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Lot# 1274 - Auction 250-256

  • Lot# : 1274 French Levant

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    Smyrne 1857 (Feb. 7): Entire letter from Smyrna to Lyon, franked with Napoléon imperforated 10 c. bistre type I and vertical pair of 20 c. blue type I, the lower stamp showing variety 'POSTFS' (Yvert 14Ah/Maury 14/Ik), tied by type 15 circular datestamp "SMYRNE TURQUIE 7 FEVR. 57", framed "P.P." alongside, reverse with Marseille and Marseille-Lyon Special TPO as well as Lyon arrival cds's (Feb. 12). The 10c. stamp is touched at base, the cancellation applied six times on three stamps, but a very early usage of stamps in this case with a variety; cert. von der Weid (1986).rnNote: Usage of stamps in French Levant offices in general is known from the beginning of 1857. In Smyrna, the usage of stamps is known from February 1857 making this item a very early usage. The stamps were obliterated in Smyrna between February and Mai with the datestamp not with the Petits Chiffres numeral '3709' of the Bureau de recette. This could be due to the lack of the numeral obliterator which would also explain the heavy cancellation of the stamps on this item.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 300 CHF