CAPE-COLONY datestamp (RL 1), backstamped with blue Birmingham Registered receiver of 8 February 1881 (incorrectly dated 3), a scarce and attractive usage., ex Dillaway (SG 30,37).
Estimate $200 - 300

The "Balmoral Castle" was lost when wrecked on 10 February 1903.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 298
Used to England: 1882 (14 July) mourning envelope from Port Elizabeth to Cheltenham, England bearing 1864-77 6d violet, cancelled by barred oval diamond "2" handstamp (formerly used in Griqualand West), bears PORT ELIZABETH JY 14 82 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., backstamped with Cape Town transit c.d.s. of 17 July 1882, redirected in England and bears Cheltenham squared circle c.d.s. on front and same day Stroud and Nailsworth backstamp receivers. Rare; Rare. Ex Dillaway and Goldblatt (illustrated in his handbook on page 181). (SG 25b).
Estimate $200 - 300

The Barred Oval Diamond Numeral 2 handstamp was issued in Griqualand West in 1873 and used at an unidentified post office in the territory. After Griqualand West was annexed to the Cape in 1880 their Numeral 1 canceller was used in Cape Town. As the item of record, this cover additionally now confirms that the Numeral 2 canceller was, in fact, also returned to the Cape and used by the Port Elizabeth post office.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 299
1877, 6d violet pair, tied by small triangular obliterator, bears GLEN LYNDEN JA 4 84 c.d.s. and red oval London Registered datestamp of 30 January 1884, backstamped BEDFORD JA 4 84 c.d.s., red Cape Town Registered Letter Office transit c.d.s. of 9 January 1884 and Colchester receiver of 30 January 1884. Rare., ex Dillaway (SG 25b).
Estimate $200 - 300

The earliest date of use of this c.d.s. was previously recorded by Frescura as 2 June 1888.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 300
Used to England (eventually): 1884 (14 June) a much traveled cover addressed to the captain of the "S.S. Southwold" (Joseph Press) in East London bearing 1882-83 2d pale bistre (small faults), cancelled by PORT ELIZABETH JU 14 84 and EAST LONDON JU 16 84 c.d.s. cancels, manuscript at top in magenta, manuscript "Ship not arrived," whereupon the cover began its travels chasing Captain Press around the globe Cape Town – London – Point De Galle – Colombo – Liverpool, variety of dated markings, the last being Liverpool of 12 September 1884 where the cover remained until it was finally picked up after almost six months on 5 December 1884 (initials and manuscript on reverse), bears "T" handstamp and a variety of postage due amounts to be collected, fascinating., ex Dillaway (SG 42).
Estimate $150 - 200.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 301
Used to England: 1884 (1 Dec.) single rate mourning envelope from King Williams Town to Reading, England bearing 1882-82 1d rose-red (6, single, pair and a strip of three, some edge placement faults), cancelled by large format "4" BONC, bears KING WILLIAMS TOWN DE 1 84 c.d.s., backstamped with slightly unclear Cape Town transit c.d.s. and Reading receiver of December 23 1884. Rare., ex Dillaway (SG 41).
Estimate $150 - 200

Shown here is a proving cover for the Numeral canceller in the 4.5.4. format. The large "4" design is omitted from current literature. Jurgens (1943) and Goldblatt (1983) record only the 2.5.2.format whereas Frescura (2002), who queried its existence in 1983, does not differentiate between the two (large and small "4s"), and still omits the large "4"canceller from his latest publication.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$70
Lot 302
Used to England, Soldiers 1d Concessionary Rate; 1885 (31 Mar.) cover from a trooper in the Cape Mounted Rifles from Komgha (Division of Komgha, formerly British Kaffraria) to Cobham, Surrey, England, bearing 1884-90 1d rose, tied by "49" BONC, countersigned by officer as required and bears KOMGHA MR 31 85 c.d.s., backstamped with CAPE TOWN AP 6 85 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. and Cobham receiver of 30 April 1885, attractive, ex Dillaway (SG 49).
Estimate $300 - 400

The c.d.s. predates the example listed by Frescura by over 10 years.
View details and enlarged photo 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 303
Used to England; 1885 (17 Apr.) quadruple rate (2oz) 1844 4d blue registered envelope (G format) from Glen Lynden (Bedford) to Colchester, England bearing 1864-77 1s green PAIR ("G" overprint, type 17, tied by small triangular obliterator, envelope bears GLEN LYNDEN AP 17 85 c.d.s., "R" in oval handstamp, red oval London Registered datestamp of 12 May 1885, backstamped with unclear Bedford and Cape Town transits and Colchester receiver of 13 May 1885. Rare, ex Dillaway (SG 28).
Estimate $300 - 400

This cover establishes that Glen Lynden used the redistributed Griqualand West stamps. The earliest date of use of this c.d.s. was previously recorded by Frescura as 2 June 1888.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 304
Used to England: 1885 (22 June) private ship single rate cover from Port Elizabeth to Birmingham, England bearing 1871-76 4d dull blue and 1882-83 2d pale bistre, tied by PORT ELIZABETH JU 22 85 c.d.s. cancels, cover is endorsed "Per R.M.S. Hawarden Castle" and bears other indistinct markings on front, backstamped with CAPE TOWN JU 24 85 transit c.d.s. together with Birmingham and Sparkbrook receivers of 14 July 1885, attractive., ex Dillaway (SG 30,42).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 305
Used to England: 1886 (8 Feb.) triple rate refolded envelope from Port Elizabeth initially to Carlow Villa, Rock Ferry, Ireland redirected to Birkenhead, England bearing 1884-90 6d purple visibly, cancelled by PORT ELIZABETH FE 8 86 c.d.s., plus two Great Britain 1881 1d lilac applied to pay the forwarding and cancelled by CARLOW MR 3 86 c.d.s. strikes, backstamped Carlow and Birkenhead receivers. Scarce, ex Dillaway (SG 52a, G.B. 172).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 306
Used to England: TWO 1887 (9 July and 24 Sep.) single rate envelopes from Kei Bridge to the same addressee in London, England each bearing 1884-90 2d pale bistre strip of three, first each stamp pen cancelled "9/7/87 KB" and docketed "Kei Bridge 1887" at left; second enough cover cancelled with "647" BONC cancels and bearing KEI BRIDGE SP 24 87 C.G.H. c.d.s. (opening tear through c.d.s.), first cover backstamped squared circle KING WILLIAMS TOWN JY 9 87 c.d.s., Cape Town G.P.O. transit c.d.s. of 13 July and faint red Hammersmith receiver of 2 August 1887; second cover with similar backstamps and Hammersmith receiver of 19 October 1887, a scarce pair, ex Dillaway (SG 50).
Estimate $200 - 300

The postal agency at Kei Bridge was opened in 1887 and this pair of matching covers suggests that upon opening the agent was temporarily without formal cancellers. The earliest recorded date for the Numeral "647" is 17 August 1887 – supporting the suggestion that that when the first letter was processed in July the arrival of the handstamp was still awaited. The c.d.s. is the earliest recorded for Kei Bridge.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 307
Used to England:1896 (6 June), 1889 4d grey Registered envelop (G format, 152 x 96mm) bearing 1893-98 2½d pale ultramarine (3, single and pair), paying the triple 2½d U.P.U. rate sent from Zwartkops Station (Port Elizabeth Division) to Derby, England tied by "159" BONC used at an earlier date than that recorded by Frescura (7 AU 96), cover bears ZWARTKOPS STATION JU 6 96 c.d.s., backstamped with four registered oval datestamps, Cape Town, Birmingham and Derby (2, 27 JU 98), scarce, ex Dillaway (SG 49).
Estimate $300 - 400

Frescura records the earliest known usage of this Komgha c.d.s. as 8 September 1891.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 309
Used to England: Soldiers 1d Concessionary Rate; 1891 (9 Nov) envelope to a bandsman of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots from King Williams Town to Edinburgh redirected to York, England, also without additional charge, bearing 1884-90 1d rose red tied by hooded circle KING WILLIAMS TOWN NO 9 91 c.d.s., cover bears double circle EDINBURGH DE 7 91 131 c.d.s., flap missing, very Rare., ex Dillaway (SG 49).
Estimate $300 - 400

The cover illustrates an exceedingly uncommon use of the concessionary 1d rate in the reverse direction, with an enlisted serviceman as addressee.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$145
Lot 310
Used to England: Soldiers 1d Concessionary Rate; 1891 (24 Dec.) envelope from a trooper in the Cape Mounted Rifles from King Williams Town to London, England bearing 1884-90 1d rose-red, tied by hooded circle KING WILLIAMS TOWN DE 24 91 c.d.s., cover countersigned by an officer as required, backstamped with CAPE TOWN DE 28 91 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. and unclear red Paddington receiver, scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 49).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 311
Used to England: 1892 (19 Sep.) registered envelope from Port Elizabeth to Colchester, England bearing 1884-90 ½d black and 1891 2½d on 3d deep magenta Pair and single (missing corner), tied by barred oval "2" handstamps, bears oval REGISTERED SP 19 92 PORT-ELIZABETH datestamp and oval Registered London datestamp of 8 October 1892, backstamped with red oval Registered Letter Office Cape Town of 21 September 1892 and Colchester receiver of 10 October 1892, scarce provisional usage., ex Dillaway (SG 48,55a).
Estimate $200 - 300

Two printings were made of this surcharge and this is the second, 2½d on 3d in deep magenta.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 312
Used to England: 1893 (14 May) single rate envelope (½d overpaid) from Port Alfred to London, England bearing 1884-90 1d rose-red (3, one with small piece missing, pre-use), tied by octagonal "51" handstamps, PORT ALFRED MY 14 93 c.d.s. backstamped with Cape Town transit and red Paddington receiver of 6 June 1893, docketed at left, scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 49).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 313
Used to England: 1893 6 Aug.) a complimentary envelope from the same correspondence bearing 1892 2½d sage-green (the correct rate), again tied by octagonal "51" handstamp, PORT ALFRED AU 6 93 c.d.s. and PADDINGTON AU 25 93 c.d.s. since it was readdressed to Yorkshire, backstamped with Paddington (different type) and York same day receiver of 26 August 1893, docketed at left and with mended tear at top, scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 56).
Estimate $200 - 300

The two covers above show the occasional use of the octagonal "51" handstamp over a 19 year period following its reallocation to Port Alfred circa 1874.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 314
Used to England; 1896 (6 June), 4d grey registered envelope (G format, 152 x 96mm) bearing 1893-98 2½d pale ultramarine (3, single and pair), paying the triple 2½d U.P.U. rate sent from Zwartkops Station (Port Elizabeth Division) to Derby, England tied by "159" BONC used at an earlier date than that recorded by Frescura (7 AU 96), cover bears ZWARTKOPS STATION JU 6 96 c.d.s., backstamped with four registered oval datestamps, Cape Town, Birmingham and Derby (2, 27 JU 98), scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 63).
Estimate $100 - 150.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$45
Lot 316
Newspaper to England: 1899 (27 Dec.) Complete Cape Times Weekly Edition sent from Port Elizabeth to Bath, England bearing 1893-1902 Standing "Hope" 1d carmine PAIR, tied by squared circle PORT ELIZABETH DE 31 99 C.G.H. c.d.s. cancels, scarce double rate 2d franking, ex Dillaway (SG 59a).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 317
Used to England: RECOVERED FROM THE WRECK OF THE MEXICAN: 1900 (1 Apr.) envelope from King William's Town to London, England bearing 1893-1902 Standing "Hope" 1d carmine, tied by squared circle KING WILLIAMS TOWN AP 1 00 C.G.H. c.d.s., bears red two-line RECOVERED FROM / WRECK OF MEXICAN handstamp and backstamped with Tottenham receiver of 28 April 1900, cover with tiny mends, as would be expected. Scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 59a).
Estimate $200 - 250

The newly amalgamated Union Castle Line had been established for only a few weeks when disaster struck the 4,661 ton "Mexican." With Captain Copp in command she sailed from Cape Town on 4 April. At 2 am the following morning she collided in dense fog with the cattle steamer "Winkfield" some 60 miles from Table Bay. The "Mexican" was seriously damaged and sank 12 hours after the incident. All crew and passengers were saved and an official notice by the post office in Cape Town recorded the loss of only two mail bags and 145 bags of newspapers.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 318
Used to France: 1908 (22 Nov.) underpaid envelope from Cradock to Paris, France bearing 1902-04 1d carmine, tied by CRADOCK NO 22 08 c.d.s. and France Postage Due 1893-1941 30c red, left margin single, cancelled by triangular handstamp, cover bears octagonal T/15c handstamp with large "T" on front, Cape Town transit of 24 November 1908 on reverse, unusual., ex Dillaway. SG SG 71, France Sc J34.
Estimate $100 - 150.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$45
Lot 319
Used to Germany: 1876 (19 Nov.) single rate envelope from Coerney (a railway junction in the Division of Alexandria) to Saxony, Germany bearing 1864-77 6d violet and 1871-76 ½d grey-black, 1d carmine-red all tied by "63" BONC cancels, cover bears PORT ELIZABETH NO 19 1876 double arc c.d.s., CAPE TOWN NO 23 76 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. and red London Paid transit of 23 September 1876 with red manuscript crayon 1½ credit and Herrnhut receiver on reverse, pretty three colour franking., ex Dillaway (SG 25b, 28,29).
Estimate $200 - 300

Frescura records this as the earliest example of the "63" BONC.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 320
Used to Germany: 1879 (17 Nov.) private ship single rate cover from Port Elizabeth to Augsburg, Germany bearing 1871-76 ½d grey black, 1d carmine-red and 1879 3d on 4d blue PAIR, all tied by barred oval "2" handstamps, endorsed "Per R.M.S. Dunrobin Castle" and bears CAPE TOWN NO 17 79 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. and large red "2½d" handstamp credit to the U.K., backstamped with red LONDON DE 11 79 c.d.s. and Augsburg next day receiver, envelope with pretty blue Port Elizabeth L. Lippert & Co., Cape of Good Hope merchant’s oval on back flap, cover with small abrasion slit at top left, an attractive three-color franking., ex Dillaway (SG 28,29,34).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 321
Used to Germany: 1881 (1 Oct.) private ship single rate envelope from Port Elizabeth to Berlin, Germany bearing 1864-77 6d violet, 1871-76 ½d grey-black and 1d carmine-red, neatly tied by barred oval "2" handstamps, endorsed "Per s.s. ‘Dunrobin Castle’" and bears PORT ELIZABETH OC 1 81 c.d.s. and two strikes of large red "2½d" handstamp, credit to the U.K. on fully paid single rate letters from the Cape on mail to U.P.U. countries transiting through the U.K., backstamped with CAPE TOWN OC 4 81 CAPE COLONY transit c.d.s. and Berlin receiver of 28 October 1881, envelope with pretty blue Port Elizabeth L. Lippert & Co., Cape of Good Hope merchant’s oval on back flap, a beautiful and fresh three-color franking, ex Dillaway (SG 25b, 28, 29).
Estimate $200 - 300

The reputation of the Dunrobin Castle was much enhanced by that ship’s involvement in the Zulu War in January 1879. The British forces had been almost wiped out at Isandhlwana and reinforcements from home were urgently required. As yet no cable service was operational between the Cape and England (introduced in 1880). To save the situation the Dunrobin Castle sailed from Table Bay on 27 January steaming full ahead for St. Vincent which then marked the limit of the Western Telegraph. From there the news of the Isandhlwana defeat was cabled to London. The two covers in the sale inscribed as required to nominate carriage on the favored Castle liners were both delivered exactly 28 days after posting in Port Elizabeth. Speed premiums were additional incentives to the Mail Contract and from 1883 the time allowed for passage between the Cape and England was reduced from 26 to 21½ days.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95
Lot 322
Used to Germany: 1882 (30 June) soldiers envelope charged at the regular rate from King Williams Town to Hamburg, Germany, bearing 1881 3d pale claret PAIR, tied by barred oval "4" handstamps, KING WILLIAMS TOWN JU 30 82 c.d.s., "T" handstamp and large "3d" handstamp, since only 6d was prepaid on the 7½d rate, therefore 3d. (1½d postage plus 1½d penalty) postage due, backstamped with CAPE TOWN JY 6 82 CAPE COLONY c.d.s., London transit of 1 August 1882 and Hamburg receivers of 2-3 August 1882, scarce and attractive., ex Dillaway (SG 39).
Estimate $200 - 300.
View details and enlarged photos 		Current Bid
$95



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