388th Auction

ITALY CAMPAIGN: 1859, folded lettersheet to Alexandria, Egypt, written in Triest and transmitted via forwarding agent to France (instead of the Austrian Lloyd, the eastern postal route being severed due to the military operations), franked at the triple rate with Napoleon 10 c., 20c. 40 c. and 80 c. (cut in) all tied with PC “1896” (Marseilles) and handed over to the ship “Simois” from the Messageries Impériales, reverse arrival cds. “ALEXANDRIE EGYPTE 22 MAI 59”. Interesting text in Italian “the departure of Austrian steamships is prohibited … my correspondence, having to take indirect routes, will arrive late and irregularly”; some minor transportation traces and a vertical archival fold away from the adhesives, fine and rare. A delightful item and poignant testimony to the Risorgimento vicissitudes

Alexandretta: 1869, entire letter to Marseilles, franked on reverse with Turkey 1868 Duloz 20 pa. green and 1 pi. yellow, perf. 13¼, tied by Arabic framed “Haleb” in blue, mailed through the French P.O. in Alexandrette with 1862 Napoléon laureated 20 c. blue, two singles including one with plate flaw “Napoleon with horn”, tied by faint GC “5079” with adjacent red framed “PAQUEBOT DE LA MEDITERRANEE”, on reverse Smyrna French P.O. transit and Marseilles arrival (August 15) cds. The adhesives with negligible faults, still fine and scarce combination usage opened out for display, probably unique with the plate variety, signed Calves

1879, 25 c. black on red rose tied to envelope by CONSTANTINOPLE GALATA 29/OCT/79, bilingual cds., adressed to Aleppo, on reverse french blue transit mark ALEXANDRETTE SYRIA. Turkey 20 para green and 1 piastre yellow 1876 issue tied by all arabic POSTAHANE-I HALEP 1278 (with crescent, A&P #3) on reverse, tiny crease, fine and attractive, vertificate du Vachat (2010).

"GALATZ MOLDAVIE .. NOV 61", blue dotted c.d.s. on entire letter to Syros, charged with 80 lepta, paid by 1861, Paris printing, 80 l. rose with good to large margins, tied by no. "67". The very thin stationary paper with some ink corrosion, backed by hinges, otherwise very fine. A rare combination letter.

"GALATZ MOLDAVIE 18 JUIL 72", blue dotted c.d.s. as arrival mark on reverse of lettersheet from Varna, franked with Napoleon lauré 40 c., tied by blue GC "5103". Fine and scarce. Signed Todd.

"GALATZ MOLDAVIE 20 AVRIL 72", blue dotted c.d.s. on unpaid lettersheet to Constantinopel

GALATZ: "5085", GC in blue, clear on horizontal pair and 2 singles Napoleon perforated 10 c. bistre, on letter sheet with adjacent blue dotted c.d.s. "GALATZ MOLDAVIE 27 JUIL 67" to Constantinopel. The pair affixed with horizontal crease and one single stamp with small corner fault, still fine and attractive. A rare multiple franking for the single rate.

GALATZ: "5085", GC in blue, on Napoleon perforated 10 c. bistre, 20 c. blue, 40 c. orange and 80 c. carmine, on entire letter, written in Ibraila, with adjacent blue dotted c.d.s. "GALATZ MOLDAVIE 17 MARS 66" via Constantinopel to Athens. 80 c. with small corner fault (backed) and 40 c. light corner crease, otherwise fine and attractive. A rare colour franking.

"IBRAILA VALACHIE 6 MAI 58", dotted c.d.s. in black, as arrival mark on lettersheet (two side flaps missing) from Athens, endorsed 'Via Constantinopoli', to Ibraila, taxed with "5" decimes.

IBRAILA: "4009", PC, clear strike on small piece with 1853/54, Napoleon 10 c. and 40 c.

IBRAILA: "5087", GC in blackish blue, clear on Napoleon perforated 10 c. bistre and 40 c. orange, on letter sheet (2 side flaps missing) with adjacent blue dotted c.d.s. "IBRAILA 26 NOV 65", to Athens, with transit and arrival marks. Little stained, otherwise fine. A rare letter.

IBRAILA: "5087", GC in blue, clear on pair Napoleon perforated 40 c. orange, on letter sheet with adjacent blue dotted c.d.s. "IBRAILA 3 SEPT 64", to Athens, charged with 50 lepta, paid by 1862/68, 10 l. orange and 40 l. lilac, tied by Athens c.d.s. The French stamps somewhat oxidised and one defective, otherwise fine and fresh. A rare franking.

IBRAILA: "5087", GC in blue, clear on 2 pairs Napoleon lauré 10 c. bistre, on letter sheet without dispatch mark to Athens, with transit and arrival marks. One stamp with small faults, where applied over the edge of the entire, otherwise fine. A very scarce cover.

KUSTENDJE: "5139", GC in blue, clear and central on Napoleon lauré 40 c. orange. Light horizontal crease. Signed Calves

SULINA: "5099", GC in blue, clear on Napoleon lauré 40 c. orange, light bend
 

TULCEA: "5102", GC in blue, clear and central strikes on Napoleon perforated 10 c., 20 c. and 40 c. Small faults, 40 c. re-perforated.

1843, entire folded letter from “SMYRNE 4.Fevr.1843”, boxed “P.P.' in black alongside, sent to Constantinople with arrival cds. and rate ”8" décimes on reverse, fine and scarce origin.