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Auction: 25011 - The David Spivack Collection of Queen Victoria Overprinted for use in the Bechuanalands
Lot: 264

(x) Bechuanaland
Military Campaigns and Expeditions
The Langeberg Campaign
1897 (25 Mar.) officer's envelope to Scotland, marked "On active service. Stamps unobtainable" showing Vryburg squared circle datestamp, handstruck "T" in black, octagonal framed "T/25c." and a superb strike of London "2½d/f.b./c." handstamp, the reverse bearing Dunfermline arrival c.d.s. (18.4). A good cover. Photo

With the outbreak of Rinderpest in mid 1896, the Cape Government decided to shoot local cattle to prevent the spread of this disease. The natives resisted this and gathered in the Langeberg mountains. A force under Col. Dalgety of the Cape Mounted Rifles left Cape Town on 27th December 1896 to take control and settle the problem. In February 1897 the force was beaten back with two killed. Volunteers were called out and a detachment of Prince Alfred's Guard left for the front on 25th February. The force concentrated at Kuruman before moving to a base camp at Bishopswood near the Langeberg mountains. A first attempt on the Langeberg failed and the force waited at Bishopswood for reinforcements before making a successful second attack on 30th July.

The Langeberg Campaign was one of the specified campaigns where Colonial Forces (including serving officers) received the concession of free postage for mail addressed within the Cape Colony


provenance:
'Greca', September 2021

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£400 to £500