Metelino 1853 (Nov 17): Entire letter from Metelino to Lyon, struck with superb and extremely rare cursive "Mêtelin" handstamp in black (Pothion = 32 points) with "SMYRNE TURQUIE 17 NOV 53" transit cds alongside, reverse with Marseille transit as well as Lyon arrival (Nov 27, 1853) cds's, charged with '10' dêcimes upon arrival. An appealing cover; cert. Boule (1999).rnNote: Until the end of 1856, postage of prepaid and unpaid covers was identical. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image)

Rhodos 1854 (June 6): Entire letter from Rhodos to Paris, struck with crisp and extremely rare cursive "Rhodes" handstamp in black (Pothion = 32 points) with Smyrne transit cds's (June 6/7, 1854) alongside, reverse with Paris arrival (June 17, 1854) cds, charged with '10' dêcimes upon arrival. An appealing cover.rnNote: Until the end of 1856, postage of prepaid and unpaid covers was identical. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Rhodos 1861 (Dec 13): Entire letter from Rhodos to Flaviac Ardèche, franked with 1853/60 Napolêon imperforated 10 c. bistre type II and 40 c. orange, cancelled together by one light strike of Petits Chiffres '3772' numeral with superb cogwheel "RHODES TURQUIE 13 DEC 61" cds (Pothion = 29 points) and framed "P.P." in black alongside, reverse with Marseille-Lyon TPO and Flaviac arrival (Dec 25, 1861) cds. Both adhesives touched at one side, file fold well away from stamps and strikes, an attractive and scarce cover; signed Lamy; cert. Robineau (1979). (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Rhodos 1879 (Feb 7): Entire letter from Syros to Rhodos, franked with Greece Large Hermes Heads 30 lep. brown Athens printing (Mi 45), fair to large margins, fresh colour, tied by "SYRA 7 FEB 79" cds (Julian calendar) in black, reverse with "SMYRNE TURQUIE D'ASIE 20 FEVR 79" transit cds (Gregorian calendar) and cogwheel "RHODES 22 FEVR 79" cds in blue. Cover opened up for display, a rare item showing the postal relationsship between Independent Greece and Greek Islands under Osman rule. (Image 1) (Image)

Salonico 1813 (May 1): Entire letter from Salonico to Lyon, struck with extremely rare framed "SALONIQUE" in black (Pothion = 34 points), "Milano LT" transit handstamp in red alongside. The cover was slitted and purified with vinegar, charged '14' dêcimes upon arrival. An exceptionally rare cover, cert. Brun (2017).rnProvenance: David Franco collection, Feldman sale (Dec 2017), lot 30079.rnNote: Starting in May 1812 the French postal administration established a separate postal service to Constantinople starting in Laibach. The first French post offices related to this service were opened in Constantinople, Smyrne and Salonico. One of the few covers known before the offices were already closed in December 1813. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Salonico 1860 (April 3): Entire letter at triple rate from Salonico to Milano, endorsed "Via Genova", franked with 1853 Napolêom imperforated 20 c. blue, 40 c. orange and 80 c. rose, a single and a vertical pair (touched at left and top), tied by Petits Chiffres '4102' numeral in black, cogwheel "SALONIQUE TURQ. D'EUROPE 3 AVRIL 60" cds (combination in Pothion not listed), framed "P.P." in black and "PIROSCAFI POSTALI FRANCESI" in red alongside, reverse with Genova transit and Milano arrival (April 13) cds's. File fold leading to some stamp imperfections, but an impressive franking.rnNote: Until end of 1860, the single rate from the Levant to Sardinia was 100 centimes. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Salonico 1862 (May 27): Entire letter at double rate from Salonico to Constantinople, franked with 1853 Napolêon imperforated 20 c. blue in a strip of five, a fresh and fine multiple with fair to enormous margins and vivid colour, tied by Petits Chiffres '4102' numeral in black, cogwheel "SALONIQUE TURQ. D'EUROPE 27 MAI 62" cds (combination in Pothion not listed) and framed "P.P." in black alongside, reverse with Constantinople Turquie arrival (May 31) cds's. An impressive franking.rnNote: From 1862 to 1865, the single rate was 50 centimes for ten gr. each. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Salonico 1864 (Jan 19): Entire letter from Salonico to Genova, franked with 1862 Napolêon perforated 80 c. rose, a fresh and fine adhesive with vivid colour, tied by Gros Chiffres '5095' numeral in black, cogwheel "SALONIQUE TURQUIE 19 JANV 64" cds (Pothion = 12 points) and framed PD in black alongside, reverse with Les Dardanelles Turquie (Jan 23) transit and Genova arrival (Feb 4) cds's. An attractive entire. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Salonico 1865 (Sept 25): Entire letter from Salonico to Milano, franked with 1862 Napolêon perforated 20 c. blue in a right marginal vertical strip of four including a tête-bêche pair, a fresh and fine multiple with vivid colour, tied by Gros Chiffres '5095' numerals in black, cogwheel "SALONIQUE TURQUIE 25 SEPT 65" cds (Pothion = 12 points) and framed PD in black alongside, reverse with Les Dardanelles Turquie (Sept 29) and Napoli transit (Oct 12) cds's as well as Milano arrival cds's. The cover slitted not affecting the multiple, an extremely rare tête-bêche franking in the Levant. Signed Miro, Enzo Diena and Calves; cert. Roumet (2000) Yvert = € 3'500 for a tête-bêche pair on cover.rnNote: From 1861 to 1865, the single rate from the Levant to Sardinia was 80 centimes for 7.5 gr. each. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image)

Salonico 1868 (Aug 18): Unpaid Letter sheet from Salonico to Birmingham, struck with cogwheel "SALONIQUE 18 AOUT 68" cds in black, framed "PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANEE" handstamp in red and arrival cds (Aug 27) alongside, reverse with Marseille and London transit cds's. The front bears the postal treaty mark "FR / 2f 40c" in the extremely rare red colour (van der Linden fig. 1266, not listed in red) which shows the postage France got from the United Kingdom for each ounce of weight, the receiver had to pay '9' pence. Cert. Roumet (2006). (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Salonico 1871 (May 30): Letter sheet from Salonico to Genova, franked with 1870 Bordeaux definitive 30 c. brown in a vertical pair, a fresh and fine adhesive with vivid colour and fait to enormous margins including parts of two neighbouring stamps, tied by Gros Chiffres '5095' numerals in black, cogwheel "SALONIQUE TURQUIE 30 MAI 71" cds (Pothion = 12 points) and framed PD in black alongside, reverse with Les Dardanelles Turquie (Jan 23) and Messina transit cds's. A rare franking; signed Brun; cert. Roumet (2000). (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Smyrne 1857 (Feb. 7): Entire letter from Smyrna to Lyon, franked with Napolêon imperforated 10 c. bistre type I and vertical pair of 20 c. blue type I, the lower stamp showing variety 'POSTFS' (Yvert 14Ah/Maury 14/Ik), tied by type 15 circular datestamp "SMYRNE TURQUIE 7 FEVR. 57", framed "P.P." alongside, reverse with Marseille and Marseille-Lyon Special TPO as well as Lyon arrival cds's (Feb. 12). The 10c. stamp is touched at base, the cancellation applied six times on three stamps, but a very early usage of stamps in this case with a variety; cert. von der Weid (1986).rnNote: Usage of stamps in French Levant offices in general is known from the beginning of 1857. In Smyrna, the usage of stamps is known from February 1857 making this item a very early usage. The stamps were obliterated in Smyrna between February and Mai with the datestamp not with the Petits Chiffres numeral '3709' of the Bureau de recette. This could be due to the lack of the numeral obliterator which would also explain the heavy cancellation of the stamps on this item. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Smyrne 1860 (Jan. 17): Letter sheet from Smyrna to Berlin, franked with Napolêon imperforated 10 c. bistre, 20 c. blue and 40 c. orange, all in type I, tied by Petits Chiffres numeral '3709' with "SMYRNE TURQUIE 17 JAN. 60" cds, framed PD, Paris and Aachen Franco transit cds in red alongside, reverse with French TPO as well as Berlin distribution cds's (Jan. 29). The 20c. stamp is touched at top, the other stamps have fair to good margins, a fine usage to Prussia.rnNote: Receiver of this letter is Ludwig Peter Spiegelthal, who was Consul General of Prussia in Smyrna from 1851 to 1859. He was very much interested in archeology of that region. 70 c. was the single rate to Prussia starting in January 1857. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Smyrne 1862 (Feb 11): Unpaid Entire letter from Smyrna to Athenes, despatched at the French PO in Smyrna and struck with "SMYRNE TURQUIE 11 FEVR 62" cds, reverse with Piraeus transit (Feb 2, Julian calendar) and Athenes arrival cds of the same day. Upon arrival '65' lepta due were noted in red crayon on front, in addition 1861 Paris Printing 40 lep. mauve and 1861/62 First Athens Printing 5 lep. blue-green and 20 lep. deep blue were added, three fresh adhesives with fair to large margins, tied by '1' numeral of Athens. 20 lepta shaved at right top, but a very fine and scarce cover. Cert. Holcombe (1992). (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Smyrne 1862 (May 13): Entire letter from Smyrna to Marseille, franked with Napolêon imperforated 20 c. blue type II and 80 c. rose, two fresh and fine adhesives with fair to large margins, tied by Petits Chiffres '3709' numeral, type 15 "SMYRNE TURQUIE 13 MAI 62" cds, framed "P.P." and framed "PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANEE" in red alongside, reverse with Marseille arrival cds (May 21). An attractive cover at double rate; signed Brun, cert. Roumet (2005).rnNote: Shipmail journey from Smyrne with the vessel 'SIMOIS'. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Smyrne, Paquebots 1869 (May 18): Letter sheet from Smyrna to Lyon, franked with 1868 Napolêon laurê 20 c. blue and 40 c. orange, two fresh and fine adhesives with vibrant colour, tied by decorative Ancre lozenges in blue, octagonal "SMYRNE PAQ. FR. X . 18 MAI 69" datestamp (Salles fig. 911) and framed PD, both in blue alongside, reverse with Messina transit cds and Genova rectangular datestamp (May 26). A wonderful cover of great visual appeal. Signed Calves.rnNote: Shipline X from Marseille to Syria via Smyrna and Alexandria was opened in 1866. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Smyrne 1871 (March 10): Letter sheet from Smyrna to Salerno, franked with 1870 Bordeaux 20 c. blue type III report 2 in a horizontal strip of three, a fine and fresh multiple with good to enormous margins all round, tied by Gros Chiffres '5098' numeral, type 15 "SMYRNE TURQUIE 10 MARS 71" cds and framed PD in red alongside, reverse with Messina and Napoli transit cds's as well as Salerno arrival cds (March 14). A rare and attractive franking cover at single rate. Cert Behr (2000).rnProvenance: collection Blanc.rnNote: An extremely rare franking with adhesives of the Bordeaux issue, correct rate of 60 c. to Italy after January 1866. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image)

Smyrne 1873 (Jan 17): Letter sheet from Smyrna to Lyon, franked with 1872 Cêrès 80 c. rose, four fresh adhesives, tied by Gros Chiffres '5098' numeral, type 15 "SMYRNE TURQUIE 17 JANV 73" cds and framed PD in red alongside, reverse with Marseille-Lyon Special TPO transit cds (Jan 25). Some perforation irregularities, a rare and attractive cover at quadruple rate.rnNote: After the Franco-Prussian war, the Levant rates were increased from 40 c. to 80 c. per 10 gr. starting in July 1871 until France joined the UPU in 1876. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Smyrne 1873 (Jan 17): Entire letter from Smyrna to Marseille, franked with 1870 Siège 40 c. orange in a horizontal pair, the positions 145 and 146 showing variety '4 retouchê' in the right stamp, cancelled by Gros Chiffres '5098' numeral, type 15 "SMYRNE TURQUIE 17 JANV 73" cds, framed PD and framed "PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANEE", both in red alongside, reverse with Marseille arrival cds (Jan 25). Some perforation irregularities, a rare franking on an attractive single rate cover. Signed Brun; cert. Roumet (2007). (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

Smyrna 1837/1901: Collection 19 covers from or to the French Levant post office in Smyrna incl. four desinfected entires with 1837 to Marseille & 1844 to London, forwarded to Boston, both slitted and struck with "Purifiêeà Marseille" handstamp, 1846 with "PURIFIE AU LAZARET MALTE" handstamp, 1843 to Athens with Greek disinfection cachets applied in Piraeus; prepaid mail to Italy with 1865 first rate cover to Genova franked at 80 c. rate and 1870 double rate cover to Messina with Napolêon laureated 80 c. & 40 c., 1869 single rate cover to Marseille with strip of four Napolêon laureated 10 c. bistre, 1870 unpaid entire to New York with rare "FR / 2f 40c" postal treaty mark, two covers with octagonal Smyrne Paquebots datestamps, five covers with Sage frankings, in addition usage of a French and a Austrian Levant stationery postcard from Smyrne . (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image 5) (Image 6) (Image 7) (Image 8) (Image 9) (Image 10) (Image 11) (Image 12) (Image 13) (Image 14) (Image)

Thessaloniki & Volos 1857/1902: Collection 24 covers from the French Levant post office in Salonico incl. 1857 unpaid entire, 1859 double rate cover to Livorno with Petits Chiffres '4012', six covers 1867/75 to Italy, one to Constantinople and one to Marseille, all with Gros Chiffres '5095', two items from the Bureau de Recette "Salonique / Qtier Franc", three 1878/79 covers with cogwheel cancellations in blue and violet, charged postcards and incoming mail from Spain; in addition two entires, sent in 1869/79 from Volos to Lyon, franked with Napolêon perforated and Sage, both cancelled upon arrival in Marseille. One cert. Roumet. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image 5) (Image 6) (Image 7) (Image 8) (Image 9) (Image 10) (Image 11) (Image 12) (Image 13) (Image 14) (Image 15) (Image 16) (Image)

Volos 1876 (May 16): Entire letter from Volos to Genova, franked with 1872 Cêrès 30 c. brown, a fine adhesive with vivid colour, tied by straight-line "col Postali Francesi" in black (Pothion = 32 points), reverse with Napoli transit (May 24) and Genova arrival (May 26) cds's. Minor toning at the perforation of the adhesive, a very rare provisional cancellation.rnNote: This straight-line cancellation was in use in Volos on outgoing and incoming mail. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Aegean Islands 1856/1902: Collection ten covers from the French Levant post offices in Meteline, Vathy & Rhodos incl. Meteline two 1858/64 entires to Marseille with 50 and 100 c. frankings of Napolêon imperforated and perforated, respectively, the franking tied by Petits Chiffres '3771' and Gros Chiffres '5093', respectively; Vathy on Samos two 1896/98 Sage frankings, one sent registered, both with cogwheel cancellations; Rhodos 1856 unpaid cover to Syros, 1868 franked cover to Marseille, four outgoing Sage frankings, one to Great Britain, one to Algeria and one to Finland. Two certificates. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image 5) (Image 6) (Image 7) (Image 8) (Image 9) (Image)

Canea 1899 (Feb 22): Registered Envelope from Heraklion to Berlin, franked with 10 pa. blue adhesive of the British post offices in Crete (Gi B2) and French Levant 1 pia. on 25 c. black on rose in a horizontal pair, all tied by "LA CANEE CRETE 22 FEVR 99" cds in black, framed R alongside, reverse with Berlin distribution cds (March 1, 1899). Cert. Roumet (2002).rnNote: In November 1898, British, French, Italian and Russian troops were stationed in separate zones of Crete after the autonomy of Crete under Osman suzerainty. Overseas mail from the British mail from the British sector had to be franked with the corresponding British stamp and to be forwarded to the Austrian or French post offices at Canea where it was franked with the corresponding stamps. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image)

Hierapetra 1898 (Oct 11): Free of charge military Envelope from Hierapetra to Paris, handstamped with crisp "HIERAPETRA CRETE 11 OCT 98" cds in black, clean military handstamp "SECTEUR FRANCAIS CRETE LE COMMANDANT" alongside, reverse with La Canee Crete, Marseille and Vire transit as well as Paris arrival cds's. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)