Z.A.R. / TRANSVAAL
Postal History and Postal Stationery
POSTAL HISTORY
T2648
1880 (7th September), envelope addressed to Ireland ex the ‘Ward’ correspondence, endorsed at top ‘Via Kimberley & Cape Town’. Bearing a single Transvaal QV ‘Bourne Head’ 1/- green (SG 138) tied by a target-type canceller with proving LYDENBURG / TRANSVAAL (12 May) single circle datestamp below. Cape Town (21 Sep) transit and Limerick (13 Oct) arrival datestamps struck on the face. Very fine. Cover 95 in the Jorgensen 2010 Census. Ex Burrus (1964); David Underwood collection, and beautifully written up on his display page.
 
Note: the sender was Surgeon Espine Charles Ward (1849-1909) who served in the Zulu War, the Sekukuni War and the First Boer War. At this date he was with the 94th Regiment stationed in Lydenburg as part of the garrison there. While en route to Pretoria, the 94th were ambushed on 20th December by the Boers at Bronkhorstspruit. Surgeon Ward was wounded during the battle and captured.
 
The adhesive pays the 1/- per half ounce rate. As of 1st April 1880, the full postage was payable using Transvaal stamps only (rather than 6d Transvaal + 6d Cape, which previously applied).
 
This envelope was carried on the Castle Line’s ‘Kinfauns Castle’ which arrived in Plymouth on the 11th October 1880.
£750