item details
Overview
This item comes from a collection of letters, covers and other historical material which Te Papa has acquired from Gerald Ellott at various times since 2001. The collection includes items from as early as 1818, but most relate to the New Zealand Wars period (1845-1872) and particularly the 1860s.
Gerald is one of New Zealand’s foremost postal historians, and for nearly sixty years has been collecting, researching and exhibiting the early postal history of New Zealand. He was invited to sign the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1988, is a recipient of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie Research Medal, and was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to philately in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The New Zealand Wars collection includes letters written by soldiers serving in British regiments in New Zealand, as well as letters from members of colonial militia and volunteer units. The content and context of the letters provide a wealth of historical, social and military information about this period. The postal markings on the letters and envelopes are also informative, allowing us to track the movement of British troops and the opening up of post offices in their wake.
Many items in the collection are mounted and annotated on archival pages. Gerald wrote the annotations for the purposes of display and storytelling. They reflect his views and the language of the time, and Te Papa has not reviewed them for accuracy.
Transcript:
[Cover]
To Mr David Bower
Gardner
Dunedin Otago
Newzealand
[Other inscriptions]
"1"
"2"
"From Gunner & Driver John Bower Rl Arty"
"Price [?] / Commanding / The Troops on / Board The Lady / McNaughton / Fright [sic] Ship"
[datestamps]
"AUCKLAND / DE 5 / 1852 / A / NEW-ZEALAND"
"WELLINGTON / DE 22 / 1852 / A / NEW-ZEALAND"
"OTAGO / MR 4 / 1853 / NEW-ZEALAND"
[Letter]
"H.M.S. Actaeon Callao
June 2nd 1837_
A vessel being on the point of sailing from Calcutta I thought it would be a pitty to let her sail without writing a line or two to Henry – although it will be some time in reaching him. George is at Lima & does not know of the opportunity or he would certainly write to Horatio_ […]on happen to know Henry’s direction I w[…] […][?] obliged to you if you will enclose […] note to him but if not I should think it […] find him as it is. Of course I can have no news from you as our last letters are 6 months old & we have only heard that there has been such a think as a flag promotion. We have not yet heard when we are to go home but are in hopes it will be in October. Will you tell Horatio that George is in Lima & does not know of the opportunity.
Believe me Ever yours affect.
Chas. Elliot"