EXCEPTIONAL BADEN-POWELL AUTOGRAPH LETTER RE THE SIEGE OF MAFEKING

An exceptional 3pp. (33x20cms) autograph letter by Baden-Powell to "Dear Mr. Riesle" (presumably Mr. G. Riesle, apparently Mayor of Mafeking at the time), dated Lichtenburg, 17th. Sept. 1902, on a South African Constabulary letterhead. Circa 400 words.

Written four months after the end of the Boer War,  Baden-Powell  had just made a "flying visit" to Mafeking to receive an award from the Town of Mafeking for his command during the Mafeking Siege. The ceremony was presided over by a Mr. Friend (the Deputy Mayor) in Mr. Riesle’s absence. The letter is one of thanks for the honour and the gift and in it he expresses his noble and self effacing sentiments about the Siege:

"The time that has  now elapsed since the siege, and the numerous greater military operations in other parts of the country have by now placed our particular item of the campaign in more proper perspective and have shown that the success of the defence was due not so much to the figure-head as to the admirable spirit of unanimity of the defences - whether disciplined troops, Town Guards, or ordinary citizens - to the patience and fortitude of the women and children, to the largemindedness with which men of all creeds and nationalities sank their several differences, to the loyalty with which all submitted themselves to the necessary discipline and hardships, and worked together for the main end, namely the maintenance of Her Majesty’s supremacy in these parts." For the full text of the letter, please view the images supplied.

A wonderful letter written and signed boldly and clearly in an easily legible handwriting and in very good condition.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) was a British general and founder of the modern Scouting movement. Baden-Powell became a national hero during the Boer war of 1899-1900 when, with a small garrison, he commanded the defence of Mafeking.