1900 (?) original letter from an unknown correspondent relat...

Estimate

£60 - £100

1900 (?) original letter from an unknown correspondent relating to the Mafeking siege stamps and headed ‘Postage stamps overprinted and reissued at Mafeking during the siege 1900’. We learn (according to the writer) that large amounts were demanded by the native runners to carry the mail through the siege (1/- per ½ oz for the Northern route, 6d per ½ oz the South). As such, the Military authorities decreed that any unsold stamps (in possession of the Postmaster General, Lord Cecil), should be surcharged accordingly, to levy the required additional funds. There is reference also to a large number of forgeries being produced and to the use of the Baden-Powell stamps for regular, internal mail. A listing of the quantities printed for each issue is also provided. A fragile but utterly fascinating document.