Lot 81089 – 1877 Envelope endorsed “On Special Frontier Service / from Private Christian / Prince Alfred’s Volunteer Guards” at top and countersigned at lower left at Fort Bowker in Gcalekaland

1877 Envelope endorsed “On Special Frontier Service / from Private Christian / Prince Alfred’s Volunteer Guards” at top and countersigned at lower left at Fort Bowker in Gcalekaland, sent to Ireland and prepaid the 1d military concession rate in cash, with the 1d red pl.177 affixed on arrival in London with “E.C./64” duplex, with Queenstown arrival c.d.s. (5.1) on reverse, the envelope with crease through adhesive and some faults on reverse though of fine appearance and a most unusual item from the Ninth Frontier War in Transkei.

Note: War between the Fingo and Gcaleka tribes erupted on 3rd. August 1877. Sir Bartle Frere, Governor of the Cape, sought volunteers in support of the loyal Fingos. Prince Alfred’s Guard left on 4th. October. A second, commanded by Lt. G. Gordon (who countersigned the above letter) left on 15th. October. It operated out of Ibeka. The letter was written at Fort Bowker, a post just short of the Bashee River, 25 miles from Ibeka. Private Christian was killed in action on 22nd January 1879 in the Zulu war.

Provenance: Ex Bill Hart and Gerald Satin