Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 17025 - Bermuda, Crossroads of the Atlantic: A Postal History from 1617 to 1877 - The David Pitts Collection
Lot: 41

(x) Military Mail
The strategic importance of Bermuda had been apparent from the 18th. Century. In 1795, after the Revolutionary War, the British restored bases its bases on the American continent though it wasn't until the War of 1812 that there was a significant increase in the British naval presence on Bermuda. She became the winter home of the Atlantic fleet and the principal naval port between Halifax and the B.W.I. Halifax was the fleet's summer home
Concessionary Rates
The routing of military mail is not as easily explained as civilian mail. Mail was sent by the most expeditious method, usually by non-military ships. Military vessels carried civilian mail, their sendings were not advertised so their use was very much on an ad hoc basis
Officers rates
A special concessionary rate for officers of 6d. was in effect from 1 July 1857 until 31 December 1869. Prior to and after these dates regular rates applied
1815 (18 Aug.) entire letter from an officer in the Marines at Ireland Island to London, sent just at the end of the War of 1812, rated "1/5" (1/1d., half the packet rate + 4d. internal postage) and showing "cowes.ship lre" handstamp (S1), the reverse (seal torn away) with large part arrival datestamp (5.10); the contents include "The Regulus is about to sail for Great Britain". Of the twenty-eight recorded, this is the only Marines letter from Bermuda. Photo

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£700