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Lot# 3588 - Auction 291-297

  • Lot# : 3588 Italian Post abroad

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    Italian Post in Alexandria - Egypt, Usage of Levante Emissioni generali adhesives 1875 (May 13): Double rate Mourning envelope from Beyrouth via Alexandria to Firenze, bearing Great Britain 4 d. vermillion (Gi Z13), tied by 'G06' obliterator with "BRITISH POST OFFICE BEYROUT" despatch cds alongside. Upon arrival in Alexandria, a transit cds of the British P.O. (May 16) was struck on the reverse and the cover was forwarded to the Italian P.O., where a pair of Italian Levant Torino printing with ESTERO ovpt 40 c. carmine (Sassone 7a) was added to the front which was tied by indistinct '234' numeral obliterator in black, "ALESSANDRIA D'EGITTO / POSTE ITALIANE 16 MAG. 75" cds at right. Reverse with FIRENZE (May 21) arrival cds and distribution cachets. A most interesting, attractive and rare combination franking of British and Italian adhesives in their respective offices abroad, where each stamp was necessary to pay the journey from Beyrouth to Alexandria and from Alexandria onwards, respectively. A gem, cert. E. Diena (1985) Zanaria & colleagues 0,80 A = € 19'000.rnNote: Between October 1873 and September 1875, a total of 18 covers is known despatched at the British P.O. in Beyrouth and franked at the Italian and French P.O.'s with the respective adhesives for the onward journey to Western Europe. The administrative basis of this combination franking, even after the foundation of the GPU, is not clear.rnReference: These combination frankings are described in Zanaria & colleagues on pages 274-277.
    Starting bid : 2,000.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 4,200.00 CHF