STOCKHOLMIA 2019 & ERIVAN Worldwide Rarities

1840, 2 d. blue Mulready envelope, a used example sent registered in 1891 from Liverpool to the Danish Vice-Consul in Hamburg (O. Schack-Sommer (1822-1906), Knight of the Order of Dannebrog), up-rated with 1887 Jubilee 2½ d. purple on blue horizontal pair tied by ‘466’ obliterators in black and by oval framed ‘R’ with ‘Liverpool / N.D. / Registered’ datestamp above (Jan 14). A very late usage of the Mulready envelope – accepted as Payment for the registration fee (2d.) on a double weight letter (5d.). Just five registered Mulready envelopes are recorded of which only two bear additional adhesive stamps; an exceptional usage to an overseas destination – the sole example known, certificate BPA (2010) (SG ME4b+201)
Provenience: John Seybold, Syracuse (approx. 1910; handstamped on reverse)
                      R.Lowe-Christie's sale (Jan. 1984)
                      Shaida (approx. 1994)
 

1840, 1d. black, plate 8, lettered OE, mostly large to very large margins, just shaved at upper right, tied by two strikes of Maltese Cross in black to 1841 REGISTERED entire to Doncaster, with manuscript „Regst.279“ in red and 1/- Registered Fee notation in same ink which also ties the adhesive. ‚PAID – L.S. 11 MY 11 1841‘ datestamp confirming cash payment of 1s. Registered Fee at Lombard Street. Registered covers bearing the 1840 1d. black are amongst the rarest usages of the World’s First postage stamp, as the option to send letters registered was only introduced at the end of the life-span of the 1d. black, just four weeks before the introduction of the 1841 One Penny Red. The fully preserved letter mentions a formerly „...enclosed Bank Post Bill payable to your order.“  Cert. RPSL (2008).(SG no.: 2; AS46)
 

1841, 1 d. red-brown on blued lettered TJ and 2 d. blue single and pair, lettered DB and DA/EA, large margins, only 2d EA, just touched at base, used on small registered 1853 cover to the Manager of the Provincial Bank in Limerick, all tied by Irish '353' numeral obliterators in black and by Newcastle (Limerick) despatch cds (July 29) in red. Reverse with Limerick arrival cds (same day). An attractive and scarce cover and without doubt one of the most beautiful registered covers from Ireland bearing 1841, 1d and 2d. Cert. BPA (1996) (SG 8,14)

1858, 1d. deep rose red, (8 examples) all tied by three strikes of the Scots Local ‚GLENDARUEL‘ handstamp (Type III) in deep blue on 10 February 1858 registered front used locally in Glasgow. Scots Local  Cancellations used on registered covers are of exceptional rarity, out of the just six recovered in Karl Louis' Card Index, five originate from the "Inspector of the Poor" office archive. Some minor imperfections mainly at the top as can be expected, nevertheless a delightful and most appealing. An Exhibition piece.  (SG No. 40)
 

1882, 5 s. rose, on white paper, watermark Large Anchor, Plate 4, lettered GF, an unused example of fine colour, one imperceptible slightly blunted perf. at top mentioned for full accuracy only and not remotely affecting the appearance, large part og. An exceptional example of a very rare stamp. Certificate RPSL (2008) SG 134; Gi = £ 35'000)

"D26" Spanish West Indies Mailboat, sharp oily strike tying GB 1865, 4 pence vermilion to folded lettersheet to Fort Lee, New Jersey, endorsed "Due 10 c" and stamp additionally tied by "N.Y. STEAMSHIP 10 / DEC 10". On reverse corresponding clear "SPANISH MAIL PACKET NO 8 68" and "ST. THOMAS NO 18 68". Large part of perforation clipped and the entire with expert reinforcement or restoration in corners and folds. An attractive and extremely rare entire, the only recorded with this cancellation tying a British stamp. A spectacular cover. (SG no. Z191)
Provenance: Pictured in 'A Caribean Neptune'

1849 (OCTOBER 17), 40 c. carmine-vermilion, the famous unused corner block of four from the lower left of the sheet, positions 81-82 / 91-92, on the sheet of 200 stamps, on thin paper with watermark 'LL' in frame and sheet marginal watermark (PO)STES at left, large even margins all around and stamps of fabulous rich colour, trivial corner bend in margin only and slight closed nick in margin at base mentioned for full accuracy, minor wrinkling on large part original gum with lower pair unmounted o.g. A wonderful multiple of outstanding freshness and the sole recorded mint multiple in this resonant shade. Unique. Signed Grubben, Balasse and Williame. Certificate Pierre Kaiser AIEP (2013) (COB 5)
Provenance: Collection General Robert Gill (RL / Kaufmann, Basel, 21 October 1965, lot 1483), Collection Lars Amundsen (Stanley Gibbons, London, February 1969, lot 154), Collection Georges Marquet (Balasse sale 1324, 1987), Exhibited in Monte Carlo, December 2015 and in the Court of Honour in New York, 2016

1851, 40 c. carmine-rose, an unused vertical pair with full sheet margin above, on thick paper watermarked LL without frame, large even margins all around and of exquisite colour and appearance, one or two tiny hinge remnants on large part original gum. A magnificent and very rare multiple in the foremost quality.  Certificate Pierre Kaiser AIEP (2013). (COB 8)
Provenance: Collection Georges Marquet (Balasse, sale 1324, 1987)
                     Balasse, Brussels, 13 March 1993, lot 34.
 

1872, Cover from Stege to Rio de Janeiro endorsed ‘via England’ at lower left, franked by bicoloured 3 sk. lilac & grey and 4 sk. red & grey both perf. 14 x 13½, with scarce 48 sk. lilac & brown, perf. 12½, tied by circular ‘68’ target handstamps in black and by ‘London / Paid’ transit cds (Dec 17). Manuscript red crayon ‘1sh.’ British credit on front with ‘240’ (reis) due on arrival in blue crayon. Reverse with Rio de Janeiro arrival cds (Jan 26, 1873) in black. The 48 sk. with slight corner bend but a very rare cover to a most unusual destination. Certificate Lasse Nielsen (1998). (Afa as per certificate)
Provenance: Collection R. Koester (RL, Zurich, 26 June 1985), Collection Dr. Gene Scott (Postiljonen, Malmo, 24 March 2000, lot 533)

'Ringtype 1891 postal stationeries', the Kari Rahiala 8 frame international exhibition collection awarded gold at 'PHILA NIPPON 2011' and large gold at 'NORDIA 2016' comprising a large range of interesting material: several cards and letters used in Russia, including a registered letter from St. Petersburg to Chicago with additional Russian stamp, several insured covers, registered printed matters, registered postcards to abroad, 4 kopeks postcard used on the first day of issue and many interesting and rare destinations including South Africa, St. Vincent, Mauritius, Chile (registered cover with US transit label and Chilean register label), Sumatra, Hawaii and Cuba. A very interesting and impressive object of this area.

1852, 10 c. bistre, two single examples and a horizontal strip of three, all with large margins, used on 1859 entire letter from Ineboli, Turkey to the Inspector of Customs in Syria in Beirut, tied by fine strikes of ‘4010’ petit chiffres in blue with pearled INEBOLI / TURQ. D’ASIE cds (May 3) and framed ‘PD’ in blue at right. Reverse with ‘Constantinople / Turquie’ cds (May 5) and ‘Smyrne / Turquie’ transit (May 8) both in black. File folds well away from the superb adhesives, a magnificent and very rare cover. Signed Calves. Certificate A. Roumet (2010). (Maury 13)

1855,  Great Britain 1 d. red-brown, wmk. Small Crown, perf. 16, a horizontal strip of three used on 1855 cover mailed from Gallipoli (where there was a British Army hospital during the Crimean War), mailed at the French Post Office and cancelled by good strikes of ‘3767’ petit chiffres. Pearled ‘Gallipoli / Turquie’ datestamp at left (July 17) in black. Small cartridge ‘Paquebot / De La / Mediterranée’ in red, thence via Marseille (July 24) to Glasgow, where taxed as posted out of course and charged 1/2 d. due to pay in manuscript. Exceptionally rare and probably unique usage. Signed Holcombe. (SG 17)
 

1862, Empire 40 c. orange, a used example on 1867 cover with imprinted ‘Messageries Impériales Services Maritimes’ on reverse, from Sinope, Turkey to Mothe St. Héraye, Deux Sevres, France tied by ‘5097’ gros chiffres with corresponding pearled SINOPE / TURQUIE D’ASIE cds alongside (Sept 9) in blue. Framed ‘PD’ at right and reverse with ‘Constantinople / Turquie’ transit cds (Sept 11), ‘Marseille a Lyon’ cds (Sept 17) and arrival. Extremely rare with just a handful of covers recorded from this Office. Certificate A. Roumet (2000). (Maury 23)

1870, Siège 40 c. pale orange, a used horizontal pair on 1872 cover from Ordou, Turkey to Mothe St. Héraye, Deux Sevres, France tied by ‘5097’ gros chiffres with corresponding pearled ORDOU / TURQUIE D’ASIE cds alongside (July 28) in black. Framed ‘PD’ at right and reverse with ‘Constantinople / Turquie’ transit cds (July 30), ‘Marseille a Paris’ cds (Aug 8) and arrival. Extremely rare with just a handful of covers recorded from this Office. Signed Calves. Certificate Soluphil (1990). (Maury 38)
 

1874, Entire letter sent unpaid from Énos (Enez, Thrace, Turkey) to Genova, Italy struck with exceptional impression of the pearled ÉNOS / TURQUIE despatch datestamp (May 8) in blue. ‘Les Dardanelles / Turquie’ transit cds at right in black (May 21) and large ‘90 LEP’ handstruck due marking in black. Reverse with further strike of ‘Les Daranelles’ datestamp, Messina cds (June 3), Naples cds (June 4) and Genova arrival, where taxed with Italian 1870 Postage Due 30 c. and 60 c. tied by ‘Genova’ cds’s (June 6). Minor imperfections of no significance - a magnificent and extremely rare entire – unique. Signed Calves.
Provenance: Collection 'Cihangir' (Corinphila sale 121, Zurich, 1 May 2000, lot 2843)

1900, Special printing on Bristol, 2 large pages (65:50 cm), with printed images (alltogether 9) of postcards, lettercards and envelope. Slight marginal faults, but generally fine. Very rare, only 3 sets were issued

1958/67, 'Flora' issues, 6 archive pages of Courvoisier S.A. with progressive proofs (4 or 5 each) of 17 values including unissued 1958, 17 aur in 4 different colours, unissued 1961, 1,50 kronor value and from the same year a stamp without denomination in design of 3,50 kronor stamp and 1967, 2,50 kronor stamp in unissued colour. A unique ensemble

1935, experimental coil stamp 2 d., perforated 15 x imperforated, tied by cds. "NAS NA RIOGH 10 VI 36" to postcard to Vienna, Austria with arrival mark on front; the stamp applied with top right perforation slightly over the edge of the cover, but still intact. A fine and very rare single franking. Just 4 entires with this stamp are recorded, including only one further to a foreign destination (Hibernian T4cii)

1852, 50 bajocchi blue, fine printing, fresh colour and with large even margins, used together with 6 bajocchi on greenish-grey in horizontal pair and single 8 bajocchi black on double rate letter sheet from Rome (DEC 14, 1861) via France and England to Kingston, Canada with arrival mark of January 3, 1862. The 8 bajocchi slightly unfresh and the cover with some small stains, otherwise fine. A rare and attractive letter with a most unusual destination. Signed Avi with certificate (2018)

1852, 1sc. carmine-rose, just touched at right and with huge margins on adjoining sides, used with horizontal pair of 6 baj. black on grey and single 2 baj. greenish-white on registered cover from Rome to St. Paul, Réunion tied by Rome grill with straight line ASSICURATA below with despatch cds in black (May 31) and ‘Italie / Lanslebourg’ transit (June 3) and CHARGÉ in red on obverse. The reverse with rate box in red, Marseille cds, ‘Réunion / St. Denis’ cds in blue (July 5) – this repeated on front – and St. Paul arrival cds in black.  Small closed tear at left but a remarkable and rare usage of the 1 scudo on letter to a most extraordinary destination – the sole recorded cover usage to Réunion.  Signed A. Diena, E. Diena. Certs. A. Bolaffi (1985), G. Colla (2017) (Sassone 3A+7A+11 = € 90.000,- +)

1868, 3 c. black on grey glazed paper and 5 c. black on dark blue, used on the address label of 1868 Printed Matter cover from Rome to Padua, the adhesives in fine quality with good perforations, neatly tied in black. A very rare franking for the 8 centesimi rate with just 12 items recorded thus. Signed E. Diena. Cert. Colla (2016) (Sassone 24+25d = € 52.500,-)

Provisional Government 1859, 5 c. green, 20 c. violet-blue and 40 c. red-brown, all with four margins all round, used on 1859 registered cover from Modena to Sassuolo tied by nine bar obliterators in black. Modena despatch cds (Nov 21) at base with framed RACCOMANDATA in black at right. One side flap missing but a magnificent three colour franking in delightful condition. Signed G. Bolaffi, A. Bolaffi., A. Diena. Cert. E. Diena (1991) (Sassone 12+15+17c = € 37.500,-)

Provisional Government 1859, 5 c. green, two vertical pairs with large margins all round, used on 1860 cover from Modena to Torino, lightly cancelled by two strikes of the nine bar obliterator in black, with ‘Modena’ despatch cds (Jan 17) alongside. A fine and rare usage. Signed A. Diena, E. Diena, G. Bolaffi (1954), A. Bolaffi, P. Vaccari (Sassone 12 = € 22.000,-)
 

Provisional Government 1859, 20 c. grey-violet with full margins all round and 20 c. black-violet, imperceptibly touched at left, used on 1859 cover from Reggio to Ancona cancelled in blue with ‘Reggio’ datestamp (Dec 12) in blue. An extraordinary example of two listed shades of the same stamp on the same cover, almost certainly the sole example extant. Signed Jamet. R. Diena. Certs. Gazzi (1977), Sorani (1989), E. Diena (1993) (Sassone 15+15b = € 9.450,- +)
 

Provisional Government 1859, 20 lilac and 20 c. lilac with “ECNT” for CENT error, each with large margins all round, used on 1860 entire letter from Modena to Samaden, Switzerland cancelled by nine bar obliterators in black with Modena cds at right (Jan 20). Reverse with Milano transit cds (Jan 24). An exceptional entire in the foremost quality, a unique combination to a most unusual destination. Certs. A. Diena (1963) and E. Diena (1989) (Sassone 16+16c = € 40.000,-)

1851, 5 c. intense black, a used inter-pane ‘interspazio’ horizontal pair, with ample to large margins all round, lightly cancelled by the lozenge of dots in black, very fine and extremely rare: undoubtedly the finest of the three pairs recorded. Signed E. Asinelli. Cert. E. Diena (1987) (Sassone 1b = € 120.000,-)
 

1859, 2 gr. cobalt, Plate 1, pos. 45, large margins on three sides, just touched at left, used on cover from Palermo, January 1st, 1859 to Assoro on the First Day of Issue – a rare first day cover of attractive appearance. Signed Alberto and Raffaele Diena. Cert. Colla (2016) (Sassone 6b = € 250.000,-)
 

1863, De La Rue 40 c. rose, an unused block of four of vibrant fresh colour, marginal from right of sheet with imprint POSTALI at right, excellent centering for the issue, fine unmounted original gum. A magnificent multiple in the foremost quality and probably the finest known. Signed A. Diena. Cert. G. Colla (2016) (Sassone L20 = € 140.000,-)

1852, William III. 10 centimes grey-black in marginal block of 4, nice fresh colour and good margins including ca. 3/4 mm sheet margin at right, lightly cancelled by circle of 9 bars of Luxemburg. A very faint and almost invisible surface rub in the upper left stamp mentioned for accuracy only, otherwise very fine and fresh. A rare multiple in this condition. Certificate Demuth (1985)