378. Auktion

“RUSTSCHUK 21/8” auf 1867, Ganzsachenumschlag 10 So. blau mit Zufrankatur von 2 Einzelwerten 3 So. grün und 3 Stück 10 So. blau (eine mit unwesentlicher Zahnverkürzung) als Brief der 2. Gewichtsstufe nach London mit vorderseitigem Ankunftsstempel vom 26.8.1872. Ein sehr attraktiver Brief mit außerordentlich seltener Frankatur-Kombination, Befund Todd AIEP

“RUSTSCHUK 29/10” auf 1867, 3 So. grün und 10 So. blau im Paar auf kleinem Briefkuvert 1873 auf die Insel Jersey mit Ankunftsstempel. Die 3 So. leicht über den Rand des Kuverts geklebt und unten minimale Zahntönung, sonst gute Erhaltung. Ein attraktiver und seltener kleiner Brief mit außerordentlich seltene Destination, Befund Todd AIEP

“VIA VARNA”, L1 sauber Auf und frankiertem Briefkuvert der bekannten Hudaverdoglu-Korrespondenz 1870 nach Manchester mit rückseitigem Fingerhutstempel “VARNA 7/5”; in England taxiert mit Handstempel “11 d.”. Befund Todd AIEP

1854, 1d. red-brown and 2d. blue, plate 4, Wmk. Small Crown, perf. 16 (off centre; cut by scissors along design at top and bottom), cancelled with *Crown* obliterator used on envelope (faults and opened out for display) backstamped „BRITSH ARMY POST OFFICE AU ... 1854“ in blue as used in Varna to Epsom, Surrey. The 1854, 2d. is exceedingly rare cancelled with *Crown* obliterator. Greg Todd opinion (2015) stating in error ‚OXO‘ obliteration.

Provenance: J.B.Seymour (Robson Lowe auction 6 June 1951, lot 1055, then stated to be unique)

Robson Lowe Postal History auction (March 1988, lot 328)

Francois X. Piat collection (2015)

1854, 1d. red-brown, Wmk. Small Crown, perf. 16, vertical pair and single (faults, perfs. cut by scissors) cancelled in transit in London used on envelope backstamped „BRITISH ARMY JY 9 1854“, addressed to Dublin, Ireland. An early usage, the P.O. only opened in Varna on June 20, 1854. An attractive early cover from the ‚Assistant Surgeon Miller, H.M. 77th. Regiment“ correspondence to  Dublin. A pendant cover from the Miller correspondence is housed in the R.M.Phillips collection, National Postal Museum London, Vol. XVII, page 45. Greg Todd opinion (2014)

1854, „BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE AU 5 1854“ c.d.s. in blue from Varna struck on top flap of part entire mailed from the „Black Sea Fleet“ via Marseilles bearing 1854, 1d. red-brown, Wmk. Small Crown, perf. 16, strip of 3 (corner fault), cancelled on arrival in London, to Worthing. Greg Todd opinion (2015)

Provenance: Francois X. Piat (2015)

1854, „BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE JY 29 1854“ datestamp on reverse of unpaid  envelope (with decorative red crest on flap), rated ‚3’d. in ms. due on delivery, most probably mailed from a British Camp in Bulgaria to London. In July 1854 the British Forces were mainly gathered in Camps in Bulgaria. Greg Todd opinion (2013)

Provenance: Dr. Kelly Tighe (Spink 1997)

1854, „Camp at Varna / 26 June 1854“, autographed lettersheet from Lieut. Col. Sir D.A. Cameron to the Assistant Postmaster in Camp at Varna relating to postal affairs, reading: “........letters of the 42nd. Regiment should be delivered without delay“. Greg Todd opinion (2015)

Provenance: Dr. G. Paprikoff 

1854, „From Varna June 3rd. 1854“ endorsed on envelope via French P.O. in Constantinople (June 5), sent unpaid and charged „1s.3d.“ due to pay on arrival in Wingham. In addition  lettersheet headed „Camp 8 miles West of Varna, on the road to Shumla, June 7th.1854“  featuring interesting content „....to go by the Austrian mail tomorrow....“. Both items originating from the Hammond correspondance. Greg Todd opinion (2015).

1854, „Jena Bazaar August 12th 1854“ (near Shumla), entire letter franked by 1854 , 1d. red-brown, Wmk. Small Crown, perf. 16, block of 3 (one stamp with short perfs.) cancelled in London on arrival. Interesting Field Post related content:“...post is four days quicker at Varna as we are two days post from that place though it is only about 45 miles off....“. Greg Todd opinion (2015)

Provenance: Peter Chadwick(2007), Francois X. Piat (2015)

1854, „On Board the Kangaroo in Varna Bay Sept. 2“ (1854), envelope endorsed „Varna“ with content showing faint POST OFFICE BRITISH ARMY datestamp on reverse, to London charged ‚6‘ (pence) in ms. to be paid on delivery. Unusual 6 pence rate. Greg Todd opinion (2015)

1854, „R.M.S. Avan, Baltchik Bay, 5 September 1854“, entire letter sent at double the Soldier’s rate franked with 1854, 1d. red-brown, Wmk. Small Crown, perf. 16,  two singles and two pairs, cancelled with faint *Crown* obliterator, (unclear) BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE (in blue) and London arrival datestamps on reverse. The only double rate cover recorded from the British troops in Bulgaria and very probably the latest mail recorded from the British Military land office in Bulgaria, usual small imperfections, but a very important item in regard of the Crimean War in the Bulgarian area. The Expeditionary fleet sailed from Baltchik Bay to the Crimea two days later on September 7, 1854. Greg Todd opinion (2014)    

Provenance: E.E. Yates (Robson Lowe auction, July 1940, lot 271 )

CRIMEAN WAR: 1854, „From Alady, June 17th, 1854“ ms. notation on envelope from the Hammond correspondence, unusually posted through the French Field Post Office ‚ARMEE D’ORIENT / BAU A 19 JUIN 54“ , charged ‚10’d. due on receipt in Dover (civilian rate in error), rare and fine. Greg Todd opinion (2015). Also envelope from the same correspondance with ms. notation „Camp Devna, July 18th & July 20-23“ on front, posted through the British Army Field Post, adhesives lost. Interesting pair of covers 

French Forces in transit to / from the Crimea: 1853, Empire 20c. blue, clear to large margins (two scissor cuts in margin only), tied by „A.O.D.“ lozenge to envelope from a Camp near Varna showing „ARMEE D’ORIENT / BAU D. 30 NOV. 54“ datestamp to St.Jean de Luz. Signed Brun, Greg Todd opinion (2015)

Provenance: Francois X. Piat (2015)

French Forces in transit to / from the Crimea: 1853, Empire 20c. blue, just touched at base, otherwise large margins, tied by dotted ‚A.O.C.‘ lozenge to cover, showing „ARMEE D’ORIENT / BAU C 15 NOV. 1854“ datestamp and ms. „Varna“. Greg Todd opinion (2015)

Provenance: Francois X. Piat (2015)

French Forces in transit to / from the Crimea: 1853, Empire 20c. blue, large margins but closed tear at top, tied by dotted „A.O.B.S.“ to cover showing faint „ARMEE D’ORIENT / SED.RE 24 NOV. 54“ datestamp (Bureau Sedetaire) and ms. „Varna 24 Novembre 1854“ to Lons Le Saulmier. Sigend Brun and Greg Todd opinion (2015)

Provenance: Francois X. Piat collection (2015)

French Forces in transit to the Crimea: 1853, Empire 10c. bistre, vertical pair, three large margins, just grazed at top, tied by dotted „A.O.Q.G“ lozenge to cover showing „ARMEE D’ORIENT / QUART.GAL 9 OCT. 54“ , with full contents from Varna to Paris. Greg Todd opinion (2015)

Provenance: Francois X. Piat (2015) 

French Forces: 1853, 20c. blue in pair with large margins, tied by dotted „AOQG“ lozenge to envelope (faults) showing „ARMEE D’ORIENT / QUATR. GAL. 7 SEPT 54“ datestamp at lower left. Rare 40 centimes Soldier’s concessionary double rate. The French Fleet sailed from Varna towards an as yet un-agreed landing site in the Crimea on September 7, 1854, the date of the letter. Greg Todd opinion (2015)   

French Forces: 1854, entire letter written on board the french ship ‚HENRY IV‘ off Varna, „ARMEE D’ORIENT / QUART.GAL 1 SEPT. 54“ datestamp and handstruck ‚30‘ centimes due marking on front, the entire somewhat battered. The ‚HENRY IV‘ later took part in the bombardement of Odessa and finally sank in a storm off Eupatoria in Nov. 1854. Greg Todd opinion (2015)

Incoming Mail: 1854, 1d. red-brown and 2d. blue, plate 4, Wmk. Small Crown, perf. 16, tied by ‚PLYMOUTH AU 22 1854‘ spoon to envelope (part of flap missing), addressed to the 20th Regiment. The date of arrival, probably within 12 days, places the the 20th. Regiment at Varna, Bulgaria, some aging and usual envelope faults, rare. The addressee Captain William Radcliffe was present with his Regiment of the Battles of Alma, Inkerman, Balaklava and Sebastopol.  Greg Todd opinion (2014)

Provenance: „The Radcliffe Correspondence“ (Spink 2014)

FROM GREAT BRITAIN: 1877, cover from London to the British Embassy at Constantinople, franked with 1 d. red; re-directed to Varna with red Constantinople cds. and „LLOYD AGENZIE CONSTNTINOPOLI“ on reverse; charged upon arrival with „20“ soldi. Little roughly opened, otherwise fine.

1856/58, 1 d. deep rose-red (plate 34) on white paper, die II with watermark 4, block of 4 (QA-QB/RA-RB) with large left sheet margin, unused with large part of original gum, folded horizontally and partly separated between stamps, otherwise fine, certificate Louis BPP (2017)

1840, 1d. black, pl.8, FL, cut in on 2 sides, otherwise huge margins, including parts of three neighbouring stamps, tied by red MC to entire letter 1841from Liverpool via London Forwarding Agent Robert Forster, Beer Lane, for onward transmission to Madeira. On reverse Liverpool despatch cds. and London cds, both in red, On front “160”(reis) Madeira due in manuscript, to be paid by the recipient. A rare and attractive usage of a penny black on letter to abroad. Certificate BPA (2013).

1 £ brown-lilac, ED, fresh colour and good perforation and centering, neatly cancelled "VICTORIA ST. B.O. JY 10 83", faint horizontal creasing including a tiny paper split in and above "E" of "ONE", certificate Louis BPP(2021)

1882, 5 £ orange, DF, nice deep colour, neatly cancelled by clear central "CREWE DE 19 02"; pressed crease in the lower right corner and few perfs at right slightly deepened, still fine and most attractive, certificate Louis BPP (2021)

"BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE B SP22 1855" on reverse of cover to Cruachan near Fort William, Scotland, franked on front with 1854/57, 1 d. red-brown in vertical strip of 3, tied by "47" upon arrival

"BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE ...." with unclear date on reverse of cover to Dublin, franked on front with 1854/57, 1 d. red-brown in horizontal strip of 3, tied by "48" upon arrival in England (March 1856); endorsed "Crimean letter" and "Via Marseilles"

1973, sights 3p. frame grayish yellow instead of medium olive, block of four with right sheet margin, mint never hinged, fine

1973, sights 3½p. frame gray-brown instead of olive gray, block of four with right sheet margin, mint never hinged, fine

DWI: "PAID AT ST. THOMAS" (CC2), good strike on entire letter from St. Croix with adjacent Danish "CHRISTIANSTED 12 5 1862" to South Zorra, West Canada, endorsed "Via Halifax", paid with 4 c. inland postage and "pd 4 d." British postage to Halifax, transported via "ST. GEORGES MY 18 1862", on reverse also transit mark of Quebec and arrival mark of May 31; on front marked "unpaid 5" which was applied to part paid letters. A very interesting and rare letter with light patina, one of the few recorded carried by open mail

"GUADALOUPE A MR 26 71", red cds. on reverse of entire letter, dated inside "Pointe a Pitre March 23th 1871" to Digby, Nova Scotia, franked with French Colonies Eagle issue 20 c. blue for the french postage, tied by mute cancel, adjacent  "PAQ. ANG. / POINTE A PITRE GUADe 25 MARS 71", on reverse transit "ST. THOMAS MR 28" and Digby arrival mark of April 14. In Halifax tax mark "CTS 12½" applied and charged with "4" pence upon arrival, to be paid by the receipient. Stamp small water stain and light corner creases, cover creases not affecting the stamp. A rare letter.

GREAT BRITAIN - GREECE: 1863, unpaid entire letter from "LONDON DE 7 63" via Aachen and Trieste to Patras, here franked with consecutive printings 80 l. in horizontal pair and 10 l. and taxed with "170" Lepta in red crayon to be paid by the recipient, very fine

GREAT BRITAIN - GREECE, 1865, entire letter from Manchester to Syros, franked with 1862/64, 1 sh. green, tied by barred "498"; adjacent blue "AUS ENGLAND PER AACHEN FRANCO". (SG 90)

GREAT BRITAIN - GREECE, 1868, entire letter from "CARDIFF DE 14 68" to Athens, franked with 1865/67, 4 d. vermilion and 6 d. lilac; adjacent blue "AUS ENGLAND PER AACHEN FRANCO". (SG 95,97)

GREAT BRITAIN - IONIAN ISLANDS, 1851, letter sheet from London (9.1.) to Corfu, franked with embossed issued 1 shilling green, cut to shape, and 1841, 1 d. red-brown in strip of 3, cut in at left, otherwise good to large margins, tied by numeral "1" with adjacent "ANGL. CALAIS" and rare blue Corfu tax mark "d/5/3/8". On reverse transit marks of Feldkirch, Verona and Trieste and arrival mark (24.1.). The strip 1 d. with crease at left, where originally applied around the edge of the cover, otherwise fine. A very scarce and unusual entire. (SG 54/55,8/9)

GREAT BRITAIN (IRELAND) - IONIAN ISLANDS, 1855, cover from "STROKESTOWN NO 26 1855" to Corfu, franked with embossed issued 1 shilling green, cut into at top, otherwise good margins, tied by numeral "417" with adjacent red "AUS ENGLAND PER AACHEN FRANCO" and Corfu arrival mark. In Germany marked with "3¼" silbergroschen for the conveyance from Trieste to Corfu. A fine letter with scarce destination.(SG 54/55)