Lot 384
Norval’s Point Fancy Cancel: 1900 (Apr.) envelope from Norval’s Point (Colesberg) to Hampshire, England bearing 1900 Table Bay 1d carmine, tied by the very rare violet cursive Norval’s Point straight-line rubber canceller, bears G.P.O. CAPE TOWN 11 APR 00 CAPE COLONY c.d.s. and SOUTHAMPTON 28 AP 00 PACKET LETTER with same day Christchurch receiver backstamp. Rare, Ex Kenneth Griffith,Dillaway Signed Richard Johnson. SG 78.
Estimate $300 - 400
The Railway Pioneer Regiment was formed early in 1900 to carry out repair work on the railway line as the British made their way into the Orange Free State and farther north. One of the first tasks that the regiment accomplished was to re-bridge the Orange River, 11 days after arriving at Norval’s Point on 27 March 1900. The Boer forces only had left on 28 February and had used the Cape canceller until that date. By the time the Railway Pioneer Regiment, consisting mostly of out-of-work miners and engineers, arrived all post office equipment had disappeared with the Boer forces and the makeshift rubber stamp had to suffice.
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| Opening Bid $145 |
