377th Auction

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS-AUSTRIA, 1865 (ca.), double rate cover from Penang, prepaid untill Alexandria with 2 copies India 1856, 8 annas pale carmine, cancelled by indistinct "B147", the left stamp tied by red double circle "PENANG PO". On front manuscript "2/-" for the prepayment till Alexandria; in Trieste originally charged with "15" (kreuzer), but crossed out and substituted with "30" for the double rate. On reverse rare framed "C.S. TRIEST 9-II VORM.", temporarily used on letters arriving from the Greek post office at Corfu. The right stamp with upper right corner perf bend over, otherwise fine. A scarce entire. Signed Holcombe with certificate (1997) (SG India 49) Note: The sender company Schmidt, Küstermann & Co. was established in 1863.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS-AUSTRIA, 1871, Lettersheet with part of contents, part-paid for the 2nd Indian rate till Alexandria with 1867/72, 24 c. blue-green, tied by duplex "D14/SINGAPORE DE 20 71", adjacent boxed "VIA TRIEST". In Triest taxed as GPU single rate letter with "15" kreuzer in blue crayon to be paid by the recipient. Fine and scarce (SG 16)

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS-RUSSIA/ESTONIA, 1858, Cover from Singapore to Reval, prepaid till Alexandria with horizontal pair 4 anna black on bluish, cancelled with octogonal "B172"; charged for the conveyance from Alexandria to Reval with "9/9/9" (9 kreuzer sea-, 9 kreuzer Postal Union- and 9 kreuzer Russian postage), the Postal Union share noted with "6¼" (silbergroschen); on front arrival mark of April 7, 1858. A rare letter with indian stamps used in Malaysia with a very unusual destination. Certificate BPA (1999) (SG Z68)