376th Auction

1865, Steamer and Eagle 2 piastre, three singles, mostly good margins, only one stamp touched at left, all tied by blue indistinct Smyrna cds. to folded lettersheet to Mersina, right stamp affected by vertical filing crease, a trifle stained, otherwise fine, an attractive and scarce cover, signed Alberto Diena and Holcombe with certificate (1993) Provenance:  The Agathon Fabergé Collection (Harmer's of Bond Street, 1940, lot 194)                       The Julius Steindler Collection "Shipping Companies stamps" (Robson Lowe 1972)

The "Admiralty" stamp with manuscript "1 ½", good margins all around with large part of adjoining stamp at bottom, used on folded lettersheet from Constantinople to Broussa with oval "CONSTANTINOPOLI * POSTA DEI PIROSCAFI OTTOMANI P.P" alongside, a fine and attractive cover, certificate du Vachat (2009) Provenance: The Pasha Collection of Islamic Stamps and Postal History (Spink 2011)                      depicted in S. Ringstrom and H.E. Tester "The Private Ship Letter Stamps of the World - Part 2" page 118  

The "Admiralty" stamp with manuscript "3" amended in red crayon to "2", somewhat irregularly cut with part of adjoining stamp at top, on folded lettersheet dated July 4. 1860 from Constantinople to Brousse with "P.P." anchor canceller alongside, minor ageing on reverse, a fine and attractive entire, certificate Scheller (2009)