Lot 20176 – 1905 Picture postcard sent to St Petersburg from V

1905 Picture postcard sent to St Petersburg from Vladivostok 5 7 05 with blue circular intaglio free-frank cachet reading: CRUISER 2nd CLASS ALMAZ/PACKET. St Petersburg arrival 25 VII 05. Formerly the Viceroy Alexeiev’s private yacht, the “Almaz” was part of the ill-fated 2nd Pacific Squadron that sailed half-way round the world – from the Baltic to the sea of Japan – to be annihilated on the Battle of Tsushima (May 1905). The “Almaz” escaped to Vladivostok on 29 June 1905, a few days before this card was written, the only vessel of the Squadron larger than a destroyer to reach that port. Separate card included depicting the ship.