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Lot# 3072 - Auction 291-297

  • Lot# : 3072 Austrian Levant

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    Syria, Austrian Lloyd Agency in Aleppo 1855: Entire letter from Aleppo to London, endorsed "Voie de Trieste", struck with superb and extremely rare bilingual Arabic "L + A / An canib-i posta Haleb Nemce 1855" (Lloyd Austriaco From the Austrian Post in Aleppo 1855) handstamp (Müller 2024a = 1'400 points / Tranmer fig. 1) in blue with framed "P.P." in blue alongside, partially prepaid with 'K 12' up to Triest, noted on reverse. Prussia noted '3' (Silbergroschen), the receiver had to pay '8' (Pence), noted on obverse. Reverse with London arrival (Nov 5, 1855) cds. Cover with vertical file fold not affecting the postmark, an impressive and appealing entire. Signed Nakri AIEP; cert. Puschmann (2000).rnrnNote: This is the only bilingual Austrian Levant postmark - a rarity only in use from 1855/56. Ing. Edwin Müller (1960) knew only two items with this cancellation in black, a number not changed until 1976, when Keith Tranmer published his study on this subject (see collection 'Monte Napoleone', Corinphila sale 78, Sept. 1988, lot 895; collection 'Cihangir', Corinphila sale 121, May 2000, lot 1929). Keith Tranmer stated that this handstamp was used only as an arrival mark, however five outgoing covers including the present one are known to the describer, all struck in 1855/56 in blue or blackish blue and all being part of the same Dahlah correspondence, sent via Trieste or intended to be sent via Trieste to London, where this postmark clearly functioned as a temporary despatch postmark (see Collection Franz See, Corinphila sale 62, May 1979, lot 2423; Collection 'Cihangir', Corinphila sale 121, May 2000, lot 1994; Collection Arsman, DF sale, May 2005), lot 20206; Collection Werner Schindler, Corinphila sale 255, Sept 2020, lot 7548; this entire ex Cihangir).rnProvenance: Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 124 (Oct 2000), lot 5756.
    Starting bid : 2,000.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 4,400.00 CHF