366. Auktion März 2018

IONIAN ISLANDS: 1859, Queen Victoria Issue, black proof of the final design on paper without watermark. Rich color, margins all around, unused no gum as always. Pfenninger backstamp. Seldom seen.

OCCUPATION OF CRETE: 1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, perforated 28, on thin meshed paper, mint with gum, signed, very fine and very scarce as unused.

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, sheet selvage single on meshed paper, unused, very fine.

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, two copies, one pale shade with sheet selvage on thin laid paper, and a deep violet single on thin meshed paper, both unused and backstamped. 

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, with partial double impression on the top portion of the stamp, canceled. Unusual and Very Fine.

CRETE: 1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, cancelled block of four on thin inferior quality paper, backstamped and signed, very fine and scarce. 

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, canceled horizontal strip of four on thin meshed paper, with gum, very fine and scarce. 

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, horizontal strip of five, crease in the margin between the second and third stamp, last stamp with abrasion/thin due to low quality paper, Austrian "CANDIA" cds, scarce. 

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, three cancelled copies perforated 28, two with violet Union Jacks, one from Temenos, the other with Austrian "CANDIA" cds.  

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, three copies perforated 28, all tied to fragment by violet "TEMENOS" Union Jack, one additionally tied by manuscript Arhanais and date in black ink.

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, three copies: two with "ARHANAIS" straightline, one on fragment, the other with additional manuscript date; a single on fragment tied by Austrian "CANDIA" cds.

1898, 20pa Handstamp Issue, two copies, both with "IRAKLEION" straightline cancel, one on fragment.

1898, Litho Issues, variety lot with the 10pa in 3 horizontal imperf between pairs tied on philatelic covers by "IRAKLEION" straightline; an imperf block of four that is unused no gum, with vertical crease affecting left vertical pair and backstamped; a canceled 10 pa brown horizontal pair, imperf between, and a canceled 20pa red imperf at right. 

1898/99, Stock of mint and used, including British 20pa Handstamp mint horizontal pair, two pairs and seven singles - all canceled, twoon piece - six covers with lithographic stamps including an interesting 20pa green on cover to Athens with Greek strip of three 10L postage dues and a cover with a vertical strip of four 10pa brown. Numerous mint and used stamps, some in multiples, completely unpicked, spot checks showed both genuine and fakes, some of the British with faults due to the paper used, overall good quality and excellent for study. 

1898/99, Collection of over 100 British, French, and Austrian postmarks, including all British straightline cancels in black, violet blue or violet, with the exception of "MOCHOS"; also, French postmarks including "HIERAPETRA" and "SAN NICOLO", a number showing both British and French postmarks together as well as a couple with Austrian "CANDIA" and British "IRAKLION".  Included is a small cover with "AG. MYRON," and a couple of British related but with Greek stamps and cancels. Most likely all philatelic. A set of forgeries and some singles with a forged "IRAKLION" straightline used as reference. Most are mounted on pages, or stock cards. Overall quality is fine, there might be some forgeries

Archanes 1898: 20pa provisional stamp tied on soldier's philatelic envelope with straightline "ARCHANES" in blue and manuscript date 24/6/12/98 (old & new Style), addressed to "Canea Bastion, Kandia". The Austrian Levant P.O. of Candia was in charge of the British soldiers' mail during the early period, with cds "CANDIA Oesterreichische Post 7.12.98" and backstamped "14.12.98". Provenance Dr. M.R. Friend, Peter Holcombe's signature next to the stamp. Some toning spots but impressive item Provenance: Dr. Maurice R. Friend (1982)

Archanes 1899: Philatelic cover bearing a pair of 10pa brown and three strikes of the genuine "ARCHANES" straightline in violet, addressed to a British military in "CANDIA 10.4.99" Austrian cds.

Candia 1906/09: Three military items, 1. Envelope franked with 10L Cretan, tied with blue boxed "Camp Post Office CANDIA" together with "IRAKLEION 10.June.06" sent to London, 2. Postcard with the same boxed marking in oily black, sent to South Africa as printed matter and franked with 2L, dated 8/21.2.08 (old & new Style), the cover indicates that the mail was franked by the sender, and 3. Postcard with violet oval handstamp "Army Service Corps, KANDIA Crete" dated 24.6.1909, addressed to England, very interesting ensemble

Chersonissos 1899: Philatelic cover bearing the 20pa rose, tied with genuine "CHERSONISSOS" straightline in blue and manuscript date 4/4/99, addressed to an official in "CANDIA 17.4.99" Austrian cds. The rarest pmk of the so-called British Post of Crete

Hierapetra 1899: Philatelic cover bearing a 20pa green tied with genuine French "HIERAPETRA 18.Janv.99" cds, addressed to "CANDIA 23.1.99" Austrian cds, via "SAN-NICOLO 19.Janv.99" cds. Usually found on stamps but very rare on covers, very desirable

Candia 1899: Envelope of the Eastern Telegraph Company Ltd philatelically used, with genuine 20pa provisional stamp affixed, canceled by "IRAKLEION" straightline, with French "SITIA CRETE 28.Fevr.99" used as arrival. Peter Holcombe's signature next to the stamp

Candia 1899: Philatelic cover bearing the genuine 20pa provisional stamp as well as the other 4 stamps issued later (2x10pa +2x20pa), tied with "IRAKLEION" straightline, addressed to "CHERSONISSOS" (straightline in blackish blue, used as arrival pmk). Peter Holcombe's opinion (1993) and signature next to the stamp

Candia 1899: Philatelic cover bearing the genuine 20pa provisional stamp as well as the other 4 stamps issued later (2x10pa +2x20pa), tied with "IRAKLEION" straightline, addressed to "CHERSONISSOS" (straightline in blackish blue, used as arrival pmk). Peter Ulrich Schmitt certificate (2001)

Moires 1898: Philatelic cover bearing a 20pa green tied with a violet "MOIRES" straightline and manuscript date 10.12.98, addressed to "CANDIA 12.12.98" Austrian cds. One of the scarcest postmarks of the so-called British Post of Crete. Opinion of the Royal Philatelic Society of London (1976)

Monofatsi 1898: 1 P.T. Union Jack dated 9.12.98, together with the handstamp "International Occupation, Governor MONOFATSI", both in blue and signed by the Governor, philatelic envelope franked with 1pi/10kr Austrian Levant upon transit from "CANDIA Oesterreichische Post 12.12.98", sent to "SMYRNA Oesterreichische Post". The Austrian Levant P.O. of Candia was in charge of the British soldiers mail during the early period. Part missing from the backside, but very desirable Provenance: Dr. Maurice R. Friend (1982)

Monofatsi 1898: 1 P.T. Union Jack dated 9.12.98, together with the handstamp "International Occupation, Governor MONOFATSI", both in blue and signed by the Governor, on probably philatelic envelope franked with 1pi/10kr Austrian Levant upon transit from "CANDIA Oesterreichische Post 12.12.98", sent to "LONDON S.W. De.21.98" and redirected. The Austrian Levant P.O. of Candia was in charge of the British soldiers mail during the early period. Very interesting handwritten enclosure note with Governor's signature "Kharakas 9.12.98, Only 49 (Blue 1 T.P.) have been issued, I have 20 certified to Sec. G.P.O.". Roughly opened, without affecting the stamp and handstamps, a must for the British Sector philatelists

Monofatsi 1898: 2½ P.T. Union Jack dated 9.12.98, together with the handstamp "International Occupation, Governor MONOFATSI", both in violet and signed by the Governor, on probably philatelic envelope franked with 1pi/10kr Austrian Levant upon transit from "CANDIA Oesterreichische Post 12.12.98", sent to "LONDON W. De.21.98". The Austrian Levant P.O. of Candia was in charge of the British soldiers mail during the early period. Toning spots, scarce Provenance: Dr. Maurice R. Friend (1982)

Pediada: Free of charge soldier's cover (handwritten O.H.M.S.) marked with gray-blue "International Occupation, Governor PEDIADA", to the 5th Fusiliers in Candia

Sitia 1899: Philatelic cover bearing a 20pa green tied with genuine French "SITIA 13.Janv.99" cds, addressed to "CANDIA 18.1.99" Austrian cds, with manuscript "par Castelli Pediada". Shown in Feenstra's book (p. 97). Usually found on stamps but very rare on covers

Temenos 1898: 20pa provisional stamp perforated "28", tied on soldier's philatelic cover with Union Jack "TEMENOS", addressed to Candia. The meaning of this "28" perforation has never been made clear. Front only, toning spots and vertical folding

Temenos 1898: Strip of 6x20pa provisional stamp perforated "28", tied on philatelic soldier's cover with 6 strikes of Union Jack "TEMENOS", addressed to the Rifle Brigade in Candia. The meaning of this "28" perforation has never been made clear. Ink stain and creases. A similar cover is shown in Feenstra's book (p.60) Provenance: Dr. Maurice R. Friend (1982)

SALONICA:  1902/14: Group of two postal cards (1908, 1914) overprinted "Levant", two picture postcards (1903, 1904) and one registered cover (1902 -with "2" inverted) franked with 2pi/5d, all canceled with "British Post Office SALONICA", clean

MEF: 1945/47, Collection mainly mounted on exhibition sheets, with 32 covers (either properly posted or philatelic) and some official documents concerning the Postal Service, including 4 pages with the well known strikes of the postmarks and markings "found in the basement", interesting for study

CYPRUS: 1895: 2pi registered envelope stationery uprated with ½pi +pair of 30pa Victoria 1882-83 (in total 4pi), tied with "KYRENIA CYPRUS Oc.14.95" cds, sent to Asnieres France, scarce & very clean