Lot 602
GB USED ABROAD: 1856 Crimean War, rare...
Stamps and Postal History of the World | 5930
Auction: 29 March 2022 at 01:00 BST
£3,200
Description
GB USED ABROAD: 1856 Crimean War, rare soldiers' concession rate, franked with 1854-58 1d red-brown tied by Malta Wavy line cancel to Glasgow. Endorsed by Major Robert Dennistown Campbell for the 1d concession rate. On reverse there is a part Malta, and London and Glasgow date stamps, (the latter two being 21 AU 1856). Fascinating and historically relevant letter by Sergeant William Anderson to his brother & sister; “we was left to hand over the town [Sevastopol] to the Russians on 1st June, 5000 troops under the command of a Russian Prince with a most confounded long name I do not remember” and "You would have split your sides to see the men, some had beards like a billy-goats as the men had not shaved for 1 year 4 months and 17 days”. The readable part of the letter has been transcribed and typed up on a separate page.
An important insight into the closing stages of the Crimean War. Ex Major Hood Collection of Crimean War Postal History, very rare, an exhibition item
