Pamphylia in Aspendos, Silver Stater, circa 420-370BC, showing 2 wrestlers with “B” and the delta symbol between their legs on one side and “ESTFEDIIUS” with slinger standing letting loose a shot and triskeles to right, a wonderful item depicting the early Greek Olympics (Image)

1894 “L’HYMNE D’APOLLON,” the original music played during the Ancient Games which was rediscovered during the month of May 1893. This unique offering of documents tracing the fascinating story of this famous historical music score was originally owned by the Greek musician Dr. Spathis & his famous son, the Concert Conductor Theodore Spathis. This lot includes four music scores from 1893-94. 1) 1894 “L’HYMNE D’APOLLON” history & music scores in Greek & French, plus the original music written on the Ancient stone found in Delphes, this music was rearranged by Louis Nicole (see 3rd document). This music was played 1894 in Sorbonne, Paris during the Congress for the establishment of the modern Games by Gabriel Fauré the famous conductor (see 4th document). It was again played in 1914 at the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of Games in the Palais du Trocadero in Paris by the Concert Conductor Theodore Spathis (see 5th document). (6 pages plus additional page) 2) 1893 Instrumental music score the “HYMNE DELPHIQUE A APOLLON” (4 pages) 3) 1894 Choral music score the “HYMNE DELPHIQUE A APOLLON” (4 pages) 4) 1894 Instrumental music score the “HYMNE DELPHIQUE A APOLLON” (4 pages) 5) 1914 Programme for the 20th Annivisary of the re-establishment of the Games organised by the Olympic Committee. This document has the printed name of Dr. Spathis & manuscript annotation in Greek & French by Theodore Spathis. An amazing assembly of documents uniting the history of the ancient & modern Games (Image)

Fold-over postcard with map of the Olympic arenas at Olympia on the inside with Greek Committee cachet (in French), small piece of sellotape on other side reinforcing the fold, fine (Image)

1906-10, Group of 18 covers/cards, incl. 9 Palliss & Cotzias picture postcards of the Games, cover with Greece 1906 Olympics part set to 20m, postcard with red Olympics vignette (not tied), two with Athens / Apostoli cds, etc., plus unaddressed card showing part set to 2D with violet cachet (Est. € 700/1’000) (Image)

THE UNIQUE INVERTED SHEET OF THE FAMOUS WITHDRAWN ISSUE 2004 €0.65 Sampanis Leonidas complete sheet of 20 with INVERTED PRINTING from the local digital printing at Thessaloniki (with city symbol at the lower right of both panes). The local digital printing began on the 18th of August only one day after Sampanis won his medal, but sales were suspended at 3pm on the 23rd, after he twice failed a drugs test and had his gold medal stripped from him. Also including the normal sheet of 20 from Thessaloniki, which currently catalogues at €600 for one sheetlet pane in Hellas. Only 1’000 sheets were printed at Thessaloniki, and due to their quick and unexpected withdrawl, complete sheets are rare. A spectacular modern error and unique exhibition item for collectors of modern Greece issues or Olympics. If desired, this lot can be offered for auction as two separate panes. (Image)

Unique Die Proofs of Museum Importance for the Stamps of the First Modern Olympic Games Date of Issue: April 6, 1896 Engraver: E. Mouchon Designer: Gillièron 1 Lepton framed die proof in black on thin paper depicting “Wrestlers,” matted in grey, cert. Henri Trachtenberg Estimate: € 5’000 – € 8’000 (Image)

20 Lepta unframed die proof in black on carton paper depicting vase of “Pallas Athene,” matted in grey, cert. Henri Trachtenberg Estimate: € 8’000 – € 12’000 (Image)

25 Lepta framed die proof in black on carton paper depicting “Chariot-driving,” matted in grey, cert. Henri Trachtenberg Estimate: € 8’000 – € 12’000 (Image)

40 Lepta unframed die proof in black on thin paper depicting vase of “Pallas Athene,” matted in grey, cert. Henri Trachtenberg Estimate: € 8’000 – € 12’000 (Image)

60 Lepta unframed die proof in black on carton paper depicting “Chariot-driving,” matted in grey, cert. Henri Trachtenberg Estimate: € 8’000 – € 12’000 (Image)

1 Drachma framed die proof in black on ordinary paper depicting “Acropolis and Stadium,” matted in grey, cert. Henri Trachtenberg Estimate: € 3’000 – € 6’000 (Image)

1 Drachma framed die proof in black on ordinary paper depicting “Acropolis and Stadium,” matted in grey, some staining Estimate: € 2’000 – € 4’000 (Image)

10 Drachma framed die proof in black on thin paper depicting “Parthenon,” matted in grey, cert. Henri Trachtenberg Estimate: €30’000 – €60’000 An amazing holding of unique die proofs great beauty & extreme rarity, of museum quality and importance (Image)

1896 Olympics set of 12, mint lightly hinged (some lower values mint nh), very fine and fresh (Image)

1896 Olympics complete set used, all very fine, cert. Arbeiter (2010) (Image)

1896 40l Olympics with “Specimen” ovpt in violet, nearly full og (toned gum), very fine appearance (Image)

1896 Olympics 40l, 60l, 2D, 5D and 10D FORGERIES with fake cancels, 60l toned and thinned, rest fine (Image)

Mainly used selection (29) with interesting cancels, with first day of issue, Olympic dates, a maritime “PLEINE,” 10D with violet Athens cds, one with pre-perf. paper fold variety, etc., mostly fine (Image)

1896 (Mar 25) Envelope with 1896 1l to 1D values tied by Athens cds on the FIRST DAY OF ISSUE, philatelic in nature, addressed to Belgium (no arrival bs), fine and rare (Image)

1896 (May 31) Envelope sent registered to Germany with 1896 Olympics 60L single franking tied by Athens “3” cds with reg’d label adjacent, very fine and scarce usage (Image)

DURING THE GAMES: 1896 (Apr 2) Envelope to the USA with 1896 1L (3, uncancelled), 2L, 5L and 10L (2) tied by Patras APRIL 2 cds (the planned date of the closing ceremony that was cancelled due to adverse weather), London and New York bs, fine and rare cover sent during the Games (Image)

1896 (Apr 4) Hotel advertising cover with 1896 1L (5), 5L (2) and 10L tied by Athens “1” cds, French arrival front and back, very fine and attractive cover (Image)

1896 (Apr 6) 10L Postcard sent registered to Switzerland with 1896 Olympic 5L and 25L tied by Athens “7” cds, arrival bs, very fine (Image)

1896 (Apr 6) 15L Postcard sent registered to Switzerland with 1896 Olympic 1L, 2L (2) and 20L tied by Athens “7” cds, German reg’d label, arrival bs, minor soiling, fine (Image)

1896 (Apr 13) Envelope sent registered to the USA with six 1896 Olympics 10L (vert. strip of four and pair), tied by Athens “3” cds, reg’d label, London and US arrival ds, very fine (Image)