Auction 333-341 Western Australia & Great Britain - Day 3

Crimean War 1854: Stampless cover addressed to Captain Maude of the Royal Horse Artillery in Hardingstone, Northants, sent unpaid with "POST OFFICE / BRITISH ARMY" despatch cds in green (Dec 18) on reverse, alongside London cds (Dec 28), Northampton cds (Dec 29) where readdressed to Horsham, Sussex, London cds (Jan 1, 1855) and Horsham arrival in blue on obverse (Jan 2). Struck with framed "POSTAGE NOT PAID / TO LONDON" in red and charged Military concession rate of "3d." to pay. Small imperfections but a scarce cover.
Note: Captain Sir George Maude (1817-1894) was educated at Sherborne and became one of the most able and dashing young Artillery Officers, he commanded "I" Troop and led the advance on Sept 19, 1854 at the Battle of Alma. He was gravely wounded at the Battle of Balaclava on October 25 1854. This letter presumably sent by brother officers; in September 1856 he was Military assistant in Lord Granville's mission to the coronation of Czar Alexander II of Russia.
Provenance: Collection Hugh Wood.