377th Auction

HANDSTAMPS: 13 old instruction hand stamps "AVION", "DÉCÉDÉ", "VERIFIE" etc., plus 4 other items

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.