‘VIC’ VISSER BECHUANALAND
Postal History
 -  Postal History
VV464
BECHUANALAND / Stellaland / Warren Expedition 1885 (25th January), stampless soldier’s envelope addressed to England. Endorsed at top ‘From Trooper R. Holmes 2MR (2nd Mounted Rifles) BFF’, further endorsed ‘On active service / No stamps procurable’ and countersigned at lower left ‘J Riverton Capt. OC / Commanding at Radliff’s Farm / 25 Jan. 85’. With light BARKLY G.W. (JA 25) and PLYMOUTH TO BRISTOL T.P.O. (FE 17) transit datestamps struck on the front and Cape Town (JA 28) transit and Chester (FE 17) arrival backstamps. With large ‘1d’ in black manuscript indicating the recipient was charged the shortfall and not double the deficiency. Some creasing and a few edge faults. A very rare and early example of mail from this expedition.
 
Note: this is the earliest cover recorded by Alan Drysdall in his census of Warren Expedition mail in his article ‘A Postal History of Stellaland’ (London Philatelist 101.65, March 1992). Also illustrated in The Runner Post issue 23, June 1991, p430.
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