STOCKHOLMIA 2019 & ERIVAN Worldwide Rarities

1867 & 1868, Covers (2) each from Lisbon to the Consul General of Portugal in Constantinople, Turkey, both covers carried at 230 reis rate; the earlier cover endorsed ‘Por El Rey’ at top, with imperforate 1866 10 r. yellow and 100 r. lilac, both with large margins all round, used in combination with perf. 12½ 1867 120 r. blue; tied by dotted «1» numerals with Lisbon despatch cds (Dec 16) and reverse showing Bordeaux transit (Dec 20) and French P.O. in Constantinople arrival (Dec 29). The 1868 matching cover franked by imperforate 1867 100 r. lilac with huge margins for this issue, scissor cut at top in margin only and perf. 1867 10 r. orange-yellow and 120 r. blue similarly tied by numeral ‘1’ with Lisbon despatch cds (April 30) in black. Reverse with French P.O. in Constaninople arrival (May 16). Minor file folds of no significance, a charming and extremely rare pair of three colour – mixed issue frankings to a most unusual destination.
 

1858, Bull's head 54 parale blue on bluish green horizontally laid paper, a magnificent appearing huge margined used example on piece, neatly cancelled by circular "JASSY / MOLDOVA" datestamps (18/8) transposed in blue; exceptional and rare stamp. Signed Kohl, certificates Hunziker (1967) and Heimbüchler BPP (2009)

1858, Second issue 80 parale bright red on blued paper, a magnificent horizontal pair with enormous margins all round, used on 1861 quadruple rate cover to Jassy, tied by fine strikes of framed FRANCO / TEKOUTCI handstamps (Kiriac fig. 320) in blue with corresponding "Tekutsch / Moldova" datestamp (12/8) alongside (Kiriac fig. 283). An extraordinary cover, a pair being the largest known used multiple of the 80 pa. on blued paper recorded. A delightful and rare cover, just four recorded on letter, this being probably the finest. Illustrated in Handbook I on page 173, Handbook III on page 134 and Edition D'Or vol XII on page 87. Certificate Heimbüchler (2010).

Double rate cover to Vienna, franked with Hungary 1874, 5 kreuzer rose-red, 2 copies, tied by clear "BAZIAS 22/9 78" with combination franking D.D.S.G. 1866/78, 10 kreuzer green, type II, in vertical pair with clear blue oval marking "AGENTIE D.D.S.G. SISTOV"; Vienna arrival mark (SEP. 23). The cover was transported by DDSG from Sistov to Bazias (today Romania), from where it was transported by the Hungarian mail on the oldest railway line on romanian ground. The DDSG stamps with small faults, the envelope with some age wear at right. A very attractive and extremely rare cover; only few combination frankings between DDSG and Hungary are recorded, as 2nd rate cover it is unique. Detailed certificate Prof. Ferchenbauer VÖB (2010)
Provenance: J.P. Steinder, Chicago (illustrated in Tchilinghirian p. 522), Emil Capellaro

1872, 5 kopeks blue on horizontally laid paper, used on 1873 cover from Smirna to Marseille cancelled by dotted ‘5098’ gros chiffres with ‘Smyrne / Turquie’ despatch cds at left (Nov 27) in black. Framed ‘Paquebots / De La / Mediterranée’ in red with handstruck ‘20’ décimes charge marking alongside. The adhesive with small contemporary fault at top. Prepayment with the adhensive was not accounted for when the charge was made on arrival. A rare and most unusual cover. Signed Calves, Roumet. Certificate A. Roumet (2002).

1877, 40 c. deep lilac, an unused example from the lower left corner of the sheet with Plate Number “154” in sheet margin at left, fresh rich colour, fine unmounted original gum. The only recorded example with Plate Number and one of the great rarities of the first issue. Unique. Cert. Sorani (1997) (Sassone 7 = unpriced with Plate Number)
Provenance: Ghiglione, Genova, 12June 2009, lot 5085
 

1894, 1 lire ultramarine, an unused corner marginal block of four from the top left corner of the sheet, with Plate Number “2457” at left and large part FRANCOBO(LLI) imprint at top, well centred and of fresh colour, superb unmounted og. Rare: just two blocks of four with Plate Number are recorded. Signed A. Diena. Cert. Raybaudi (2008) (Sassone 31 = € 22.000,- +)

1858/72, Coat of Arms 5 öre green and 50 öre carmine-rose, 2 values each, together with Lion 17 öre violet, all in nice fresh colour and mostly well perforated (few short perfs), used on triple rate entire letter from Stockholm (AUG 17, 1869) to La Rochelle, France with frontside clear blue "SUEDE-ERQUELINES 2o". The cover is overfranked by 1 öre, which seems to be of minor importance for this most attractive combination, which is therefor the only such recorded to France. Certificate H. Obermüller Wilén (1992) (Facit 7b2, 12f2, 15b2)

1858/72, Coat of Arms, 24 öre reddish-orange (nicely centered) with 1866/72, Lion 17 öre lilac, both in nice fresh colour and with good perforation, used on lettersheet from Stockholm (29.6.1869) via Germany to Livorno, Italy. On reverse transit marks "STRALSUND-BERLIN" and "FIRENZE 4 LUG 69", as well as arrival mark. A fine and very rare combination. Certificate Dr. Helena Obermüller Wilén (2004) (Facit 10h2, 15d2)

1865/76, 'Dulos', the outstanding FIP World Exhibition Gold Medal collection mounted on 134 exhibition pages (8 frames + 6 extra pages) with a large number of stamps, letters, essays, proofs, 'specimen' and varieties including several largest multiples and other unique items, several frankings from 'lost territories' and some combination covers including combination frankings with Greek postage due, France, Great Britain, Egypt and Russia. Some of the highlights are 1865, 1 piaster error of colour, 2 copies on entire (ex Yardley and Platinga), 1865, 25 piaster stamp within a 49 piaster colour franking on cover and 2 copies of unissued 1865 postage due 10 para (including one with plate flaw), 1869, 10 para in unused block of 40, etc., etc.The quality of the material is in general far above average. A marvellous and outstanding collection

1858 (March), Block Letters 120 c. blue, a fine large margined example in a milky shade, used on 1858 cover endorsed ‘pr. Mississippi’ of the River Plate Line from Montevideo to Buenos Ayres (Armstrong correspondence) tied by oval ‘Admon De Correos / Montevideo’ datestamp (Sept 19) in black.  A superb cover, the earliest recorded date of use for the Block Letters issue on cover. A rarity. Signed E.J. Lee. Certificate Moorhouse (2014).
Provenance: Collection ‘Eliçabe’, Collection E.J. Lee, Plumridge, London, 6-16 July 1936, lot 1141, Collection Norman Hubbard

1858 (March), Block Letters 180 c. green, a fine large margined example in a ‘British racing green’ shade, used on 1860 double rate cover endorsed ‘pr. Montevideo’ of the River Plate Line from Montevideo to Buenos Ayres (Armstrong correspondence) tied by oval ‘Admon De Correos / Montevideo’ datestamp (Feb 16) in black.  A superb cover, one of just 5 recorded covers bearing this stamp. A great rarity. Signed E.J. Lee. Certificates Philatelic Foundation (1957), Moorhouse (2014).
Provenance: Collection E.J. Lee (Harmer Rooke, London, 12 Dec. 1941), Collection Norman Hubbard

1859, Thin figures 240 c. vermilion, a fine large margined example with portions of adjoining stamp at left, used in combination with 1860 Thick figures 80 c. yellow in a horizontal pair also with large margins all round, on 1862 double rate cover endorsed ‘per Mississippi’ of the River Plate Line to Buenos Ayres, tied by oval ‘Admon De Correos / Montevideo’ datestamps (March 17) in black.  Slight part of flap missing but a superb cover in the foremost exhibition quality. Signed A. Diena, E.J. Lee. Certificate A. Diena. (Scott 12+14)
Provenance: E.J. Lee (1936), Corinphila sale 116, 28 Oct. 1999, lot 2177
 

1840, Victoria 1 penny black, plate 1B, horizontal strip of 4, KB-KE with variety 'recut side-line, necessitated by burr rub following re-entering - left side', nice deep colour and good to large margins, neatly cancelled by black Maltese Cross. A very fine and most attractive strip. Signed Pröschold BPP and certificate K.-A. Louis BPP (2018) (SG 2)
Provenance: Stanley Gibbons Auctions Frankfurt (1974)

1871, Beautifully hand illustrated cover from the correspondance of Lucy Flora Campbell (later L.F. Don) showing a raven carrying a letter to a tower, franked with 1864, 1 penny rose-red, tied by duplex "ENSTONE SP 2 71" to Torquay. Stamp with small scratch, envelope with reverse flap missing, some minor aging spots and about 10 mm tear at right. A most attractive item

1871, Another beautifully illustrated envelope from the same correspondance with a scene from "The fox and the stork", franked with 1864, 1 penny rose-red, tied by Enstone duplex, to Torquay. A light vertical fold well off the stamp and 2 small marginal tears, not detracting from the beauty of the entire

1859, 'Sherwin' 2 pence deep blue in vertical pair, pos. 3/6, with good to large margins and in nice deep fresh colour, used with target cancel on entire letter to Nantes, France, backstamped "GPO MAURITIUS NO 10 1859", on front red "PAYS ETA. V. SUEZ 6 DEC. 59" and on reverse French transit and arrival marks. A very fine and rare letter, just 4 entires with a pair of the Sherwin issue are recorded. A beautiful and rare letter. Signed Calves, Roumet with opinion (1971) and Alberto Diena with certificate (1971) (SG 40)

1856, Small pearls 5 kopeks dark blue with nice margins on all sides, tied by rare boxed "WILLMANSTRAND 25 OCT 1856" to entire letter to Wiborg. An attractive and rare letter with a beautiful stamp with sole postmark cancellation. 3 signatures in pencil including Alberto Diena and certificate Schwenson BPP (2003)
Provenance: Agaton Fabergé (HR Harmer, 1940)

1856, Small pearls 5 kopeks dark blue in fresh deep shade and with full to very large margins, tied by boxed "LOVISA 20 JUL 1856" to entire letter to Borgå. The stamp with small gum stain in the right margin and the entire slightly unfresh on front. A very attractive and rare letter with sole postmark cancellation. Signed Friedl in pencil, certificates Gummesson (1977 and 1997), Tuori (2003) and Schwenson BPP (2018)
Provenance: A. Fabergé (1940), Kirchner (Corinphila 1978), 'Sibelius' (Corinphila 2003)