16 April 1815 Camp HG 2 Cover

16 April 1815

Siegel - India, Camp, 1815, "CAMP/POSTPAID" Two-Line Handstamp (Giles 2). Clear red handstamp on long folded letter datelined "Camp, 16th April 1815" and addressed to Bangalore, manuscript "6f" rate marking, cover with some internal splitting and couple file folds (one which crosses handstamp), still Very Fine, a scarce marking used by the Grand Army during the Mysore Wars which had a postal department attached Cavendish - BUILD UP TO 3rd MARATHA WAR - RARE RED “CAMP/POST PAID” MARK ON COVER TO BANGALORE; 16 Apr. 1815 EL (one large sheet all cross-written; reinforced folds) from “Camp” (possibly in the Belgaum area) to Bangalore with a mainly very fine red “CAMP/POST PAID” (filing fold just affects “D”) endorsed “6 f[anam]s” nicely placed on the front. The long interesting letter includes; “This being Sunday...I paid my respects to the Commander in Chief...He told me that he had no idea when we should move northward or when we might return, that as for his own part he did not believe we should cross the Rivers at all, but move up & down this one until all was settled in Bengal...”! Sent during manoeuvres at the start of the 3rd Maratha War period. Rare early Military marking. PHOTO - see opposite.

"Magnolia" Michael Manning