French Period, folded letter from Castries to France, datelined January 27 1788, carried via Martinique where it was struck by "La Martinique" straight-line handstamp, being the earliest marking used in this French territory, before having been put on board the "Dauphiné" of the "Paquebots du Roi", entering Marseilles with "Colon. Franc./Par Marseille" two-line (Salles 24) and red "Colonies" straight-line handstamps, both denoting the colonial origin, rated on receipt "30" centimes, shoeing, on reverse, the special prepaid 20 sols rate in red ink, which was compulsory, very attractive and extremely rare combination of postmarks in this period of very scarce mail. St. Lucia, located only seven miles apart from the French Martinique, was a French possession from the early 18th century. It was captured by the British on several occasions: shortly in 1761, from 1778 to 1788, and from 1796 to 1802. The British definitely conquered the Island on July 12, 1803, becoming the definitive rulers after the Treaty of Paris in 1814. (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

French Period, folded letter from Morne Fortuné to Haiti, written by a French officer on garrison duty and addressed to a fellow officer in Cap Français, datelined March 24 1890, marked "affranchi" in French confirming payment made on dispatch, accompanied by an indistinct rate number below, with no postal markings following the norm -no French postal handstamps are recorded in this period-, very fine and rare; there had been an abortive rebellion in Saint Domingue -Haiti- in 1789, with this having interesting contents including views and fears, as both the writer and recipient would have been doubly hated by the masses as they were officers of the military. (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

French Period, folded cover from Carénage to Bordeaux, datelined January 4th 1803, delivered on "23 Germ. (inal) An 11", April 10th 1803, over three months after having been dispatched, due to the difficulties caused by the war,charged "2" décimes due, entering Bordeaux and therefore receiving a clean strike of the "Poste/Maritime/Bordeaux" postmark in three lines, very fine and rare mail during the last and short lived renewed French sovereignty, which lasted just months. ex-Berkinshaw-Smith.In May 1796 the British took the control of St. Lucia until the Treaty of Amiens was signed in 1802, which temporarily ended hostilities between the French Republic and Great Britain during the French Revolutionary Wars. The postal service under French control was restored by November 4th 1802; in this period the capital was renamed Carénage by Napoleon. When War broke out again, the British retook the Island soon after landing there on June 21st 1803. (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Great Britain S.G. #Z3, 1858-60 4d Rose, delicate shade, centered to lower right, with very fine strike of "A11" barred oval, very fine; S.G. £475. (Image)

Est. $200-300

Great Britain S.G. #Z4, 1858-60 6d Lilac, two examples with good strikes of the corresponding "A11" cancellation, one with irregular perforations at base, fine-very fine; S.G. £550. (Image)

Est. $200-300

St. Lucia Steam Conveyance Co. assembly comprising over 150 stamps, including three 1d, 3d and 6d complete sheets, singles, multiples and part sheet and, in addition, 1810 incoming letter from London to Souffrière rated at 2s, very fine.

Est. $300-400