Persia continued... Collections, Lots etc. continued... Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 10377   Picture Postcards: A mainly used accumulation of earlier cards with images of views and people with some Shah and Revolutions, some cards with additional Controle overprinted Lions including three double colour image cards; mostly good to fine with many an interesting image.(90) (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image 4) (Image 5) (Image 6) (Image 7) (Image 8) (All Images) Get Market Data for [Iran Collection] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census Estimate. CHF 500 Currently (SAN)...CHF 500.00 Closing..Dec-07, 02:00 AM France Lettres Classiques Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20000   France: 1823, Paris to Baghdad, complete folded letter to the General Consulate of France in Baghdad datelined Paris 28.8 1823, sent via Marseille, Switzerland, Austria and by an uncertain route to Aleppo; by the Euphrates to Baghdad. On front is “PORT-PAYÉ” and hexagonal marking of post office B in Paris, also red L.F. (Lettre Francaise) used on letters routed via Austria. On reverse is note of 8 Decimes paid for letter of 6-8 gr and red note of 28, probably kreuzer for the transit via Austria. A most attractive and rare French letter sent by the Euphrates route through the Syrian Desert. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 1,500 Currently (SAN)...CHF 1,500.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM Persia Postal History Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20001   Persia: 1826, complete folded letter written by the British Ambassador to Tehran while he was visiting Bushire; datelined Bushire May 1 1826 and sent to London with re-direction to Banff in Scotland, with forwarding notations, incl. on front “to the care of Miss Farquhar no. 71 Broad Street, London”. Sent by Desert Post Basrah-Aleppo-Constantinople to Europe. On front are TP Royal Arcade of London and Scottish ½ border mark; charged 2s 6d from recipient. On reverse are London 24 July 1826, Edinburgh 26 July and Banff mileage marking 573 with manuscript charge 1s 2d. A very rare, important, and well-preserved letter sent by the desert post from Basrah towards the United Kingdom; with many postmarks and written directives to study. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 1,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 1,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM India Postal History Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20002   India: 1837, Calcutta to London, complete folded letter datelined 15.4 1837, transported on the experimental Euphrates route organized by Col. Francis Rawdon Chesney. Faint strike of “India Packet Letter Paid” red circular handstamp (Giles SD3) on reverse, with oval GPO APR 15, and London arrival mark 12 July 1837, also two-line “Purifié Lazaret Marseille”. On front are manuscript directive “p Hugh Lindsay Steamer” together with framed “PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANEE” and “BRITISH FOREIGN”; two disinfection slits, marked 2s 8½d for incoming India letter. Route: Calcutta (15 April) – Bombay (28 April – Muscat (6 May) – Busadore (9 May) – Bussorah (14 May) – Damascus (5/6 June) – Beirut (7 June) – Alexandria (5 July) – Malta (28/29 June) – Marseille (5 July) – London (12 July) 1837). VERY FINE. A RARE AND IMPORTANT LETTER FROM THE THIRD CHESNEY EUPHRATES EXPERIMENTAL EXPEDITION THAT SOUGHT ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF AN OVERLAND ROUTE TO INDIA VIA THE EUPHRATES RIVER. An important forerunner of the organized India-Europe overland mails that demonstrates the experimental Euphrates route. The letter formed part of the 1837 Indian mail handled by Col. Chesney at Bussorah and carried by him overland by camel through Damascus to Beirut, before continuing through the Mediterranean packet system to Marseille and London. A similar letter, also from the Hugh Lindsey ship, sold as part of the Magnolia Collection, Siegel sale 9043, November 2025, lot 10027, 9500 USD hammer. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Get Market Data for [India Collection] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census Estimate. CHF 5,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 8,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM 20003   India: 1837, Mahableswar to London, complete folded letter datelined Mahableswar Hills April 25 1837, transported on the experimental Euphrates route organized by Col. Francis Rawdon Chesney. On reverse are two-line “Purifié Lazaret Marseille” and London arrival 12 July 1837. On front are manuscript directive “By the Hugh Linsay” together with framed “PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANEE” and “BRITISH FOREIGN”; two disinfection slits, marked 2s 8½d for incoming India letter. This letter is similar to the preceding lot that also went on the Hugh Lindsay steamer; with light folds to cover and some parts of internal paper splitting. FINE. A RARE AND IMPORTANT LETTER FROM THE THIRD CHESNEY EUPHRATES EXPERIMENTAL EXPEDITION THAT SOUGHT ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF AN OVERLAND ROUTE TO INDIA VIA THE EUPHRATES RIVER. An important forerunner of the organized India-Europe overland mails that demonstrates the experimental Euphrates route. The letter formed part of the 1837 Indian mail handled by Col. Chesney at Bussorah and carried by him overland by camel through Damascus to Beirut, before continuing through the Mediterranean packet system to Marseille and London. A similar letter, also from the Hugh Lindsey ship, sold as part of the Magnolia Collection, Siegel sale 9043, November 2025, lot 10027, 9500 USD hammer. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Get Market Data for [India Collection] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census Estimate. CHF 5,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 8,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM 20004   India: 1839, complete folded letter from Sagor, India to Scotland, via Bombay and transited from Basra via Baghdad, Damascus and Beirut to the UK. With routing directive on front “Per Overland Mail of June 3rd via Persian Gulph, Bussorah and Beyrout”. On back is boxed Sagor with manuscript dating 23 May and indication of 11 annas paid together with Edinburgh transit 13 Aug 1839. The front has red oval INDIA handstamp and framed 1/2 d Scottish tax marking; 2s 6d charge noted in black ink. The letter is incomplete but what remains concerns the beginning of the first Anglo-Afghan War, with a note that the Army of the Indus was advancing slowly with difficulty in obtaining transportation and adequate supplies. An extremely rare and important 1839 India-UK overland letter demonstrating the diversion of the earlier Basra-Aleppo route through Baghdad, Damascus, and Beirut. Originating at Sagor and dispatched through Bombay, the letter travelled by a combination of East India Company steamer (Hugh Lindsay from Bombay), Middle Eastern overland transport, Royal Navy Vessel, and Mediterranean/European packet services before reaching Scotland. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 2,600 Currently (SAN)...CHF 2,600.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM 20005   India: 1840, Bombay to London, complete folded letter, datelined Bombay 22 July 1840, sent via Basra, Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut, France to Great Britain. With routing endorsements on front “P. Cleopatra via the Per. Gulf” and “Via Marseilles”, together with oval INDIA and manuscript charge 2s 8d. for combined British and French charges applicable to the route via Marseille. On back is London arrival 8 Sep. 1840. Carried on East India Company mail steamer S.S. Cleopatra that departed Bombay 24 July 1840 and arrived in Basra 9 Aug. Then by overland mail to Alexandria 27 Aug. and by Royal Mail packet S.S. Alecto to Malta (31 Aug.), Marseille 4 Sep. and overland to London. An important and rare 1840 India-Great Britain overland mail via the Persian Gulf prior to the official British postal agency, demonstrating the diversion of the Basra-Aleppo route through Baghdad, Damascus, and Beirut. Very fine, with light ink corrosion to the address. Ex Magnolia Collection, Siegel auction 1303, lot 264 (5750 USD hammer). (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Get Market Data for [India Collection] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census Estimate. CHF 2,600 Currently (SAN)...CHF 2,600.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM Iraq Iraq Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20006   Iraq: 1849, Baghdad to Aleppo. Letter datelined Baghdad 13 Feb. 1849 sent to the Sardinian Vice Consul in Aleppo. Complete letter with full preserved correspondence, sent by the Caliphate postal network that conveyed mail privately by courier in large part along the Euphrates route. A very rare and attractive letter from before the establishment of an organised postal system through the great desert of Arabia. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 400 Currently (SAN)...CHF 400.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM India 1854 Lithographs Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20007   India: 1855, Calcutta to Tehran, complete lettersheet bearing four cut-to-shape 1854 4 anna bicoloured lithographs (second print. Head die II, frame die I) each struck by diamond of dots obliterator and left stamp tied by red manuscript rate mark; written directive “Pr Str. Bentinck Via Bombay, Alexandria, Beyrout & Bagdad”. Letter routed via France, Beirut, Damascus, and Baghdad to Tehran. On reverse is Calcutta red circular 8 Feb. 1855 together with company cachet. On front is rectangular INDIA PAID alongside red Marseille transit 19.3 1855. Route: Calcutta-Galle-Aden-Suez-Alexandria-Malta-Marseille and forwarded by the diplomatic/consular network via Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad to Tehran. A remarkable 1855 India-Persia letter showing the absence of a direct postal connection between the two countries and with a very clear routing instruction for the overland mail. Franked to pre-pay the 1 rupee packet rate to Marseille. Wrapper reinforced internally, filing fold through second stamp and ink stain on third stamp. With BPA certificate (2023). Ex Magnolia Collection, Siegel auction 1301, lot 6094. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Get Market Data for [India Collection] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census Estimate. CHF 10,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 10,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM Italy Italy Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20008   Italy: 1857, Verona to Baghdad, envelope sent from Theodor Lattas, First Lieutenant in Erzherzog. Leopold 53 infantry regiment in Verona to the Ottoman Field Marshal and Governor Omar Pasha in Baghdad. Struck in transit by superb blue oval AGENZIA DEL LLOYD AUSTRIACO/ALEPPO and manuscript forwarder notation beside of agent N. Nau who would have been responsible for the transport to Baghdad. Very fine and rare private forwarding mail to Baghdad. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 1,500 Currently (SAN)...CHF 1,500.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM Mauritius 1859 Lapirot Issue Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20009   Mauritius: 1859, Port Louis, Mauritius to Bushire, complete folded letter bearing two Lapirot 2d blue pos. 6, 5 just touched in places in combination with 1859-61 Britannia 1s vermilion with clear to wide margins, all tied by barred oval obliterator. Letter with endorsement “Via Egypt & Beyrout” and red accountancy marking “4” for credit due to British Post. On reverse is GPO/JU30/MAURITIUS together with British post office Alexandria AU 1 59. Letter sent via Suez-Alexandria to Beirut and by the desert route towards Bushire (as there was no regular connections by British ship from Mauritius to the Persian Gulf). Letter with some edge imperfections, exhibiting a unique franking on the only recorded mail to this destination. With certificate Brandon (2007). Ex Vikram Chand and "Tatiana" (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 10,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 10,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM Iraq Iraq Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20010   Iraq: 1860, Bushire Roads to London, complete folded letter datelined H.M.S. Semiramis, Bushire Roads, Sept. 10th 1860. Letter from a seaman on the Semiramis anchored in the Roadstead of Bushire in the Persian Gulf, with manuscript directive on front “Via Bagdad, Beyrout & Marseilles & Per French Steamer”, “Postage cannot be prepaid”. An extremely rare example of manuscript routing on letter sent by the Euphrates from Basrah to Baghdad, and then onward to Damascus and Beirut. There were no postal markings used for this route. Charge of 9d to be collected from recipient noted on the front. Most rare and attractive. This letter carries an interesting not that gives an indication of why this routing was not often used: “ I am afraid this letter will not reach as it will be sent upo the Euphrates as far as Bagdad in a native boat, which the Arabs have a bad habit of plundering”. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 1,200 Currently (SAN)...CHF 1,200.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM 20011   Iraq: 1866, Baghdad to Vienna, very attractive folded letter datelined Bagdad 7.8 bearing Austria 1864 2kr yellow and 3kr green, centrally struck by oval TRIEST 16/9 * II. Letter conveyed by private courier from Baghdad to Beirut and onward to Triest where it was forwarded by Cloetta & Schwarz with oval forwarding cachet on back together with Vienna arrival 17.IX and delivery office Wieden in Wien 18.9 1866. A most attractive letter sent by private courier from Bagdhad via Damaskus, Beirut, and Triest where the letter was franked and forwarded by a local agent. Restored address panel with some paper splitting stemming from ink corrosion. With certificate Ferchenbauer (2006) noting “Es handelt sich um ein wirkungsvolles rel. PRACHTSTUCK! dieses extrem seltenen Beleges.” Ex Pearson. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 1,500 Currently (SAN)...CHF 1,500.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM German States Saxony Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20012   Saxony: 1867, Freiberg to Baghdad, very attractive embossed envelope bearing 1863 Sachsen 1 Ngr magenta (Mi 16a) and 3 Ngr brown (Mi 18a) x 3, cancelled by Freiberg Bahnh. 4.8 1867. Letter of second weight sent via Dresden, Triest, and by Austrian Lloyd to Beirut, then by British courier across the desert to Baghdad; with two written directives “Franco via Beyrouth” and “par le courier anglais du désert”. Double weight cover that pays 6 Ngr for German-Austrian postal union, and 4 Ngr for foreign share (Austrian Lloyd). An important, rare, and visually appealing exhibition item with a repaired tear in right side of envelope. With certificate Sismondo (1999). Ex Erivan Haub, sold with Köhler, Erivan Sammlung 7, March 2022, lot 240 (€5000 hammer). (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 3,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 3,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM 20013   Saxony: 1867, Zwickau to Baghdad, envelope bearing single 5 Ngr (Mi 19b) cancelled by circular Zwickau Bahnh. 6.VII. Letter of first weight class with written directive “via Triest-Beyrouth”, and sent from Triest to Constantinople by Austrian Lloyd, then by British courier via Beirut by the desert route to Baghdad. On reverse is Triest transit 7.7 and Constantinopel 15.7. Rate of 5 Ngr includes 3 Ngr for German-Austrian union and 2 Ngr for the Austrian Lloyd. Letter with a few bends because of content, and stamp with light browning to lower perforations. A very rare and attractive letter from the Oehlschlägel correspondence to Baghdad; the earliest known letter from Sachsen to Baghdad. Ex Arnim Knapp. Köhler 342, Sep. 2010, lot 192, €4000 hammer. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 3,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 3,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM 20014   Saxony: 1867 Frauenstein to Baghdad, envelope franked by single 5 Ngr (Mi 19) cancelled by numeral 116 in cross-hatched ring and additionally tied by octagonal Frauenstein 4.IX 67 X. Letter of first weight with written directive “franco via Triest”, sent by Austrian Lloyd from Triest to Constantinople and by British courier by desert route to Baghdad. On reverse are Bodenbach and Dresden transits, alongside Triest 7.9. Minimal faults to the perforation at top; an extremely attractive letter from the Oehlschläger correspondence fully prepaid to Baghdad. Ex Collection Knapp, Köhler, Mar. 2011, lot 153, estimate €3000. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Get Market Data for [Germany (States) Collection] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census Estimate. CHF 3,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 3,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM 20015   Saxony: 1867 Freiberg to Baghdad, beautiful embossed envelope carrying 5 Ngr in the rare brown-lilac shade (Mi 19d) tied by circular Freiberg 29.II. Prepaid letter of the first weight step with endorsements “Via Beyrouth” and “Par le courier anglais du désert”. Routed by Austrian Lloyd from Triest, Constantinople to Beirut, and by British courier along the desert route to Baghdad. On reverse are transits of Bodenbach, Dresden, and Triest 1.12. An extremely decorative envelope from the Oehlenschlägen correspondence fully prepaid to include the Austrian Lloyd conveyance by sea to Beirut. With certificate Rismondo (1997). Ex Erivan Haub, 10, Köhler, Sep. 2023, lot 275, €15.000 hammer. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 8,000 Currently (SAN)...CHF 8,000.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM Syria Syria French Levant Post Offices Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20016   Iraq: 1867, Baghdad to Zurich, complete folded lettersheet franked by France 1862-70 40c and 80c struck by numeral 5082 in diamond of dots of the French post office in Levant with circular Beyrouth/Syrie 22 Nov. 1867 on front together with boxed PD, indication prepaid to destination, and red rectangular Paquebots de la Mediterranée; also blue cachet of sender Jules Weber & Co. Bagdad. On reverse are transits of Marseille 3.12 and Dijon Mail Transfer Office 1307, Basel and Zurich arrival 4.12 1867. Postage rate of 120 centimes for second weight. Very fine, with a horizontal fold clear of the stamp. A very rare letter sent westward by the desert route (British camel route). Only five letters are recorded from Baghdad via Beirut to Europe during this early period. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 1,800 Currently (SAN)...CHF 1,800.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM 20017   Iraq: 1867, Baghdad to Zurich, complete folded lettersheet franked by France 1862-70 40c and 80c struck by numeral 5082 in diamond of dots of the French post office in Levant with circular Beyrouth/Syrie 12 Oct. 1867 on front together with boxed PD, indication prepaid to destination, and red rectangular Paquebots de la Mediterranée; also blue cachet of sender Jules Weber & Co. Bagdad. On reverse are transits of Marseille a Lyon 24.10 and Zurich arrival. Postage rate of 120 centimes for second weight. Very rare letter sent westward by the desert route (British camel route). The 40c with some slightly damaged perforations and letter front with some staining. Very rare with only five letters recorded from Baghdad via Beirut to Europe during this early period. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 1,500 Currently (SAN)...CHF 1,500.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM France Empire Lauré 1863-1870 Lot Symbol Catalog No. Descrip Opening 20018   France: 1868, Paris to Baghdad, small envelope franked by France 1867 Napoleon III 40c orange, tied by mute star of dots with circular Paris 5 Oct. 1868 on envelope. Letter to Stephen Lynch, British consul in Baghdad with written directive “Via Marseille, Alexandria & Beyrouth” and routed by the Beirut/Damascus to Baghdad overland postal route. The earliest of the four known letters from France to Iraq sent by the desert overland route. Stamp with a crease but on a very clean and attractive envelope. (Image 1) (Image 2) (All Images) Estimate. CHF 1,500 Currently (SAN)...CHF 1,500.00 Closing..Dec-07, 05:00 AM Previous Page, Next Page or Return to Table of Contents

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