NEW CALEDONIA - FURTHER WILLIAM KAY CORRESPONDENCE REF CANAB...

Hammer

£360

NEW CALEDONIA - FURTHER WILLIAM KAY CORRESPONDENCE REF CANABALISM; 1892/93 envs. to Bedfordshire from Royal Marine William Kay to his (future) wife Miss Blane each franked 2½d Allegorical tied by Sydney duplexes with contents written on H.M.S Tauranga or Mildura one headed 'Noumea', another with That ship that went to the Islands [New Caledonia] in our place have been having it hot, they had several men severely wounded....they had to march three days before they could find the savages....and another (with cover) They [the natives] have been at the job.....again eating someone, they sent a gunboat down to punish them....we took the arms away from one tribe and another one ship came back...because he did not have enough men...they are sending us, these ruffian's have been murdering.....and eating them and when the ship went there the old chief and his tribe flew into the bush. Remarkable insight into the pursuits of Royal Marines in the South Pacific. (5 covers + contents + PPC) Cross Reference: FRENCH COLONIES, NEW HEBRIDES/VANUATU, NEW SOUTH WALES