Lot 20173 – 1904 Picture postcard of natives of Sainte-Marie,

1904 Picture postcard of natives of Sainte-Marie, Madagascar, addressed to St Petersburg by crew-member of Russian Baltic Fleet under Admiral Roshventdeski, en route to the Far East, dateline “Madagascar 28 Dek”. received Naval HQ in St Petersburg and put into the post 13 2 1905 and delivered the next day. The main flotilla of the 2nd Pacific Squadron arrived at Sainte-Marie late in December 1904. During their visit ships deemed unfit to continue the long haul to the Far East were sent back to Russia along with the sick personnel, mail etc.