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Auction: 25066 - Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera
Lot: 249

France
Prison Letter
1884 Letter written from Fort du Ha, Bordeaux, by Lt Colonel G. Longley, Royal Engineers, to Baroness Burdett Coutts, the English philanthropist, c/o the British Consul at Biarritz. Longley, a prisoner, has posted the letter unstamped, attracting 2x15c postage due stamps. He appeals for help after being arrested for not paying a hotel bill due to a misunderstanding and was sentenced to three months hard labour in a "horrid dungeon where I lay for two nights with drunkards and murderers". He refers to his army service in the Crimea and China, the injustice of his position, "it is only a case of Mr Shaw and Madagascar over again. The French are so jealous of England now, that they hate us!" Longley, son of an Archbishop was acquainted with the Baroness, and begs her intercession. A rare prison letter.

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Estimate
£200 to £250

Starting price
£160