Auction 333-341 Australian States & Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand – The ‚KOOYONG‘ Collection - Day 2

Pre-Philately 1810 (Nov.): Entire letter from Madras, India to Stonehaven, Scotland, from Surgeon Robert Bardenach, who writes that after the disturbance at Madras a military expedition of 5'000 men was due to sail to Mauritius to take the island from the French and to occupy it for Britain. Entire is struck with 'SHIP LETTER / ♚ / LONDON' in black and alongside an indistinct red circular which is dated November 1810. Rated with manuscript marks of '8' (ship fee) and '2/8' to pay. Letter arrived in Scotland 28 December 1810. Some damage to entire and small part missing. Apparent soiling and staining, but in the main intact. A very early British letter regarding the invasion of Mauritius, which occurred 3 December 1810, of considerable historical importance.