379th Auction

GREAT BRITAIN – GREECE: 1862, entire letter from London to Patras, short paid by 2½ d., franked with 1856/62, 1 d. red (2), 4 d. vermilion and 6 d. lilac, all tied by barred "12", and marked "INSUFFICIENTLY PREPAID"; at Trieste taxed with "15" new kreuzer sea postage and in Greece with a total due of "65" lepta (including 20 lepta internal postage), franked with Paris printing 5 l. green and 40 l. lilac and First Athens printing 20 l. blue, all tied by numeral "9" of Patras. One 1 d. affected by horizontal crease, the other one scissors cut at 2 sides, in total some minor transportation marks, otherwise fine. A rare 6 colour franking.

Provenance: Dr. Maurice Friend (Robson Lowe 1982), Michéle Chauvet (Corinphila 2017)

GREAT BRITAIN – GREECE: 1865, unpaid lettersheet from "LONDON MY 1 65" via Aachen and Trieste to Athens, showing on front large blue handstamp"35" (Austrian kreuzer), applied at Aachen, crossed and altered into manuscript "15/15/20". At Athens charged with a total of "170" lepta to be paid by the recipient, franked with 1862/68, 10 lepta and 2 copies 80 lepta, all with full margins and neatly tied by Athens cds.. A very fine and scarce letter.

GREAT BRITAIN – GREECE: 1866, entire letter from "NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE AP 9 66", endorsed "via Belgium & Trieste" to Athens, franked with 2 copies 1865/67, 6 d. lilac, showing on front blue "AUS ENGLAND PER AACHEN FRANCO". 

GREAT BRITAIN (IRELAND) – OTTOMAN EMPIRE: 1856, small size postal stationery envelope 1 penny rose (oxydized) with embossed  issue 1 shilling green, cut to shape, used from "MAGHERA SP 9 1856" to Beirut. The postage ot 13 pence, equal to 11 ¼ silbergroschen,  included 3 silbergroschen each Britisch and GPO share, 1  silbergroschen Belgian transit and 4 ¼  silbergroschen postage beyond Trieste.

GREAT BRITAIN – OTTOMAN EMPIRE: 1871, lettersheet from "NOTTINGHAM MY 9 71", endorsed "via Belgium & Trieste" to Beirut, franked with pair 1865/67, 3 d. rose, showing on front arrival mark of the Austrian PO. One stamp rounded corner, otherwise fine.

SARDINIA – INDIA : 1857, entire letter from Turin to Calcutta, part paid till Alexandria, franked with 1855/63, 40 c. vermilon (2) and 20 c. blue, all with good margins, tied by cds. "TORINO 15 GIU 57". At Alexandria charged with 1 shilling for the conveyance to India, with corresponding "CALCUTTA STEAM LETTER 1857 JUL 31 / Steamer B(earin)g Indian Ds. 8" on reverse. A fine and rare letter.

TUSCANY – TURKISH EMPIRE (CYPRUS): 1857, unpaid entire letter fom Livorno to Cyprus, taxed on front with 9 kreuzer Austro-Italian Postal Union rate and 12 kreuzer sea postage from trieste to Larnaca and showing on front clear double line "LARNACA 1. APR." of the Austrian post.

ITALY - OTTOMAN EMPIRE (ALBANIA):  1869, entire letter  from Venice via Trieste and Antivari to Scutari, franked for the distance to Antivari with  1863, 60 cmi. lilac, tied by dotted "196", in Antivari franked for the remaining way with Turkey 1869, postage due 1 pia., tied by blue all Arabic double circle. Very fine and scarce.

NORWAY - INDIA: 1852, part paid entire letter from Horten to Cochin, sent via Sweden-Hamburg and Trieste, pre-paid with 37 skilling, including 19 skilling to Hamburg and 18 skilling (= "6¼" silbergroschen) German/Austrian postage till Alexandria. In India charged for the remaining way with "9" annas.  The thin paper with some small defects, still fine and very rare; supposed to be the only letter from Norway to India.

POLAND – TURKISH EMPIRE (LEBANON/SYRIA): 1869, cover with original contens from Pilica to Forwarding agent Weber & Co. at Beirut, to be forwarded to Dr. Eugen Prym in Syria; showing on front bilingual despatch mark, straight line "POLOGNE" and Beirut arrival mark.

Eugen Prym (1843 – 1913) was a German orientalist, who specialized in Semitic languages, especially Arabic and Aramaic. He studied comparative linguistics and Oriental languages at the universities of Berlin, Leipzig and Bonn, receiving his doctorate in 1868. From November 1868 he carried out linguistic research for one and a half years in the Middle East with Albert Socin,. 

POLAND – TURKISH EMPIRE (LEBANON/SYRIA): 1869, cover with original contens from Pilica to Beirut, posted in Szczakowa, franked with Austria 1867, 5 kreuzer red and 2 copies 10 kreuzer blue, to be forwarded to Dr. Eugen Prym at Damascus (note on reverse). On front Beirut arrival mark and reverse transit mark of Trieste.

1869, Briefkuvert mit Originalinhalt von Pilica nach Beirut, aufgegeben in Szczakowa, frankiert mit Österreich 1867, 5 Kreuzer rot und 2 Werten 10 Kreuzer blau, zur Weiterleitung an Dr. Eugen Prym in Damaskus (Vermerk auf der Rückseite). Auf der Vorderseite Ankunftsstempel von Beirut und rückseitig Transitstempel von Triest.

POLAND – EGYPT: 1863, envelope, pre-paid with 38 copecks from Lublin via Prussia and Trieste to Cairo, showing on front clear red "AUS POLEN über EISENB.POST-BUR. XI./FRANCO" and on reverse Trieste transit mark and black resp. blue handstamps of Alexandria resp. Cairo POSTA EUROPEA. A very rare cover to an overseas destination.

POLAND – EGYPT: 1868, cover with original contens from Pilica to Cairo, posted in Szczakowa, franked with Austria 1867, 5 kreuzer red and 2 copies 10 kreuzer blue, addressed to be forwarded to Dr. Eugen Prym. On reverse transit marks of Trieste and Alexandria next to arrival mark.

Brief mit Originalinhalt von Pilica nach Kairo, aufgegeben in Szczakowa, frankiert mit Österreich 1867, 5 Kreuzer rot und 2 Werten 10 Kreuzer blau, adressiert zur Weiterleitung an Dr. Eugen Prym. Rückseitig Transitstempel von Triest und Alexandria sowie Ankunftsstempel.

RUSSIA – GREECE: 1866, entire letter from Rostov/Don via Odessa and Trieste to Syros, franked with 1865, 1 kopeck, 3 kopeck and three copies 10 kopecks (one with crease), tied by cds. And single circle "FRANCO". In Greece charged with 140 lepta, franked with 1862, 20 lepta, 40 lepta and 80 lepta with mostly good margins. A fine and rare combination letter. Signed Tseriotis.

SWEDEN – EGYPT: 1866, envelope from Engelholm via Trieste to Alexandria, charged at Trieste with "30/10" kreuzer for the distance to resp. from Trieste. The letter was undeliverable and returned, showing on front boxed "MAI CHIESTA" and on the reverse several transit- and arrival marks. A rare early cover from Sweden to Africa.

SWEDEN – CHINA: 1863, opened out cover from Engelholm via Hamburg, Triest, Alexandria and Hongkong to Shanghai, franked with 1858, 5 oere green, 9 oere violet, 30 oere brown and 3 copies 50 oere lilac. 2 values with creases where applied around the edge of the cover and one 50 oere with some flat perfs, some minor toning. Still a fine and very attractive entire of great rarity. This is the  only recorded fully franked letter from Sweden via Trieste to Asia prior UPU. Certificate Dr. Helena Obermüller-Wilen (2004)

Reference: illustrated in 'Swedish letter rates to foreign destinations 1855-1895'

SWITZERLAND – TURKISH EMPIRE: 1857, unpaid lettersheet with part of contents from St Gallen to Constantinople, showing on front superb strike of rare boxed tax mark "3-5/2-20" for 3 piastres 5 paras Swiss/Postal Union fee and 2 piastres 20 para postage beyond Trieste, to be paid by the recipient.

1857, unbezahlte Briefhülle mit einem Teil des Inhalts von St. Gallen nach Konstantinopel, vorderseitig der seltene Taxstempel "3-5/2-20" für 3 Piaster 5 Paras Schweizer/Postvereins-Gebühr und 2 Piaster 20 Para Porto jenseits von Triest, das vom Empfänger zu bezahlen war.

SWITZERLAND – TURKISH EMPIRE: 1869, lettersheet from Zürich to Trebizonde, franked with 1863, 60 centimes bronce. Although the letter was overfranked by 10 centimes, it was treated as underpaid and marked "AFFR.INSUF"; on the border this was corrected and "40" centimes foreign share noted in red crayon, changed on the German side into "7" kreuzer.

1869, Briefhülle von Zürich nach Trabzon, frankiert mit 1863, 60 Rappen bronze. Obwohl der Brief um 10 Rappen überfrankiert war, wurde er als unterfrankiert behandelt und mit dem Stempel "AFFR.INSUF" versehen; an der Grenze wurde dies korrigiert und "40" Rappen Auslandsanteil in roter Kreide vermerkt, auf der deutschen Seite in "7" Kreuzer geändert.

SWITZERLAND – EGYPT: 1869, entire letter to Cairo, franked with 1862/81, 20 centimes orange and 30 centimes blue, tied by straight-line "NEUKIRCH" and additional Bürglen cds., sent via Vienna,  Trieste and Alexandria, here additionally franked with Egypt 1867, 1 piastre red, tied by cds. "POSTE EGIZIANE ALESSANDRIA 12 NOV.69 3T." The 30 centimes affected by not disturbing vertical filing crease, otherwise fine and fresh. A very rare combination franking, just one further letter recorded from Switzerland. Certificate Rellstab (1990)

1869, kompletter Faltbrief nach Kairo, frankiert mit 1862/81, 20 Rappen orange und 30 Rappen blau, entwertet mit L1 "NEUKIRCH" und zusätzlichem Ortsstempel von Bürglen, versandt über Wien, Triest und Alexandria, hier zusätzlich frankiert mit Ägypten 1867, 1 Piaster rot, mit Stempel. "POSTE EGIZIANE ALESSANDRIA 12 NOV.69 3T." Die 30 Centimes mit nicht störendem senkrechtem Briefbug, sonst gute und frische Erhaltung. Eine sehr seltene Kombinationsfrankatur; es ist nur ein weiterer ähnlicher Brief aus der Schweiz registriert. Fotoattest Rellstab (1990)

SWITZERLAND – STRAITS SETTLEMENTS: 1870, entire letter from Zürich to Singapore, franked with 1862/67, 5 c. brown, 10 c. rose and two copies 50 c. lilac, tied by cds. "ZÜRICH 30.IX.70"; on reverse transit mark of Vienna and arrival mark. On the front noted "1.03" Swiss franks in blue for the Austrian share and "25" new kreuzer in the red for the British share.  One 50 c. somewhat rounded corner, where applied at the edge of the entire, otherwise very fine and fresh. A rare letter. This route was the most expensive at that time, but most likely chosen due to the German-French War. Certificates Renggli (1996) and Eichele (1999)

1870, kompletter Faltbrief von Zürich nach Singapur, frankiert mit 1862/67, 5 C. braun, 10 C. rosa und zwei Stück 50 C. lila, mit EKr. "ZÜRICH 30.IX.70"; rückseitig Transitstempel von Wien und Ankunftsstempel. Auf der Vorderseite notierte "1.03" Schweizer Franken in blau für den österreichischen Anteil und "25" neue Kreuzer in rot für den britischen Anteil.  Eine 50 C. etwas abgerundete Ecke durch Randklebung, sonst sehr schöne und frische Erhaltung. Ein seltener Brief. Dieser leitweg war damals der teuerste, wurde aber wahrscheinlich wegen des Deutsch-Französischen Krieges gewählt. Fotoatteste Renggli (1996) und Eichele (1999)

GREECE – AUSTRIA: 1836, entire letter from Syra via Athens to Trieste, prepaid with 90 lepta, noted on reverse. On front oval greek "PAID" and boxed "GREECE".

GREECE – RUSSIA: 1862, entire fully franked letter from Patras via Trieste and Brody to Taganrog, franked with 1862/71, 20 lepta blue, 40 lepta lilac and 80 lepta rose, all with mostly good margins. The letter is correctly franked with 20 lepta Greek inland postage and 120 lepta foreign share, consisting of 15 Austrian nkr. Sea postage to Trieste, 15 nkr. conveyance from Trieste to Brody and 10 nkr. Russian postage. A fine and scarce letter to abroad.

TURKISH EMPIRE – AUSTRIA: 1868, entire letter from Constantinople to Vienna, franked with 1867, 25 soldi grey lilac. Stamp with light horizontal bend, otherwise fine. A scarce single franking. Opinion Dr. Ferchenbauer (1991)

1869, entire unpaid letter from "SMIRNE 18/12 69" to Trieste, showing on front clear blue "THE ASIA MINOR SCREW STEAMSHIP Co. SMYRNA AGENCY", taxed upon arrival with "20" kreuzer, to be paid by the recipient

TURKISH EMPIRE-BELGIUM, 1824, Unpaid entire letter from Smyrna via Constantinople forwarding agent Tanoni, with straight line "TURQUIA" to Verviers, showing on reverse clear disinfection seal "NETTO DI FUORA E SPORCO DI DENTRO" (Meyer main type A) and black "Duitschland over Henri Chapelle" . Upon arrival a total of "12" decimes charged to the recipient.

TURKISH EMPIRE - BELGIUM: 1860, unpaid  letter (part contense) with frontside manuscript notation "TREBIZONDE le 3 April 1860" to Turnhout with Austrian postage due marking "20/15" with adjacent "7" (silbergroschen) of Trieste. In Belgium charged with a total of "11" decimes. Early letters of this post office, especially to Western Europe, are rare.

TURKISH EMPIRE - FRANCE: 1869, envelope from Constantinople via Trieste to  Marseille, franked with 1864, 15 soldi brown in combination with 1867, 25 soldi brownish lilac, tied by cds. "CONSTANTINOPEL 23/3"; transit mark of Trieste and French arrival marks. 25 soldi few perfs with bends, otherwise fine and fresh. An attractive cover with a rare mixed franking. Certificate Enzo Diena (1986).

TURKISH EMPIRE - NETHERLANDS: 1857, unpaid letter (contense: transport of opium by French ships to the Netherlands) from Smyrne to Amsterdam, showing on front boxed "7¼" (silbergroschen), charged in Amsterdam with a total of "55" cents.

TURKISH EMPIRE – THURN & TAXIS: 1866, cover from Constantinople to Gera, franked with 1864, 15 soldi brown and four copies 5 soldi rose, all fresh and well perforated (one 5 soldi tiny flat perfs, where applied at the edge of the entire), tied by single-circle "CONSTANTINOPEL 8/12". An attractive cover with scarce franking of 20 soldi Levante postage and 15 soldi for the 3rd distance in the Postal Union. Photo certificate Enzo Diena (1990)

1866, Briefhülle von Konstantinopel nach Gera, frankiert mit 1864,15 Soldi braun und vier Stück fünf Soldi rosa, alle farbfrisch und gut gezähnt (ein Wert durch Randklebung in der Zähnung minimal bestoßen), entwertet mit Einkreisstempel "CONSTANTINOPEL 8/12". Ein attraktiver Brief mit seltener Vorläufer-Frankatur, portogerecht frankiert mit 20 Soldi Levante-Porto und 15 Soldi für die 3. Entfernungsstufe im Postverein. Fotoattest Enzo Diena (1990)

TURKISH EMPIRE (AGEAN ISLANDS) – AUSTRIA: 1856, prepaid lettersheet with blue single circle "TENEDOS 14/8" and adjacent straight-line "FRANCO" to Trieste

TURKISH EMPIRE(CRETE) – UNITED STATES: 1863, envelope, prepaid with 80 soldi from "CANEA 28. LUG." with adjacent "FRANCA"  (both in blue), to Pittsburgh, N.Y. with transit marks of Trieste the and Aachen and frontside "N.YORK AM.PKT. 28 PAID".

TURKISH EMPIRE – AUSTRIA: 1868, lettersheet franked with 1864, 15 soldi brown with central double line handstamp "RHODUS MAR.5" and additionally tied in transit by small single circle "SMIRNE 13/3 68", to Trieste. On reverse transit mark "LLOYD AGENZIE SMIRNE" and arrival mark. A fine entire with late use of the 1864 issue.

TURKISH EMPIRE (MACEDONIA) – AUSTRIA: 1864, entire letter, franked with 2 copies 1863, 15 soldi brown and 1864, 5 soldi rose, tied by blue double line "SERRES AGO. 23", to Vienna. A very fine and rare letter; there are just few entires recorded with the blue double line postmark cancelling stamps.

TURKISH EMPIRE (LEBANON) – UNITED STATES: 1869, cover from "BEIRUTTI 30/3" via Trieste to New York, franked with 4 copies 1867, 10 soldi blue; very fine and scarce.

EGYPT - Saxony: 1868, envelope franked with 1867, 1 pia. red, tied by cds. "POSTE VICE-REALI EGEZIANE CAIRO 6 NOV. 68" and additional Austrian Levante forerunner 1864, 15 kr. tied by cds. "ALEXANDRIA 7/11" to Leipzig with transit- and arrival marks. Small part of reverse flap missing, otherwise very fine and fresh. A rare combination cover. Certificate Prof. Ferchenbauer AIEP (2004)

EGYPT (AUSTRIAN POST) – AUSTRIA: 1864, entire letter from Alexandria to Trieste, franked with Austria 1864, 2 Soldi yellow, 3 soldi green and 10 soldi blue, tied by clear single circle "ALEXANDRIEN 14/7". The cover slightly cleaned and few small perforations faults, otherwise fine. A very attractive and extremely rare 3 colour franking. Signed Enzo Diena with certificate (1991)