1779 (May 29): Entire Letter from Aleppo to Marseille forwarded 'Via Constantinople D.L.C.' (Dieu Le Conduit) July 2, 1779, fumigated in transit and disinfected at the health office in Constantinople. Fine early letter. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image)
Opening CHF 150.00
Sold...CHF 150.00
Closed..Jun-07-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 150
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 6196
Symbol:
French Shipmail in the Levant 1857 (Feb 23): Entire letter from Constantinople to Marseille, bearing Napoléon imperf. 10 c. bistre and pair 20 c. dark blue, both in type I, fine and fresh examples with good to large margins, each adhesive tied by Ship's "INDUS 23 FEVR. 7" datestamp with inverted and partial year slug in black, an information strike and framed "PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANÉE" handstamp in red alongside. Reverse with MARSEILLE arrival (March 2, 57) cds. A very fresh entire from the return journey of first travel of the 'Indus' steamer (Salles vol. II, p 93, RR), signed Calves & Lamy. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image)
Opening CHF 250.00
Sold...CHF 250.00
Closed..Jun-02-2023, 12:00:00 EST
Sold For 250
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 6211
Symbol:
French and British offices in the Levant 1862: Cover from Beirut via Alexandria to Lyon, bearing Cérès 1871/72 5 c. green and 25 c. blue type III in a combination franking with Great Britain 1873-80 2½ d. rosy mauve (Gi 139 = Z6). Upon despatch in Beirut, the British adhesive was tied by bold vertical oval 'G06' with "BRITISH POST OFFICE BEYROUT" cds (July 27, 76) alongside. The cover was transfered to the French postal system in Alexandria, where the Cérès adhesives were cancelled by fair "ALEXANDRIE EGYPTE" cds (July 31, 76) cds with information strike alongside. The cover was returned to the British and the front was struck by French "PAQ. ANG. V. BRIND. / A MOD. / 5 AOUT 76" entry cds in red, reverse with LYON arrival (Aug 6) arrival cds. Horizontal file fold well away from combination franking, a very interesting cover showing in principal two correct UPU frankings of the British and the French post offices, a sought after combination. Signed Roumet & Calves; certs. E. Diena (1987), Brun (2022).rnrnNote: In 1873, Great Britain opened a Consular post office in Beirut which used the French and Italian post offices in Alexandria as intermediaries, in order to transmit its mail towards Europe. Between 1873 and 1876, i.e. well into the time of the General Postal Union, mail from the British P.O. in Beirut shows always combination frankings between British and French or Italian adhesives, respectively. It is not clear why this procedure was not discontinued in July 1875 after France had joined the GPU. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image 3)(Image 4)(Image)
