I.F.S. LAS BELA: 1897 India ½a postal stationery envelope (manuscript all over front) with on reverse 1897 ½a black on white paper, tied by Las Bela CDS of 15 AU 97 with another strike alongside, also slightly unclear Karachi arrival. Stamp faintly creased. No Imperial markings; a rare combination cover. SG 1; Scott 1 (Image)

I.F.S. LAS BELA: 1897-8 ½a black, apparently on white paper. Unused corner block of four without gum, upper right stamp with R3/2 BFLA variety. Possibly treated and offered 'as is'. SG 1, var; Scott 1, var (Image)

I.F.S. LAS BELA: 1898-1900 ½a black on greenish grey paper, seven examples (block of four with part margin at right, horizontal pair and lower right corner single), tied to reverse of registered native cover by four fair to fine strikes of LAS BELA CDS dated 9 FEB (without year, as usual). Cover creases (one affecting upper pair of block), otherwise much above average. A fine and rare multiple franking. SG 3; Scott 2 (Image)

I.F.S. LAS BELA: 1899 ½a black on greenish grey paper corner block of four, upper right stamp with R3/2 BFLA, o.g. The variety stamp with a fault at top. SG 3, a, £564; Scott 2, var (Image)

I.F.S. LAS BELA: 1901-4 three covers with cancels indistinct, but likely Karachi. SG 6 (also tied by manuscript cross), 11 centrally cancelled and 12c. Some creasing and ageing. Scott 2, 5, 6 (Image)

I.F.S. LAS BELA: 1901-3 ½a black on pale grey and 1904 ½a black on pale green, perf 12½, each tied to separate cover by Karachi CDS. Minor creasing and ageing. SG 6, 12c; Scott 2, 6 Karachi was close to, but not in, Las Bela. These covers bear no Imperial postage, or Las Bela cancellation. It seems that there was an office of the Las Bela state post in Karachi, with perhaps a private courier service between the state and Karachi to bypass the Imperial system XXX (Image)

I.F.S. LAS BELA: 1901-02 1a black on orange paper, complete sheet of sixteen (4 x 4), part o.g. (backing adhesion). Some selvedge faults and minor separation, otherwise fine. A rare and striking sheet. SG 8; Scott 4 (Image)