Lot 30018 – 1872 (6 & 13 May) Envelope with two enclosed lette

1872 (6 & 13 May) Envelope with two enclosed letters from an officer A. Hanne on the H.M.S. “Columbine” noting in manuscript “Slave Cruising between Brava and Socotra”. Noted in the letters: “After leaving Seychelles we went to Zanzibar to fill up on provisions. When we arrived there found Livingstone expedition has just arrived in the steamer ‘Abydos’, Dawson the leader of the expedition was on board the ‘Britannia’ with me…” and further describes “We took a new interpreter in here and he said that when he was up at the Lakes he saw Dr. Livingstone who was all right except that his left arm was in a sling from the effects of a lion bite…” This cover is the earliest known officer’s letter from the British anti-slave patrol ships off East Africa. Franked with ten 1858-79 1d red pl.134 tied by “P” numerals. Small portion of backflap missing else fine and rare.