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)
