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Lot# 7588 - Auction 250-256

  • Lot# : 7588 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V22
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    Austrian Levant Rates 1866 (Feb 15): Entire letter from Janina to Vienna, franked with 1864 Arms 10 s. blue in a block of four, perf. 9½, a fine and fresh multiple, cancelled by "JANINA 15 / 2" cds's in black (Tchilingirian fig. 509). Reverse with Vienna arrival cds (Feb 25). Some perforation irregularities, but an attractive cover with this special rate. Illustrated in 'Die Österreichische Post in der Levante' on page 273 and in the Ferchenbauer handbook part IV on page 575. Signed G. Bolaffi, Raybaudi. Cert. E. Diena (1991).rnNote: In contrast to the other Lloyd post offices in Epirus, there was a higher rate for mail to or from Janina. Mail from there had to be transported by messenger to the harbour of Prevesa. Thus up to the end of 1865, the total rate of 40 s. included 10 s. for the messenger service, 15 s. for the Lloyd shipmail service and in this case 15 s. for the third rayon within Austria. On January 1, 1866 the Austrian inland rates were unified to 5 kreuzer and the postage should have been 30 soldi (10+15+5) for this cover. Presumably the sender was not aware of this change.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,600 CHF