1760: Entire letter from Malta to Monopoli near Naples, struck with "Mefsina" straight line provenance handstamp (Van der Linden fig. 1990C = 6 ptd.) applied on arrival in Naples in black, in addition 1766 entire from Rome to Malta, with "Roma" straight line handstamp in yellow (as Van der Linden fig. 2450B, this being the un-illustrated type) applied in Naples and docketing on side panel at left "1.8". Fine. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1767 (Dec 15): Entire letter from Malta to Grenoble, struck with fine two line MARSEILLE / DE MALTHE handstamp in black (Lenain #20), an early usage of this scarce marking. Taxed '10' sols in manuscript on obverse. A fresh and fine entire. (Image 1) (Image)

1885/90: Victoria wmk Crown CA, ½ d. green and 2 d. grey, both on two covers from Valetta to trieste, comprising 1890 illustrated cover 'The Encore Whiskey' and on registration stationery envelope. Archival fold and some toning, but an attractive usage. (Image 1) (Image)

1860/78: Range of covers/entire letters (15) with Great Britain used in Malta frankings with 1860 1 d. star and 1858 2 d. pl. 8 used to Messina, 1860 cover with 1 d. stars (3) to Messina, 1862 4 d. red on entire to Genova, 1865 4 d. vermilion frankings (3) with plates 9 and 10; 1876 2½ d. rosy-mauve entires (4) with single frankings of pl. 4, 8, 9 and 10 with one to London and another to Corfu, 1880/81 2½ d. blue frankings (6) from plates 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23 etc., condition generally very fine. A most attractive group. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image 5) (Image)

1854 (May 11): Great Britain 1841 1 d. red-brown imperforate, Alphabet II, lettered FH, margins at top and at base, used on 1854 cover from Malta to Dublin, Ireland endorsed 'via Marseilles', tied by double arc "MALTA" datestamp in black with reverse showing London (May 24) and Dublin transits in red and 'Kingstown' arrival (May 25) in black. Cover endorsed at lower left 'R.E.' - the sender being Lieutenant Richard Fitzrichard Eyre, grandson of Baron Eyre of Ireland, he was in the 44th Regiment and died of Cholera in the Crimea. An extraordinary and unique usage - no imperforates are recorded used in Malta by Stanley Gibbons - the cover was most probably accepted as a Soldier's or Sailor's Letter at the concessionary 1 penny rate. Reportedly "the earliest G.G. 'Used Abroad' cover where the Office came under the direct control of the GPO in London" - Parmenter, page 1/14. Extremely rare.rnrnProvenance: Collection H.S. Damsell, RL, London, 16 Nov 1955, lot 26, Collection H.A. Cann, Harmers, London, 15 June 1970, lot 1, Collection Louis Frank, RL, Basel, 18 Oct 1972, lot 1042. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1856 (March 21): Great Britain Embossed 6 d. violet, a cut-round example used on 1856 cover from Malta to Lady Cochrane in Gibraltar, endorsed 'via Marseilles and England', cancelled solely by double arc "MALTA" datestamp in black (March 21). The envelope trimmed at right but of great rarity. Cert. RPSL (1947) Gi = £ 4'500 off cover.rnProvenance: Collection H.S. Damsell,RL, London, 16 Nov 1955, lot 27. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1856 (Feb): Great Britain 1855 1 d. red-brown, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 14, lettered KI, a single example with misplaced perforations and imperforate at top, tied by good strike of the Malta "Wavy Lines" handstamp applied at Valletta in black to Sailor's concessionary rate cover to Chatham, Kent endorsed at top "From George Francis, Seaman / HMS Viper, Malta" and countersigned by his Commanding Officer "H.R.Harris" below; the reverse with London cds (March 6) and double arc Chatham arrival (March 7) struck in blue. Rare and fine.rnProvenance: Collection Col. J.R. Danson, RL, London, 30 June 1971, lot 1180; Collection 'De Boer', Corinphila sale 100, June 1997, lot 4737.rn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1855 (April 29): Great Britain 1855, 1 d. red stars, Die II, wmk. Small Crown, perf. 14, plate 5; the astonishing cover to Dr. Loch in Calcutta with no less than eleven examples (lettered CB-CE, MF, NB-ND, NE, NF and OF) all tied by eleven strikes of the Malta "Wavy Lines" handstamp applied in transit at Valletta in black. The reverse with double arc MALTA unclear datestamp, 'Alexandria' British Post Office double arc cds in blue (June 3) and framed "CALCUTTA / STEAMER LETTER / Bearing" (charge 8 annas) of arrival (June 30) and manuscript 'Rec'd July 8/55 Nongong'. The letter fully paid 5d. to Malta and 6d. to Alexandria. Typical creases commensurate to journey and handling with complete contents written from The Palace Hospital, Scutari, Constantinople written by Dr. F. de Chaumont to his medical colleague describing conditions in the Crimea and the various treatments being used to combat the range of diseases and in particular a wound inflicted on one patient at the Battle of Inkerman. Illustrated in Parmenter & Gordon on page 1/12. A great Postal History rarity and a unique franking.rnProvenance: RL, London, 10 June 1970, lot 1413; Collection Andrê Bollen, Köhler, Wiesbaden, 8 Feb 1983, lot 60. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1855 (April 24): Great Britain 1847 Embossed 1 s. green, a single example with large margins all round tied by the finest known strike of the Malta "Wavy Lines" handstamp applied at Valletta in black to blue envelope with Crest on reverse of the Coldstream Guards, endorsed 'via Marseilles' and mailed to Rugeley, Staffordshire with green double arc arrival cds below (April 30). Carried by British Packet at rate of 1 s. for a letter under ½ ounce. Reverse with double arc MALTA despatch cds (April 24) in black and London transit cds in red. Illustrated in colour plate (xiii) in "Malta -The Postal History & Postage Stamps 1576-1960". An iconic and truly magnificent cover of great aesthetic appeal and rarity. Unique. Cert. J. Robineau & V. Pothion.rnProvenance: Collection Grant Glassco, RL, London, 25-27 Nov 1969, lot 1179; Collection Louis Frank, RL, Basel, 18 Oct 1972, lot 1043; Collection Dubus, Druout, Paris, 6-7 Oct 1988, lot 178.rnrn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image)

1858 (June 22): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red-brown, perf. 14 used with 1856 6 d. lilac tied to 1858 cover with complete contents from Malta to London (Fanshawe correspondence) via Marseilles (paying the under ¼ ounce rate), tied by four strikes of the "M" obliterator. Reverse with single ring 'Malta' cds in red (June 26) of despatch. Minor imperfections but an attractive usage. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1858 (April 19): Great Britain 1 d. red star, perf. 14 used on 1858 Soldier's concessionary rate letter from Malta to the Military Barracks near Sydney, New South Wales, tied by "M" obliterator in black, endorsed "From No.4164, William Shipton, 28th Regiment" at top and counter-signed at base by a Colonel of the 28th, further unusually endorsed "via Southampton" diagonally across the envelope. Backstamped with single ring MALTA cds in red (April 19) and SHIP-LETTER / SYDNEY in black (June 9) in black. A fine and rare cover to a most unusual destination. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1858 (Aug 13): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red star, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 14, pl. 43 in a horizontal strip of three (RA-RC) and 1855 2 d. blue, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 14, pl. 5 in a matching horizontal strip of three (BJ-BL), used on 1858 cover from Malta to Manchester tied by six strikes of the "M" obliterator paying the 9d. rate via Marseilles for an under ¼ ounce letter. Reverse with single ring 'Malta' despatch in red (Aug 14) and Manchester arrival (Aug 20) in blue. Two file folds affect the strips but most attractive and scarce. Signed Pröschold. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1858 (Oct 23): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red perf. 14, pl. 43 nine examples used with single 1856 1 s. green on 1858 cover, strengthened and no side flaps, from Malta to Messina endorsed 'Vapore Postale', cancelled by nine strikes of the "M" obliterator in black. Carried at seven times the 3 d. rate with MALTA / PAID double arc cds in red (Oct 23) and manuscript charge of '70' grana due. One stamp with tear but a remarkable and early high franking.rnProvenance: Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2134.rn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1859 (Jan 15): Great Britain 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 7, four examples used on 1859 cover to Genova tied by three strikes of the "M" obliterator with oval framed "P-D." in red at right, handstruck PIROSCAFI / POSTAL / FRANCESI in red on obverse and reverse with single ring 'Malta' cds in red (Jan 15) and Genova arrival (Jan 21). Minor wrinkles but an attractive cover. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1859 (Jan 22): Great Britain 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 7 and 1857 4 d. bright rose, used on 1859 cover from Malta to Messina tied by two strikes of the "M" obliterator with oval "P." in red below. Reverse with 'Malta' single ring cds in red (Jan 22) and two line Messina arrival (Jan 23) in black and charged '14' grana due. Small fault to front panel but attractive. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1857 (Sept 26): Great Britain 1856 6 d. lilac, deep shade, used on 1857 cover to Naples tied by "M" obliterator with Maltese oval "P." unusually struck in black, reverse with double arc 'Malta' despatch cds (Sept 26) in black. Naples oval arrival handstamp in black and rated '31' grana to pay. A fine cover. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1858 (March 14): Great Britain 1858 2 d. blue, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 16, pl. 6, a used horizontal strip of three, minor blunted perfs. at top of third stamp (but infinitely rarer than the perf. 14), on 1858 mourning cover from Malta to Exeter endorsed 'via Southampton' tied by three strikes of the "M" obliterator with reverse showing double arc 'Malta' cds (March 14), London transit (March 26) in black and Exeter arrival (March 27) in blue. A few wrinkles but a fine and most attractive cover.rnProvenance: Ex Orme and Frank. Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2156. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1877 (Dec 15): Great Britain 1870 ½ d. pl. 11 and 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 196 in a horizontal pair, one pulled perf., used on cover from Malta to London endorsed 'via Italy' tied by two strikes of the horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex with superb octagonal framed "MALTA / MB" Mobile Box marking below. 'London / Paid' arrival cds in red at left (Dec 22) and a further London datestamp on reverse of a rare and most attractive cover. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1859 (Dec 16): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red star, perf. 14, used on Soldier's concessionary rate 1859 cover from Malta to New York, endorsed at top "From No. 1202 Pte. Henry Peters 2/15th Regt. Malta" (2nd Batallion, 15th Regiment) and correctly endorsed by Colonel commanding below; tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Dec 16). 'London / Paid' transit and thence via Liverpool (Jan 3, 1860) on Inman Line 'City of Washington' steamer to New York (Jan 21). The concessionary rate not valid to foreign countries and the letter taxed 21 cents altered to '23c.' in pencil below. Repaired tear through the cover but a most unusual usage. (Image 1) (Image)

1860 (Aug 24): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red star, 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 8 and 1856 6 d. lilac used on 1860 cover from Malta to Messina tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex ((Aug 22) with oval framaed 'P.' in black below. Reverse with Messina arrival cds (Aug 26) and charged '30' grana due in manuscript. Cleaned and stamps toned at top but an attractive triple rate franking. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1876 (Nov): Sailor's Concessionary rate cover to Manchester endorsed "From L.C. Ennis "HMS Triumph", Besika Bay" and countersigned by Commanding Officer, franked by Great Britain 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 168 tied in transit by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Nov 3). The British Fleet arrived in Besika Bay, Constantinople following riots in late May 1876 and the replacement of the Grand Vizier, the Turks then put down rebellions in Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro with many atrocities reported in the British press. HMS Triumph was the Flagship of the British Fleet in the Dardanelles. A rare and unusual cover. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1866 (Aug 22): Great Britain 1864 1 d. red 82, a horizontal pair used on cover from Malta to West Norwood, London tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex. Underpaid and struck with extraordinarily fine strike of three line instructional "PACKET LETTER NOT ORIGINATING / IN MALTA. FORWARDED / CHARGED WITH POSTAGE" in black (latest recorded date of use) and struck accordingly with straight line INSUFFICIENTLY PREPAID in black with manuscript charge '5' pence. London partial cds on obverse and red segmented arrival on reverse (Sept 3). Edge wear but a splendid and extremely rare cover.rnProvenance: Collection Grant Glassco, RL, London, 25-27 Nov 1969, lot 1197; Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2311.rn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1870 (June 14): Great Britain 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 121, 1867 3 d. rose pl. 5 and 10 d. red-brown, used on 1870 registered double rate cover from Malta to Livorno tied by bold strikes of the "A25" obliterator with manuscript Italian credit '5½' alongside. Fine circular "REGISTERED / MALTA" datestamp below (June 14) and reverse with four Italian datestamps including Livorno arrival cds (June 18). A rare and fine cover and the earliest recorded usage of the 'Registered / Malta' datestamp.rnProvenance: Collection J.B. Seymour, RL, London, 6 June 1951, lot 1022; Collection George Coates, Christie's, London, 7 Nov 1990, lot 1382; Collection Andrê Bollen, Köhler, Wiesbaden, 8 Feb 1983, lot 111. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1871 (Sept 1): Great Britain 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 155 and 1867/73 3 d. rose pl. 6 used on cover to Lahore, India tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Sept 1), readdressed on arrival to Murree with India 1 a. brown tied by 'Lahore / 1' duplex (Sept 26). Carried from Suez on the 'Khedive' with oval "SEA POST OFFICE / A" datestamp in blue on reverse. Small imperfections and flap faults but a scarce usage. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1878 (Nov 21): Great Britain 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 15 used on 1878 cover to Naples tied by "A25" barred obliterator in black with "½" in red manuscript showing the balance for UPU rate prepaid in cash, struck with latest recorded usage of double arc "MALTA / PAID" in red (Nov 21) indicating the full amount had been paid. Naples arrival cds (Nov 23) on reverse of a quite beautiful and extremely rare cover.rnCollection George Coates, Christie's, London, 7 Nov 1990, lot 1091. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)