RARE EARLY MENTION OF THE "SEYS CHELLE ISLANDS" IN "INDIA LE...

Estimate

£360 - £500

RARE EARLY MENTION OF THE "SEYS CHELLE ISLANDS" IN "INDIA LETTER/SWANAGE" TO G.B.: Remarkable 4 Dec. 1829 EL (some folds with hinges etc. & worn crease through address panel, but intact) to Eton, Bucks. ex Mauritius with mostly v. fine "[MAU]RITIUS/[PO]ST OFFICE" hs, ms "½" arrival charge, & v. fine rare boxed "INDIA LETTER/SWANAGE" (Rob.In.1; only recorded for 1830 - just crossed by the crease at left) on front, with 21 Apr. 1830 London transit backstamp. Important contents written & signed by the 'Blind Traveller' James Holman (1786-1857; see Dict. of Nat. Biography) who travelled around the world in 1827-32, publishing his story in 1834/5: "I am lately returned from a voyage through the Mozambique Channel, visiting the shore of Madagascar and the east coast of Africa, the Islands of Johannah and Mohileh [two of the Comoro Islands] located to the northwest of the equinocial line, after which to several of the Seys Chelle [sic] islands, returning here 31st Octr. [1829][...]" (full typed transcript of the letter included). Important early reference to the Seychelles by one of its earliest literary visitors and a rare letter from this author. [Originally purchased in our Nov. 2005 auction for £700 + B.P.] [see fig.6, p.8, Blindman's Mail] Cross Reference: SEYCHELLES, MAURITIUS