Scan or Photo Courtesy of Corinphila Auctions
Date
26 July 1840
Description
1st Afghan War / Occupation of Kandahar 1840 (July 26): Entire letter written by Lt. R.A. Trotter of 43rd Bengal N.I. from Kandahar to Patna and endorsed "Candahar" on reverse, endorsed at top "10 annas Bg" (Bearing) as pre-payment was not possible, struck on reverse with framed "PATNA / August 29 / Bearing 10 as." manuscript filled datestamp in brownish ink. Fascinating letter (transcript accompanies the lot) "the heat was dreadful during the day, thermometer never under 100⁰ and ....as high as 112⁰...as for the stuff one reads in the papers about leaving Shah Souojah to take care of himself with his contingent, the very idea is perfectly absurd and it is the opinion of almost every man in Afghanistan that were such a thing to take place, Shah Soojah or "Our King" as MacNaghten calls him, would be back in Loodianah before the Regulars. He is detested by the people and the best thing not only for us but this country would be his death....". The writer goes on to worry about the Dooranee chiefs and the Baluchi's attacking the rear at Quetta and also includes a fine pencil drawing of the writer (aged 26) in Kandahar. A fascinating and historic entire. Provenance: R.A. Siegel, New York, 30 Oct 1996, lot 2473. Automatisch generierte Übersetzung: Erste Afghanistankrieg / Besetzung von Kandahar 1840 (Juli 26) : vollständiger Brief geschrieben von Lt. R. A. Trotter von 43rd Bengalen N. I. Ab Kandahar nach Patna und mit dem Vermerk "Candahar" auf der Rückseite, Vermerk oben "10 annas Bg" (mit) als pre-payment war nicht möglich, Abschlag auf der Rückseite mit eingerahmt "PATNA / August 29 / mit 10 als. "handschriftlich gefüllt Datumsstempel in bräunlich Tinte. Faszinierender Brief (Protokoll begleitet das Los) "die Hitze war grauslich im Lauf / Laufe des Tages, thermometer nie unter 100⁰ und ... Als hoch als 112⁰ ...as für die Stopfens ein lautet in der Zeitung ungefähr lässt Schah Souojah achtgeben auf selbst mit seinem Kontingent, schon der Gedanke ist einwandfreie unsinnig und es ist die Befund von fast jeder in Afghanistan jenes wären so etwas abgehalten werden, Schah Soojah oder "unser König" als Mac Naghten RUFE ihn, wollte sein Rückseite in Loodianah vor die Stammgäste. Er ist verabscheut bei das Volk und das Beste thing nicht nur für uns dies aber Land wollte sein seiner Todes ... ". Der Schreiber fährt auf ärgern über das Dooranee Chefs und die Baluchis attackierend die Etappe zu Quetta und auch dabei ein feines Bleistiftzeichnung von der Schreiber (gealtert 26) in Kandahar. Ein faszinierend und historisches Ganzstück. Provenienz: R. A. Siegel, NewYork, 30 Oct 1996, Los 2473. "Candahar July 26th/40." Dateline on eight-page folded letter from Lt. R.A. Trotter of the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry, to his father at Patna: "For the last two months I have been out with General Nott and rthe right wing of our Regt., knocking about the country after adventurers...without seeing a shot fired, as the whole insurrection had been put down...to give the Ghlizecs their due, they stood well. Shah Soojah, or `Our King' as Macnaghaten calls him, would be back in Lodianah long before the Regulars...It is a well known fact that the Dooranee Chiefs, although nominally friends of the Shah;s, detest him most thoroughly, so you may suppose the country is not in usch a settled state as some people would make us believe. Had I the power put into my hands I would blow away from a gun every morning a few of these sadid Dooranee Chiefs, I would continue the practice till the remainder were brought to their senses." etc. Trotter also discusses the war in China, and is severely critical of the "politicals' in Hyderabad and Afghanistan and describes how the Baloochees robbed the mails for Quetta. He adds in some cross-writing: "Captain Lewis of the 42nd took my likeness the other day, and although he has made me look rather fierce, yet all here say it is one of the best he has taken." Lettersheet with clear "PATNA" boxed datestamp and ms. "Candahar" on back, ms. "10 as By" , Very Fine; the pencil drawing of the lieutenan, kept by his father with the letter, accompanies this lot
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Other recorded marks at Patna
19 marks19 other pre-1854 postal markings of Patna are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
- Patna HG 1handstampBlack1785
- Patna HG 2handstampRed1795–1814
- Patna HG 3handstampBlack1797
- Patna HG 4handstampBlack1816
- Patna HG 5handstampBlack1818
- Patna HG 6handstampBlack1823–1829
+13 more at this office.View all Patna marks and postal history →
About this Patna pre stamp cover
COV-5107 is a Patna pre stamp cover of 26 July 1840 bearing the Patna HG 15 handstamp, struck in black, recorded in the census of Patna postal history, Bengal Presidency. What is a pre stamp cover?
1st Afghan War / Occupation of Kandahar 1840 (July 26): Entire letter written by Lt. R.A. Trotter of 43rd Bengal N.I. from Kandahar to Patna and endorsed "Candahar" on reverse, endorsed at top "10 annas Bg" (Bearing) as pre-payment was not possible, struck on reverse with framed "PATNA / August 29 / Bearing 10 as." manuscript filled datestamp in brownish ink. Fascinating letter (transcript accompanies the lot) "the heat was dreadful during the day, thermometer never under 100⁰ and ....as high as 112⁰...as for the stuff one reads in the papers about leaving Shah Souojah to take care of himself with his contingent, the very idea is perfectly absurd and it is the opinion of almost every man in Afghanistan that were such a thing to take place, Shah Soojah or "Our King" as MacNaghten calls him, would be back in Loodianah before the Regulars. He is detested by the people and the best thing not only for us but this country would be his death....". The writer goes on to worry about the Dooranee chiefs and the Baluchi's attacking the rear at Quetta and also includes a fine pencil drawing of the writer (aged 26) in Kandahar. A fascinating and historic entire. Provenance: R.A. Siegel, New York, 30 Oct 1996, lot 2473. Automatisch generierte Übersetzung: Erste Afghanistankrieg / Besetzung von Kandahar 1840 (Juli 26) : vollständiger Brief geschrieben von Lt. R. A. Trotter von 43rd Bengalen N. I. Ab Kandahar nach Patna und mit dem Vermerk "Candahar" auf der Rückseite, Vermerk oben "10 annas Bg" (mit) als pre-payment war nicht möglich, Abschlag auf der Rückseite mit eingerahmt "PATNA / August 29 / mit 10 als. "handschriftlich gefüllt Datumsstempel in bräunlich Tinte. Faszinierender Brief (Protokoll begleitet das Los) "die Hitze war grauslich im Lauf / Laufe des Tages, thermometer nie unter 100⁰ und ... Als hoch als 112⁰ ...as für die Stopfens ein lautet in der Zeitung ungefähr lässt Schah Souojah achtgeben auf selbst mit seinem Kontingent, schon der Gedanke ist einwandfreie unsinnig und es ist die Befund von fast jeder in Afghanistan jenes wären so etwas abgehalten werden, Schah Soojah oder "unser König" als Mac Naghten RUFE ihn, wollte sein Rückseite in Loodianah vor die Stammgäste. Er ist verabscheut bei das Volk und das Beste thing nicht nur für uns dies aber Land wollte sein seiner Todes ... ". Der Schreiber fährt auf ärgern über das Dooranee Chefs und die Baluchis attackierend die Etappe zu Quetta und auch dabei ein feines Bleistiftzeichnung von der Schreiber (gealtert 26) in Kandahar. Ein faszinierend und historisches Ganzstück. Provenienz: R. A. Siegel, NewYork, 30 Oct 1996, Los 2473. "Candahar July 26th/40." Dateline on eight-page folded letter from Lt. R.A. Trotter of the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry, to his father at Patna: "For the last two months I have been out with General Nott and rthe right wing of our Regt., knocking about the country after adventurers...without seeing a shot fired, as the whole insurrection had been put down...to give the Ghlizecs their due, they stood well. Shah Soojah, or `Our King' as Macnaghaten calls him, would be back in Lodianah long before the Regulars...It is a well known fact that the Dooranee Chiefs, although nominally friends of the Shah;s, detest him most thoroughly, so you may suppose the country is not in usch a settled state as some people would make us believe. Had I the power put into my hands I would blow away from a gun every morning a few of these sadid Dooranee Chiefs, I would continue the practice till the remainder were brought to their senses." etc. Trotter also discusses the war in China, and is severely critical of the "politicals' in Hyderabad and Afghanistan and describes how the Baloochees robbed the mails for Quetta. He adds in some cross-writing: "Captain Lewis of the 42nd took my likeness the other day, and although he has made me look rather fierce, yet all here say it is one of the best he has taken." Lettersheet with clear "PATNA" boxed datestamp and ms. "Candahar" on back, ms. "10 as By" , Very Fine; the pencil drawing of the lieutenan, kept by his father with the letter, accompanies this lot
Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Foreign Stamps (Sale 782) lot 2260 (30 Oct 1996); and Corinphila 367. - 371. Corinphila Auktion lot 6010.
2 images of COV-5107 are recorded (front); the Patna HG 15 mark itself is recorded in use 1839–1847.
Questions about COV-5107
- What is COV-5107?
- COV-5107 is a recorded pre stamp cover of Patna, Bengal Presidency of 26 July 1840, bearing the Patna HG 15 handstamp in black. 1st Afghan War / Occupation of Kandahar 1840 (July 26): Entire letter written by Lt. R.A. Trotter of 43rd Bengal N.I. from Kandahar to Patna and endorsed "Candahar" on reverse, endorsed at top "10 annas Bg" (Bearing) as pre-payment was not possible, struck on reverse with framed "PATNA / August 29 / Bearing 10 as." manuscript filled datestamp in brownish ink. Fascinating letter (transcript accompanies the lot) "the heat was dreadful during the day, thermometer never under 100⁰ and ....as high as 112⁰...as for the stuff one reads in the papers about leaving Shah Souojah to take care of himself with his contingent, the very idea is perfectly absurd and it is the opinion of almost every man in Afghanistan that were such a thing to take place, Shah Soojah or "Our King" as MacNaghten calls him, would be back in Loodianah before the Regulars. He is detested by the people and the best thing not only for us but this country would be his death....". The writer goes on to worry about the Dooranee chiefs and the Baluchi's attacking the rear at Quetta and also includes a fine pencil drawing of the writer (aged 26) in Kandahar. A fascinating and historic entire. Provenance: R.A. Siegel, New York, 30 Oct 1996, lot 2473. Automatisch generierte Übersetzung: Erste Afghanistankrieg / Besetzung von Kandahar 1840 (Juli 26) : vollständiger Brief geschrieben von Lt. R. A. Trotter von 43rd Bengalen N. I. Ab Kandahar nach Patna und mit dem Vermerk "Candahar" auf der Rückseite, Vermerk oben "10 annas Bg" (mit) als pre-payment war nicht möglich, Abschlag auf der Rückseite mit eingerahmt "PATNA / August 29 / mit 10 als. "handschriftlich gefüllt Datumsstempel in bräunlich Tinte. Faszinierender Brief (Protokoll begleitet das Los) "die Hitze war grauslich im Lauf / Laufe des Tages, thermometer nie unter 100⁰ und ... Als hoch als 112⁰ ...as für die Stopfens ein lautet in der Zeitung ungefähr lässt Schah Souojah achtgeben auf selbst mit seinem Kontingent, schon der Gedanke ist einwandfreie unsinnig und es ist die Befund von fast jeder in Afghanistan jenes wären so etwas abgehalten werden, Schah Soojah oder "unser König" als Mac Naghten RUFE ihn, wollte sein Rückseite in Loodianah vor die Stammgäste. Er ist verabscheut bei das Volk und das Beste thing nicht nur für uns dies aber Land wollte sein seiner Todes ... ". Der Schreiber fährt auf ärgern über das Dooranee Chefs und die Baluchis attackierend die Etappe zu Quetta und auch dabei ein feines Bleistiftzeichnung von der Schreiber (gealtert 26) in Kandahar. Ein faszinierend und historisches Ganzstück. Provenienz: R. A. Siegel, NewYork, 30 Oct 1996, Los 2473. "Candahar July 26th/40." Dateline on eight-page folded letter from Lt. R.A. Trotter of the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry, to his father at Patna: "For the last two months I have been out with General Nott and rthe right wing of our Regt., knocking about the country after adventurers...without seeing a shot fired, as the whole insurrection had been put down...to give the Ghlizecs their due, they stood well. Shah Soojah, or `Our King' as Macnaghaten calls him, would be back in Lodianah long before the Regulars...It is a well known fact that the Dooranee Chiefs, although nominally friends of the Shah;s, detest him most thoroughly, so you may suppose the country is not in usch a settled state as some people would make us believe. Had I the power put into my hands I would blow away from a gun every morning a few of these sadid Dooranee Chiefs, I would continue the practice till the remainder were brought to their senses." etc. Trotter also discusses the war in China, and is severely critical of the "politicals' in Hyderabad and Afghanistan and describes how the Baloochees robbed the mails for Quetta. He adds in some cross-writing: "Captain Lewis of the 42nd took my likeness the other day, and although he has made me look rather fierce, yet all here say it is one of the best he has taken." Lettersheet with clear "PATNA" boxed datestamp and ms. "Candahar" on back, ms. "10 as By" , Very Fine; the pencil drawing of the lieutenan, kept by his father with the letter, accompanies this lot
- How scarce is the Patna HG 15 mark on this cover?
- The census grades Patna HG 15 as common, counted from surviving recorded covers rather than estimated. The mark is recorded in use 1839–1847.
- What is the provenance of COV-5107?
- Its recorded auction history runs through Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Foreign Stamps (Sale 782) lot 2260 (30 Oct 1996); and Corinphila 367. - 371. Corinphila Auktion lot 6010.
- When was COV-5107 posted?
- COV-5107 is dated 26 July 1840, within the recorded period of use of Patna HG 15 (1839–1847).
About this record
This 26 July 1840 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Patna HG 15 handstamp of the Bengal Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — one of 4 surviving covers with this mark recorded. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Foreign Stamps (Sale 782), lot 2260, (30 Oct 1996); Corinphila Auctions, 367. - 371. Corinphila Auktion, lot 6010.