227 : Europe & Overseas

British Forces 1801 (Oct 6): Entire letter written by Lt. De Havilland of the Engineers headed "Camp near Alexandria" and mailed to Guernsey via Forwarding Agent's Brock Le Mesurier in London. Written a month after the French surrender following the Siege of Alexandria, the letter states "the whole of the French are now nearly embarked, as soon as they are we Engineers will go onto Alexandria immediately to make our plans...". Struck on arrival with oval "Ship Lre / Crown / PORTSMOUTH" in black (Robertson S8) with rate due of 1/8d. (paid by Brock Le Mesurier) and charged another 1/6d. due in manuscript from London to Guernsey. A remarkable double sheet entire letter of great scarcity. Signed Todd AIEP.
Catalogue 227: EUROPE & OVERSEAS