364 / März 2017

1872: Cover from Hamburg to Soerabaja, Netherlands Indies (Steudemann correspondence) with 1872 Small Shield 1/4 gr. violet, 1/2 gr. orange-red, 1 gr. carmine and 5 gr. ochre-brown in a horizontal pair all tied by HAMBURG datestamps (Feb 21) in black. Red framed 'P.D.' below and manuscript '83 c.' (centesemi) credit in red crayon. Reverse with Verona cds (Feb 24), part Brindisi cds, SINGAPORE transit (March 25) in black and Soerabaja arrival (April 3) cds in red with '20' Neths Indies due in manuscript on front. 2 stamps with small faults, otherwise a splendid and most attractive four colour franking to an exotic destination for the first issue. Cert. Krug (2016). Albert Steudemann (1842-unknown) was a German pharmacist. On his second trip to the Far East he settled down in Soerabaja, soon got a wealthy person. When he was older he returned back to Germany and was dedicated in many charity actions. Furthermore Steudemann was a passionate 'Skat' card player and donated a fountain in Altenburg 1897, called 'Skatbrunnen'.