10 August 1801 Seringapatam HG 4 Cover

10 August 1801

Seringapatam, 1801, "POST FREE SERINGAPATAM" Oval Handstamp (Giles 4). Clear strike on back of folded cover datelined Aug. 10, 1801 and addressed to J.H. Piele in Osuttah, signed "Arthur Wellesley" (later 1st Duke of Wellington) on front and letter additionally signed by him VERY FINE. A RARE "POST FREE SERINGAPATAM" HANDSTAMP ON COVER FROM ARTHUR WELLESLEY. The sender, Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), later the 1st Duke of Wellington, was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th century Great Britain. His military campaigns were extensive, and he played a key role in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War against the Sultan of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. During the Siege of Seringapatam in May 1799, Tipu Sultan was killed and the fort was captured. At the age of 30, Wellesley became the Governor of Seringapatam and Mysore. Wellesley ultimately returned to England and eventually became the Prime Minister twice, from 1828 to 1830 and again in 1834. He was also the Commander in Chief of the British Army 1827-28 and 1842-52 and the Leader of the House of Lords 1834-35 and 1841-46. This cover was written between the end of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and beginning of the Second Anglo-Maratha War in 1803.