1762 First British Occupation of Guadeloupe folded letter to Marseilles originating from Saint Pierre on Martinique Island, which was then also conquered by the British, where it was rated "2e", 2 escalines, struck on reverse in transit with British "Guadaloupe" straight line handstamp in brown-black, carried via London with Bishop mark alongside, "1N6" 1/ 6d rating notation on front, in addition showing "30" centimes also in manuscript on obverse to be collected on receipt, very fine.During the Seven Years War, Guadeloupe was occupied by the British in April 1759, and Martinique on March 2, 1762. Both were handed back to French administration in July 1763. In Martinique no British postal markings were into usage at that time, meanwhile in Guadeloupe, during this first period of British occupation, only this straight line handstamp, 56x6mm, was into use. The only item recorded giving evidence to the usage of this British postmark, with its desirability being further enhanced by the fact of representing an extraordinary letter featuring the British occupation of both territories, Guadeloupe and Martinique, in this early period (Robson Lowe HS1, Jamet 1). (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1783 Second British Occupation of Guadeloupe folded letter to Caen (France), exhibiting a superb strike of "Guadeloupe." straight line handstamp of French origin, rated at 18 centimes on arrival, struck in transit at top with "B" crowned marking of Bordeaux, a delightful letter of outstanding quality: less than five covers recorded bearing this postmark.During the American War of Independence, Guadeloupe was seized in 1779, and was returned to France in 1783, when England recognized the independence of the American colonies. (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1833 Fourth British Occupation of Guadeloupe folded letter to Aberdeen, dated January 1st, showing very fine "Guadeloupe" straight-line, second type, intially rated in manuscript "26" and amended to "48", with arrival datestamp in red also on front, 43 days after being posted, the letter being sent by Lt. Col. J.A. Farquarson, leader of the Expeditionary Force which captured the French Islands and St. Martin, with interesting contents stating: "...since I commencd writing this I have received order from the quarter to embark at 12 o'clock this day for the island of St. Martins there to take command of the forces and administer the civil government in the absence of its Governor, but as this cannot last long you will be so good as to address your letters for me in Guadeloupe...", very fine; less than five items are recorded exhibiting this type, this being of even more desirability as a result of the historic contents (Robson Lowe HS3, Jamet 5).The Fourth British Invasion occurred during the Napoleonic Wars, when the smaller islands, in 1808-09, and the main islands surrendered on January 27, 1810. Lt. Col. J.A. Farquharson was the leader of the expeditionary force which captured most of these territories; in 1815 he became Governor of St. Martin and Guadeloupe. These islands were given back to France and have remained French ever since 1816. (Image)

Est. $500-750

1849 cover with "Paid At Guadaloupe" crowned-circle handstamp in black to Martinique, opened for display, showing a magnificent strike of this very rare postmark, applied in the year in which this handstamp was sent to Guadeloupe, very neat "Guadaloupe" double-arc datestamp on reverse, rated on front "4d", with "St. Pierre Martinique" c.d.s. at top left, entered the French mail one day after dispatch, hinge reinforcements in lower edge of cover, only mentioned for accuracy, a choice example, ideal for the discerning collector, of this very rare postmark which is even scarcer struck in black (SG CC1). (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

French Colonies, Maury #2, 5, 1859-62 5c Green and 40c Vermilion, single and pair of latter, all with full to large margins except for a very small part touching one of the designs in the pair at base, all tied to fresh and clean November 10, 1865 cover to Philadelphia, United States, by black lozenge cancels, with black Pointe-a-Pitre c.d.s., entered the British mail to be carried via Havana with very fine "Paid At Guadaloupe" crowned circle handstamp in red, British "1/-" packet rate in red crayon and "Steamship/10" due entry handstamp for the ship fee to be paid on delivery, showing on reverse red Guadaloupe double-arc datestamp and St. Thomas transit, a very fresh and attractive cover featuring a rare and desirbale combination franking (SG CC1). (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

French Colonies, Maury #2, 5, 1859-62 5c Green and 40c Vermilion, vertical pair and horizontal strip of three, featuring a very attractive franking with the 5c being large margined, the multiples slightly into in few places, mainly good margins in other respects, all tied to cover via Panama to Lima, Peru by black lozenge cancels, alongside displaying "Guadeloupe/Basse-Terre" c.d.s., "8" décimes due marking which was crossed out in red crayon at the British post office to be charged at 1/4d, being fully prepaid for the French colonial charges, with application of red "Guadeloupe/A/Paid" c.d.s. which seems to have been crossed out and reapplied below after the payment in cash of the packet rate, British "A/Panama" c.d.s. in black, with backstamps including British Guadeloupe and St. Thomas, and Lima on July 2, an eye-catching example of these rare combination frankings additionally sent to a rare destination. (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

French Colonies, Maury #9, 1871 30c Brown, horizontal pair, margins large to just touching on two sides, paying the inter-Antillean and US rate on April 10, 1873 entire folded letter to Portland, United States, endorsed "Per Brazil & U.S. Mail Str", tied by lozenge cancel, "Guadeloupe/Pointe-à-Pitre" c.d.s., posted through the British Agency with light strike of rare "Guadeloupe/Paid" c.d.s. in red, "4" pence for the British packet rate in red crayon, with small British "Guadeloupe" c.d.s. in red on reverse, entered the U.S. with New York steamship "10" accounting c.d.s.; fine and rare. (Image)

Est. $400-500

French Colonies, Maury #20, 1872 30c Brown a very fresh horizontal pair, very slightly cut in at right, clear to enormous margins in other respects, cancelled by dotted lozenge on entire folded letter unusually sent to Martinique, showing "Guadeloupe/16 Juil 74" c.d.s., struck at the British post office with red "Guadleoupe/Paid" c.d.s., marked in red crayon with "4" pence British packet rate paid in cash alongside, previously paying equal to 40 centimes, the other 20 centimes of the franking covering the Inter-Antillean rate, with small British corresponding c.d.s. of Guadeloupe on reverse; a rare cover of excellent appearance. (Image)

Est. $500-750