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Lot# 5446 - Auction 257-264

  • Lot# : 5446 India

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    1862 (Dec 22): Unpaid cover from Calcutta to St. Petersburg, endorsed  with "VIA SUEZ & FRANCE" handstamp in blue, duplex '1' and "CALCUTTA INDIA UNPAID DE 22 62" datestamp on base as well  French entry "POSS. ANG. V. SUEZ 25 JANV. 63 MARSEILLE" cds in red  and rare "F. / 38" postal treaty handstamp in black alongside. reverse shows part strike of Aachen transit cds in red. Taxed upon arrival, a scarce and most attractive cover.rnNote: The cover was addressed to Heinrich Schliemann (1822-1890), who was in 1862 a very wealthy merchant of German origin in St. Petersburg who has made a fortune during the Crimean War. In 1864 he left this business learned the classical languages of the Mediterranean - it is told that he learned Turkish during a three week long visitit in Constantinople. He became a pioneer in the field of archaeology. He was an advocate of the historicity of places mentioned in the works of Homer and an archaeological excavator of Hisarlik, now presumed to be the site of Troy, along with the Mycenaean sites Mycenae and Tiryns. His work lent weight to the idea that Homer's Iliad reflects historical events. 
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,200 CHF