377th Auction

BELGIUM-GREECE, 1864, entire letter from Anvers to Athens, franked with 3 copies 1863/65, 40 centimes carmine, tied by clear numeral "12". All stamps have a heavily shifted horizontal perforation and therefore cut by scissors at top and bottom. Manuscript notations "1.08" (francs) in red for the Prussian share and "f5" (silbergroschen) in blue for the postage beyond Trieste. On reverse transit mark of Trieste (15.6.) and Athens arrival mark (10.6. Julian calendar). The upper right stamps slightly affected by a horizontal cover crease, otherwise fine and fresh. This is the only recorded Belgian letter via Trieste to Greece (the usual and cheaper route being the one via Marseille). A marvellous item.

BELGIUM-TURKEY, 1855, Unpaid lettersheet from "ANVERS 3 JUIN 1855" to Smyrne, endorsed "Via Trieste" with adjacent "B.2 E.R.", taxed in manuscript with "15" kreuzer (Anvers-Trieste) and "12" kreuzer (Trieste-Smyrne)

BELGIUM-PHILIPPINES, 1871, Entire letter from Anvers via Trieste to Manila, prepaid till Hongkong with 1865/67, 1 franc violet and 1869, 10 centimes green, tied by numeral "12" with adjacent "ANVERS 16 MAI 71"; on reverse transit marks of Trieste and Hongkong and arrival mark (July 4). The 110 centimes rate was effective since September 1st, 1868 and consisted of 20 centimes Belgian and GPU postage and 90 centimes (= 7 groschen) postage beyond Trieste (2 groschen sea postage till Alexandria and 5 groschen British share from Alexandria to Hongkong). The postage beyond Hongkong was charged to the recipient, marked by handstamp "2" reales. The 10 centimes with small corner fault at lower left, otherwise fine and fresh. A very rare letter to the Far East; only one further letter from Belgium via Trieste to the Philippines has been recorded.

DENMARK-TURKISH EMPIRE (HOLY LAND), 1862 (ca.), Double rate cover from Copenhagen to the Danish writer and theologist Christian Richardt c/o the Prussian Consul at Jerusalem. It was originally endorsed "Via Marseille", changed into "Via Trieste" (most likely because letters via France could be prepaid only as fas as Jaffa whereas letters via Trieste could be prepaid all the way to Jerusalem), franked with 1854/58, 4 horizontal pairs 16 skilling violet and singles 2 skilling blue and 4 skilling brown, all tied by numeral "1" with adjacent "KJØBENHAVN 1/3". The cover is correctly franked with 134 skilling for the originally intended route via Marseille; the amount for the German Postal Union noted as "fr 18 Sgr." as well as "12" silbergroschen for the route beyond Trieste. A most remarkable cover of classic Danish philately and one of the highest recorded frankings of the square issues. Certificate Nielsen (2003) Provenance: 'Cihangir' (Corinphila 2000), Peer Lorentzen (Hoiland 2004)

DENMARK-DUTCH INDIES, 1851, Entire double rate letter from "KJØBENHAVN 16 6 1851" to Battavia with transit marks of Hamburg, German railway, Trieste and the Austrian and British PO at Alexandria on front and reverse. The letter was prepaid till Singapore with "237" Rigsbankskilling; at Alexandria marked with "2/-" for the conveyance to Singapore. In Battavia 120 duiten were charged to the recipient, noted on reverse. A rare and early letter from Denmark via Trieste to the Dutch Indies, supposed to be unique.

GREAT BRITAIN-IONIAN ISLANDS, 1856, Lettersheet with part of contents from "PRESCOT DE 30 1856" to Cephalonia, franked with embossed issued 1 shilling green in vertical pair and line engraved 1 penny red-brown on bluish, tied by numeral "626" and partly by red "AUS ENGLAND PER AACHEN FRANCO". In Germany marked with "3¼" in blue ink and "3" silbergroschen in red crayon, indicating that the letter fell into first German and second British weight class. A fine letter with scarce destination. Certificate Brandon (1987) (SG 54, 29)

GREECE-NORWAY, 1867, Entire letter from Piräus via Trieste to Sarpsborg, fully franked with 1862/68, large Hermes Head 10 lepta orange and 2 full margined copies 80 lepta rose, tied by dotted "2" with adjacent cds. and Greeek "P.E.D." (similar to "P.D."). On reverse rated in red crayon "38/15/10" (10 neukreuzer Greek inland postage, 15 neukreuzer sea postage to Trieste and 38 neukreuzer postage beyond Trieste); on front German "f 4 II/4" (silbergroschen postage beyond Hamburg). One 80 lepta affected by light vertical cover crease, otherwise fine. A rare letter, supposed to be the only franked letter from Greece to Norway before UPU. Provenance: Svein Arne Hansen (Moldenhauer-auctions, 2007)

HUNGARY-TURKISH EMPIRE (ALBANIA), 1869, Lettersheet from Pest via Trieste, Antivari and Scutari to Prizren, franked for the distance to Antivari with 3 copies 1867, 5 kreuzer rose, tied by cds. "PEST DÉLELÖTT 3/10 69". In Antivari franked for the remaining way with Turkey 1869, 20 paras green (2) with blue all Arabic double circle, sent to forwarding agent And. Muhsani at Scutari, who forwarded the letter to it's final destination; frontside blue "SCUTARI D'ALBANIE 12/10". The entire overall somewhat toned, still fine and scarce. Provenance: Dr. Anton & Elisabeth Jerger (Öphila 2004)

PAPAL STATES-GREECE, 1856, Entire letter from Ancona to Syros, entirely prepaid with 1852, 6 bajocchi on grey and 2 copies 7 bajocchi on blue, tied by grid cancel with adjacent "ANCONA 9 GEN. 56" and greenish blue oval "AGENZIA DEL LLOYD AUSTRIACO Ancona"; on reverse arrival mark of January 5 (Julian calendar). A fine entire

SARDINIA-INDIA, 1855, Part-paid entire letter from Genova via Trieste and Alexandria to Calcutta, franked with 1854, 40 centesimi in horizontal pair, tiny touched at upper right, otherwise good to large margins, and 20 centesimi dark blue with good to large margins including 2 mm sheet margin at top, all neatly cancelled by cds. "GENOVA 7 LUG. 55". On reverse transit marks of Trieste (10.7.) and Alexandria (17.7.), also boxed "CALCUTTA STEAM LETTER 1855 Aug. 17 Bearing" with manuscript "8" (annas) to be paid by the recipient. A very fine and attractive letter with extremely rare destination for the Italian States. Several signatures and certificates Enzo Diena (1980) and Bottacchi (1996) (Sassone 9b, 8c)

ITALY (SARDENIA)-TURKISH EMPIRE (LEBANON), 1862, Small cover from "MILANO 9 APR. 62" to Beirut, franked with 1861, 20 centesimi celeste with full to large margins; adjacent arrival mark of the Austrian post office "BEYRUT 23 APR.". The cover was only prepaid to the Italian/Austrian border, for the remaining way taxed with "15" new kreuzer Austrian postage and "20" (in manuscript) new kreuzer sea postage from Trieste to Beirut. A fine and scarce cover. Certificate Bottacchi (1995)

NORWAY-TURKISH EMPIRE, 1857, Lettersheet from Farsund to the Swedish-Norwegian Consul at Constantinople, correctly franked for a single rate letter via Marseille with 1856/57, 2 skilling orange and 4 copies 8 skilling carmine, tied by numeral "63". For some reason the letter was instead transported via Hamburg (5.10.) and Trieste (9.10.) with Constantinope arrival mark of 16.10. Although the transportation via Trieste was 2 skilling more expensive, marked "7¼" (silbergroschen) in red for the total postage beyond the Danish-German border and "f 4¼" (silbergroschen) in blue for the paid postage beyond Trieste. One 8 skilling with marginal tear, the 2 copies at right affected by some creasing where affixed at resp. over the edge of the cover. A still fine and attractive entire; just 2 further Norwegian letters via Trieste to Constantinople have been recorded. Provenance: Bernt Fossum (Moldenhauer-auction, 2004)

ROMANIA-GREECE, 1865, Unpaid lettersheet from "GALATZ 22/12" to Corfu with transit marks of Vienna and Trieste on reverse. The letter taxed with "45" new kreuzer plus Greek inland postage of 20 lepta, so charged with a total of "155" lepta in red crayon and franked with 2nd Athens printing 5 lepta green, 10 lepta orange, 20 lepta blue, 40 lepta mauve and 80 lepta carmine (mostly with visible full margins), tied by clear cds. "KERKYRA 20 DECE. 65" (Julian calendar). The cover was desinfected on the way, showing 2 chisel slits. The 5 lepta affected by vertical cover crease, but of only minor importance. A highly attractive and rare letter with a 5 colour franking. Signed Heimbüchler BPP Provenance: Fritz Heimbüchler (171. Corinphila-auction, 2011)

ROMANIA (DDSG)-GREECE, 1869, Lettersheet from Oltenitza to Syros, franked on reverse with DDSG 10 kreuzer green, type I, tied by blue oval "AGENTIE DDSG OLTENITZA" for the transport to Giurgevo with frontside cds. of 5.3. here taxed in blue with "5/30" (5 kreuzer for an unpaid letter till the Hungarian border, 10 kreuzer Austrian postage, 8 kreuzer sea post postage for the Austrian Lloyd and 7 kreuzer Greek share), noted in Greece with "90" lepta in red crayon and franked with 1862/68, 80 lepta carmine and 1868, 10 lepta orange (both with full margins), tied by cds. "SYROS 6 MAR 69" (Julian calendar). The DDSG stamp had been torn when the letter was opened and has been re-joined, otherwise very fine. One of the most important letters of DDSG, the only recorded combination of DDSG and Greek stamps. Signed Tseriotis, certificate Puschmann (2003)

RUSSIA/PRUSSIA-DUTCH INDIES, 1865, Cover with Bialystok return address, posted at the border city of Eydtkuhnen and sent via Trieste and Singapore to Muntok on the island of Bangka, prepaid with 5 copies 1861, 3 silbergroschen brown and on reverse 1 silbergroschen rose and 6 pfennige orange (the later ones cancelled by pen crosses), paying 3 silbergroschen internal postage of the German Postal Union and 13½ silbergroschen foreign postage until Singapore. At Alexandria franked for the British postage beyond Alexandria with horizontal strip of 3 and single 3 d. rose, tied by "B01"; in the Dutch Indies taxed with "25" cents for the conveyance beyond Singapore. The letter was re-directed and  finally returned due to the death of the recipient ("overleden/dead"). On reverse several transit marks and Trieste tax mark "15/52". 4 Stamps of the franking with mostly unobtrusive faults, the envelope small part at top missing, still fine and attractive, especially for this enormous journey. A spectacular and very interesting letter; one of the few recorded with such Alexandria-franking of small values. Certificate Brettl BPP (2001) Provenance: Collection 'Pour le Merit' (132. Corinphila-auction, 2001) 1865, Briefkuvert mit gedruckter Absenderangabe aus Bialystok, Russland, aufgegeben im Grenzort Eydtkuhnen, frankiert mit 1861, Wappen 3 Silbergroschen ockerbraun (5), 1 Silbergroschen rosa und 6 Pfennige orange (letztere rückseitig geklebt mit Blaustiftentwertung) als portogerechte Frankatur nach Muntok auf der Insel Bangka in Niederländisch Indien, transportiert über Triest, Alexandria und Singapur. In Alexandria frankiert mit 3er-Streifen und Einzelmarke GB 3 Pence rosa, entwertet durch "B01". Das Porto setzt sich zusammen aus 3 Silbergroschen Postvereinsporto und 13½ Silbergroschen Weiterfranko; in Niederländisch Indien wurden weitere "25" Cents für den Transport ab Singapur taxiert. Der Brief wurde innerhalb Niederländisch Indiens nachgesandt und aufgrund des Todes des Empfängers retourniert. Das Kuvert oben gering fehlerhaft, 4 Werte der Frankatur mit meist unauffälligen Fehlern, jedoch insgesamt für diese Wegstrecke in guter Erhaltung. Ein außerordentlich seltener und attraktiver Brief; es sind nur wenige Briefe frankiert mit 4 Stück 3 Pence von Alexandria bekannt. Fotoattest Brettl BPP (2001)

RUSSIA-IONIAN ISLANDS, 1845, Unpaid entire letter from Odessa to Cefalonia with frontside transit mark of Corfu and arrival mark on reverse; charged with a total of "1/3" (shilling/pence) to be paid by the recipient

SWEDEN-GREECE, 1851, Cover from "STOCKHOLM 24/10 1851" to the British mission at Athens, partly prepaid in cash with 6 skilling bco. till Stralsund, transported via Prussia (frontside boxed "Aus Schweden") and Trieste with blue Athens arrival mark on reverse. On the way charged with "9/9" kreuzer c.m. Postal Union rate and Austrian sea post; in Greece charged with a total of "110" lepta to be paid by the recipient. A scarce destination for Swedish letters.

SWEDEN-STRAITS SETTLEMENTS/CHINA, 1863, Small cover from Grenna, addressed to a crew member of the British corvette 'HMS Barossa' at "Singapore or elsewhere", re-directed to China. The letter was originally endorsed "via Marseille", but altered into "Trieste + Alexandria", franked with 1858, 5 oere yellow-green, 9 oere lilac, 30 oere brown and 2 copies 50 oere carmine (a further 50 oere stamp originally applied at upper left is missing). On front boxed "Aus Schweden per Stralsund" and blue crayon "f 13½" (silbergroschen) for the foreign postage beyond Trieste, on reverse transit marks of Ystad and Trieste and tax stamp "15/52". At Alexandria marked "1/-" in red crayon with adjacent red cds. Despite the missing stamp a very attractive cover, just 3 further letters from this period have been recorded from Sweden to Singapore. Certificate Dr. Helena Obermüller-Wilén (2004) (Fazit 7c1, 8b, 11b, 12d)

TURKISH EMPIRE (AEGEAN ISLANDS)-AUSTRIA, 1871, Lettersheet endorsed inside "Lemnos 31 Decemb. 1871" franked with Austrian Levante 1867, 15 soldi brown, tied by clear "TENEDOS ../1"; on reverse transit mark "LLOYD AGENCIE CONSTANTINOPOLI 2/1" and cds of Constantinople and Trieste (16.1.). A fine and rare cover from a small postal agency

TURKISH EMPIRE (ALBANIA)-FRANCE, 1851, Unpaid entire letter of Charles Pooten, bishop of Maronia and apostolic administrator of Antivari with attractive negative sender's seal on front, endorsed "Dalla Missione dell'Albania", with double line "CATTARO 1 FEB." to Lyon, showing on front red "TS" (Transito Sardo) and on reverse transit mark of Triest. The conveyance in Austria till the Sardinian border was free of postage; for the remaining way taxed with "8" centesimi Sardinian transit, crossed and changed into a total of "15" decimes to be paid by the recipient. An interesting and very attractive letter Contents: The bishops asks for financial help for restoring and building churches in the Turkish province of Albania.

TURKISH EMPIRE (ALBANIA)-ITALY, 1870, Lettersheet from Scutari via Triest to Venice, prepaid till Antivari with 1869, 1 piastre yellow, tied by all arabic double circle with adjacent blue "SCUTARI D'ALBANIE 1/2". In Venice franked with 2 copies postage due 1869, 10 c. brown-orange and 1870, 50 c. orange/carmine, all tied by boxed "VENEZIA ARRIVO 9 FEB. 70"; few shortish perfs, otherwise fine and fresh; a scarce combination cover

TURKISH EMPIRE (ALBANIA)-ITALY, 1870, Lettersheet from Scutari via Antivari and Trieste to Venice, franked for the internal postage with 2 copies Turkey 1869,  postage due 20 paras, tied by all Arabic blue double circle with adjacent "SCUTARI D'ALBANIE 24/5" and for the conveyance to Venice with Austrian Levante 1867, 5 soldi red and 2 copies 10 soldi blue, tied by brownish "ANTIVARI 2../5"; on reverse transit- and arrival marks. A fine and attractive combination cover

TURKISH EMPIRE (EPIRUS)-AUSTRIA, 1866, Lettersheet from Janina to Trieste, franked with Austrian Levante 1864, 5 soldi rose, vertical strip of 3 and vertical pair, tied by 3 clear strikes of cds. "JANINA 15/2". The central stamp affected by file fold, otherwise very fine and fresh. A most attractive and rare cover of delightful appearance. Provenance: 'Cihangir' (Corinphila 2000)

TURKISH EMPIRE(LEBANON)-AUSTRIA, 1867, Unpaid entire letter from Beirut to Vienna with brownish cds. "BERUTTI 12/10", taxed on front with "20" new kreuzer, to be paid by the recipient. The postage consists of 10 kreuzer sea postage from Beirut to Trieste and 10 kreuzer internal Austrian postage.

TURKISH EMPIRE (MACEDONIA)-AUSTRIA, 1866, Entire registered letter from Cavalla via Trieste to Vienna, prepaid with Austrian Levante 1864, 15 soldi brown and 2 copies 10 soldi blau, tied by 2 clear strikes of blue single circle "CAVALLA 26/5" with adjacent blue "RECOM.". The franking consists of 25 soldi postage and 10 soldi registration fee. Franked letters from Cavalla in this period are extremely rare; this registered letter is supposed to be unique. Certificate Eichele (2010)

TURKISH EMPIRE (MACEDONIA)-AUSTRIA, 1860, Cash paid lettersheet with black single circle "CAVALLA 24/5" and adjacent straight line "FRANCO" to Trieste with "20" soldi prepayment noted on reverse

TURKISH EMPIRE-AUSTRIA, 1869, Complete printed matter from Constantinople to Trieste, franked with horizontal pair Austrian Levante 1867, 2 soldi orange in beautiful nice fresh shade, tied by superb strike of double circle "CONSTANTINOPEL 20/11". An extremely fine and most attractive entire; signed Ferchenbauer with certificate (1993) Provenance: Pietro Provera (collector's mark)

TURKISH EMPIRE-AUSTRIA, 1871, Lettersheet franked with Austrian Levante 1867, 15 soldi brown, tied by superb strike of blue "SAMSUN 26/8". The stamp minor bend due to letter contents, otherwise very fine and fresh. A very attractive entire.

TURKISH EMPIRE-BELGIUM, 1830, Unpaid entire letter from Smyrna with straight line "TURQUIA" to Verviers, showing on reverse clear desinfection seal "NETTO DI FUORA E SPORCO DI DENTRO" (Meier main type A), red "Duitschland over Verviers" and red arrival mark of June 4. Upon arrival a total of "95" centimes charged to the recipient.

TURKISH EMPIRE-BELGIUM, 1856, Unpaid lettersheet from "CONSTANTINOPLE 19/9" to Bruxelles; at Triest blue framed "7¼" tax mark applied for the due amount of 7¼ silbergroschen (= 91 centimes), rounded up to 100 centimes = "10" decimes; together with the internal Belgium postage a total of "12" decimes charged to the recipient. Bruxelles arrival mark of September 29 on reverse. A fine entire

TURKISH EMPIRE-FRANCE, 1864, Lettersheet from Constantinople to Marseille, prepaid by Austrian Levante 1864, 10 soldi blue and horizontal pair 15 soldi brown, tied by cds. "CONSTANTINOPEL 9/2"; on front red "AUTRICHE-LANS LE BOURG 17 FEVR. 64" and on reverse arrival mark of February 18. The franking some minor wrinkles, otherwise very fine and fresh.

TURKISH EMPIRE-GREAT BRITAIN, 1868, Unpaid entire letter with black single circle "SMYRNE 11/4" via Trieste to London. In Trieste taxed with rare blue handstamp "5" (silbergroschen) consisting of  2 silbergroschen sea postage and the former postal union postage of 3 silbergroschen which was still effected for a short time during North German Federation period for some transit mail. In Aachen black "5½" (silbergroschen) applied, in London a total of 11 pence charged to the recipient. An attractive and rare letter; supposed to be one of only 2 entires recorded with the "5" of Triest.

DUTCH INDIES-FINLAND, 1854, Entire letter from Battavia to Helsingfors, endorsed "via Trieste + Königsberg", prepaid till Alexandria with blue "BATTAVIA FRANCO 28/5", manuscript taxes "3¼" for the conveyance from Alexandria to Triest and "3" for the distance from Triest to the German-Russian border. The recipient was charged with a total of "31" kopeks, noted on reverse next to Berlin transit mark. A fine entire with scarce destination

DUTCH INDIES-PRUSSIA, 1857 (ca.), Entire triple rate letter, written by missionary Georg Zimmer from his station in Palingkau with superb strike of negativ "BANJERMASSING FRANCO" to the inspector of the 'Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft', J.C. Wallmann at Barmen. The entire was prepaid with "480" duiten for a triple rate entire transported directly via Singapore instead of the normal route via Battavia, this notation crossed on the way and changed in "360". On reverse transit mark "EMMERICH/OBERHAUSEN 2 4" and distribution mark of the same day. The handstamp came in use 1856, the recipient, J.C. Wallmann, was in office until late 1857, so the letter can be dated within this period. Highly interesting and quite spectacular letter from an outpost of civilization in the jungle of Borneo. Certificate van der Vlist (2008) The letter is accompanied by rich information about the 'Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft' and its missionaries on the island of Borneo, most of which were murdered in the uprising of 1859.

DUTCH INDIES-SWEDEN, 1859, Entire letter with frontside "BATTAVIA FRANCO 24/12", endorsed "via Triest direct" to Stockholm, prepaid with "1/-" till Alexandria and charged with "6" silbergroschen for the conveyance from Alexandria to Hamburg. In Sweden charged with a total of "99" oere to be paid by the recipient. On reverse transit marks of Berlin and the Thurn & Taxis and Swedish post offices at Hamburg. A fine and scarce letter with unusual destination for the Dutch Indies.