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Lot# 610 - Auction 265-273

  • Lot# : 610 Ethiopia

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    Abyssinian Field Force 1867: Cover from Weymouth to Major F.S. Roberts VC., with the Abyssinian Field Force, to be forwarded from Suez, endorsed 'via Southampton' and franked by Great Britain 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 91 (2) and 1865/68 4 d. vermilion pl. 9 tied by "Weymouth / 873" duplexes (Dec 20) in black. Reverse with London transit cds (Dec 20) in blue and very fine strike of circular "FIELD FORCE POST OFFICE / ABYSSINIA" datestamp in red (Jan 17, 1868) with over-inked "F.F." obliterator adjacent. Some minor soiling but very rare.rnrnNote: The letter is addressed to 'Bobs', Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, (1832 – 1910), a British General who became one of the most successful British military commanders of his time. Born in India to an Anglo-Irish family, Roberts joined the East India Company Army and served as a young officer in the Indian Rebellion during which he won a Victoria Cross for gallantry. He was then transferred to the British Army and fought in the Expedition to Abyssinia and the Second Anglo-Afghan War, in which his exploits earned him widespread fame. Roberts would go on to serve as the Commander-in-Chief, India before leading British Forces to success in the Second Boer War. He also became the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the post was abolished in 1904.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 750.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 3,600.00 CHF