£700
** WINCANTON (WILTS.) - PAROLE P.O.W. LETTER WITH "CP/L Per Cartel" ENDORSEMENT; 16 Sept. 1809 EL (unsealed; some wear to folds but attractive) from POW "W[?]. Bazin" on parole in "Wincanton" to his mother assuring her that he is not wasting his time and enjoys the town's Society; he talks of his brothers in Pondicherry and Mauritius, and ends by saying that "I have just completed a view of Wincanton which I will send to you if I can find a favourable opportunity, in order to give you an idea of ??the city in which I live and which I will probably only leave to see my dear homeland again...". It was probably sent via London to Plymouth and on to Morlaix and so was charged "5" (decimes). Of much greater significance, however, is the red manuscript "CP/L Cartel" written above the address; this was presumably done by the Wincanton Agent-Censor and the "CP/L" (only 4 other examples - one other from Wincanton and three from Tiverton Parole POWs - have been recorded; see MFPWE p. 219) is thought to mean Cartel mail of Prisoner, via London. [See MFPWE, p.130.] Cross Reference: MILITARY - CENSORED MAIL, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL, FRANCE, WILTSHIRE
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
24% inc VAT*
