385th Auction

1862, Tughra, 5pi black on brown rose proof on thick paper, vertical pair, typical margins, the lower impression with trivial horizontal bend, else fresh and very fine, ex Alanyali, “Sultan.”

1862, Tughra, proof for the third issue on thin paper, block of four, partially cut through central vertical margin, hinge reinforced near top, various small imperfections, but a fine appearing and scarce multiple, ex Alanyali, “Sultan”

1862, Tughra, 5pi black on rose proofs, group of eight singles in a range of shades from light to dark, with further variations in paper, one example showing control band at top, only known on proofs of this denomination, usual flaws, scarce, ex “Sultan”.

1862, Tughra, 5pi black on rose proof on thin paper, vertical pair, displaying the “beser” variety, fine and scarce, ex “Sultan”.

1862, Tughra, 2pi black on blue, First Printing on thin paper, an unused right-marginal single with red control band at foot, part original gum, light horizontal bend near top typical of this delicate paper, else fine, ex “Sultan”.

1862, Tughra, First Printing, 2pi black on thin deep blue paper, unused, original gum, uncommonly large margins all around, scarce and very fine. (Isf 1)

1862, Tughra First Printing, 2pi black on thin deep blue paper, unused, without gum, red control band at foot,  good colour, fine. (Isf 1)

1862, Tughra First Printing, 5pi black on thin rose paper, bottom marginal single, unused, with small part original gum, fine. (Isf 2)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 20pa black on yellow, tete-beche block of six, unused, with part original gum, hinge remnants, showing control band trial printings in both red and green, an exceptional and rare multiple with tremendous visual appeal, fine; ex Alanyali and “Sultan”. 

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 20pa black on yellow, tete-beche block of four with red control bands, generous margins, a lovely and scarce showpiece, very fine, ex “Sultan”. (Isf 3 TB02).

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 20pa black on yellow, head-to-head tete-beche block of twelve, with red control band at top and bottom, unused, with part original gum, folded along central row and column, with hinge reinforcement of minor separation, a few other small imperfections, but a remarkable block, of tremendous visual appeal, and a dramatic showpiece, ex “Sultan.”  (Isf 3 TB02)

1863, Tughra, 20pa black on yellow, head-to-head right marginal tete-beche pair, with control bands in red, large margins on all sides, neatly-struck black battal cancel, very fine, ex "Sultan".  (Isf 3 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 20pa black on yellow, right vertical sheet margin tete-beche pair, control bands in red, large to very large margins, cancelled with blue battal, a few light creases, otherwise fine and scarce, ex “Sultan”. (Isf 3 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 20pa black on yellow, head-to-head tete-beche block of four, large even margins all around, with control bands in red, cancelled by neatly-struck blue battal, a very fine and scarce multiple, ex “Sultan”. (Isf 3 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 20pa black on yellow horizontal pair and 2pi black on blue, each with control bands at foot and tied to cover to Constantinople by blue battal cancels, wax seal cut from reverse, else a fine cover, ex Alanyali, “Sultan”. (Ifs 3, 5)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, small group comprising 20pa yellow left margin single, part original gum, used left-marginal horizontal pair with control bar at foot, and part original gum tete-beche pair; 5k rose used tete-beche pair, and 5k Postage Due pair, various flaws, some discoloration, wrinkles, etc, but a challenging group of mostly very good appearance.

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 20pa black on yellow, irregular head-to-head tete-beche block of five, red control band at top and foot, unused, with part original gum, large to very large margins on all sides including sheet margin at right, a few typical light creases common for this delicate paper, black arrow indicating frameline break adhered to block, else a fine and scarce multiple, ex “Sultan”. (Isf 3 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 20pa black on yellow, head-to-head tete-beche block of four, red control bands, unused, without gum, large even margins, upper left stamp with pre-printing paper fold, a scarce multiple, ex “Sultan.”  (Isf 3 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 2pi black on blue, head-to-head tete-beche block of four, with red control bands, mostly large to very large margins including partial left sheet margin, cancelled with black battal, light horizontal crease through lower pair, else fine. (Ifs 5 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 2pi black on grey, foot-to-foot tete-beche block of four, with red control band, margins large to clear, bold cancellation in black, a fine and scarce multiple, ex “Sultan”.  (Ifs 4 TB01)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 2pi black on blue, horizontal strip of five, with red control band at foot, large margins on three sides, clear of orbs at right, used with multiple strikes of black battal cancel, remarkably sound for a multiple of this delicate paper, a very fine and striking showpiece, ex “Sultan”. (Ifs 5). 

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 2pi black on blue, upper sheet margin horizontal strip of three, large to very large margins on all sides, with red control band at foot, tied to small piece by blue battal cancel, very fine, an exceptional and rare showpiece, ex “Sultan”.  (Isf 5)

Provenance: 264. Heinrich Köhler-Auction (1989)

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 5pi black on rose, head-to-head tete-beche block of four, unused, with part original gum, ample to large margins, green control bands, unusual as such, multiple hinge remnants including two reinforcing vertical scissor-cuts along central margin at top and foot, tear at bottom left, yet a rare block of otherwise fine appearance, ex “Sultan.” (Ifs 6TB 02).

1863, Tughra, Second Printing on thin paper, 5pi black on rose,  horizontal strip of four, large balanced margins all around, with uncommon blue control band at foot, a very fine and rare used multiple, ex “Sultan”. (Ifs 6)

5 pi black on thin rose paper, three unused tete-beche pairs, part original gum, with one example each without control band but with pre-printing paper fold, red control band, and yellow control band, mostly large margins all around, the example with yellow control band close but clear at left, small imperfections common to this delicate paper, an otherwise fine and scarce trio. (Isf 6)

1863, Tughra, Third Printing on thick paper, 20pa black on yellow, head-to-head tete-beche block of four, red control bands at top and foot, ample to large margins all around, pleasing deep colour, thins, but of very fine apperance, a rare multiple, ex “Sultan”. (Isf 19 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Third Issue on thick paper, 20pa black on yellow, horizontal strip of four with red control band at foot, large margins at top and bottom, otherwise ample to clear, cancelled with multiple strikes of blue battal, a few small flaws, corner crease at lower right, else fine, a scarce strip, signed Calves, ex “Sultan.” (Isf 19)

1863, Tughra, Third Printing on thick paper, 20pa black & yellow, used horizontal strip of five, mostly clear to large margins, touched at lower right, red control band at foot, tied to piece by dot & line cancellation in black, right-most stamp with corner thin, an otherwise fine and scarce used multiple, ex Ferrari, “Sultan.” (Isf 20)

1864, Tughra, Third Printing, 20pa and 1pi singles, each with ample to large margins on three sides, close to into on fourth, tied to folded cover from Beirut to Damascus, filing folds, one crossing 1pi adhesive, else a fine first-issue franking.

1863, Tughra, Third Printing on thick paper, 1pi black on pale grey, head to head tete-beche block of four, red control bands at top and foot, unused, with part original gum, large to very large margins on three sides, close to ample at left, a scarce multiple, ex “Sultan”. (Isf 20 TB02). 

1863, Tughra, Third Printing on thick paper, 1pi black on grey, head to head tete-beche right sheet marginal block of four, unused, part original gum, with red control bands at top and foot, large to very large margins on all sides, light diagonal crease and some light stains mostly confined to lower right, yet a scarce showpiece, ex “Sultan.” (Isf 20 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Third Printing on thick paper, 1pi black on grey head to head tete-beche pair, red control bands, large margins all around, neatly-cancelled with blue battal, various thins and imperfections but of fine appearance, ex “Sultan”. (Isf 20 TB02)

1863, Tughra, Third Printing on thick paper, 1pi black on grey, head to head tete-beche block of four, with red control bands, large margins on all sides, used with multiples strikes of black battal cancel, a few creases, upper right stamp with thin, yet a scarce used multiple of fine appearance, handstamped Thier, ex “Sultan.” (Isf 20 TB02)

1864, Tughra, Third Printing, 1pi black, with red control band at foot, good to large margins on two sides, cut into frameline at upper left, tied by blue rectangular battal postmark to folded cover from Beirut to Damascus, light filing folds and some toning, yet a scarce franking, signed Sismondo, with his 2004 certificate.

1864, Tughra, Third Printing on thick paper, 1pi grey-lilac, large margins at left and foot, otherwise touching to slightly into frameline, tied to folded cover from Beirut to Damascus by dotted blue handstamp, fresh and fine. (Isf 20)

1865, Star & Crescent (Duloz) Type, group of imperforate trial colour proofs on thick paper, all horizontal pairs with ample to large margins, save for the 20pa value which is in a block of eight on thin pink paper, a few with small stains or ink marks, the 5k with vertical crease through central margin, else fine.