tradition and experience in classic philately since 1919

Malta

British Post Offices Abroad - The 'Dubois' Collection
list | gallery
Sort list :

  • Lot# : 5734 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share

    1854 (May 11): Great Britain 1841 1 d. red-brown imperforate, Alphabet II, lettered FB, margins at top and at base, used on 1854 cover from Malta to Dublin, Ireland endorsed 'via Marseilles', tied by double arc "MALTA" datestamp in black with reverse showing London (May 24) and Dublin transits in red and 'Kingstown' arrival (May 25) in black. Cover endorsed at lower left 'R.E.' - the sender being Lieutenant Richard Fitzrichard Eyre, grandson of Baron Eyre of Ireland, he was in the 44th Regiment and died of Cholera in the Crimea. An extraordinary and unique usage - no imperforates are recorded used in Malta by Stanley Gibbons - the cover was most probably accepted as a Soldier's or Sailor's Letter at the concessionary 1 penny rate. Reportedly "the earliest G.G. 'Used Abroad' cover where the Office came under the direct control of the GPO in London" - Parmenter, page 1/14. Extremely rare.rnrnProvenance: Collection H.S. Damsell, RL, London, 16 Nov 1955, lot 26, Collection H.A. Cann, Harmers, London, 15 June 1970, lot 1, Collection Louis Frank, RL, Basel, 18 Oct 1972, lot 1042.
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 10,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5735 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1 / 1
    1856 (March 21): Great Britain Embossed 6 d. violet, a cut-round example used on 1856 cover from Malta to Lady Cochrane in Gibraltar, endorsed 'via Marseilles and England', cancelled solely by double arc "MALTA" datestamp in black (March 21). The envelope trimmed at right but of great rarity. Cert. RPSL (1947) Gi = £ 4'500 off cover.rnProvenance: Collection H.S. Damsell,RL, London, 16 Nov 1955, lot 27.
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5736 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1856 (Feb): Great Britain 1855 1 d. red-brown, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 14, lettered KI, a single example with misplaced perforations and imperforate at top, tied by good strike of the Malta "Wavy Lines" handstamp applied at Valletta in black to Sailor's concessionary rate cover to Chatham, Kent endorsed at top "From George Francis, Seaman / HMS Viper, Malta" and countersigned by his Commanding Officer "H.R.Harris" below; the reverse with London cds (March 6) and double arc Chatham arrival (March 7) struck in blue. Rare and fine.rnProvenance: Collection Col. J.R. Danson, RL, London, 30 June 1971, lot 1180; Collection 'De Boer', Corinphila sale 100, June 1997, lot 4737.rn 
    Starting bid : 3,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 4,200 CHF

    Lot# : 5737 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1855 (April 29): Great Britain 1855, 1 d. red stars, Die II, wmk. Small Crown, perf. 14, plate 5; the astonishing cover to Dr. Loch in Calcutta with no less than eleven examples (lettered CB-CE, MF, NB-ND, NE, NF and OF) all tied by eleven strikes of the Malta "Wavy Lines" handstamp applied in transit at Valletta in black. The reverse with double arc MALTA unclear datestamp, 'Alexandria' British Post Office double arc cds in blue (June 3) and framed "CALCUTTA / STEAMER LETTER / Bearing" (charge 8 annas) of arrival (June 30) and manuscript 'Rec'd July 8/55 Nongong'. The letter fully paid 5d. to Malta and 6d. to Alexandria. Typical creases commensurate to journey and handling with complete contents written from The Palace Hospital, Scutari, Constantinople written by Dr. F. de Chaumont to his medical colleague describing conditions in the Crimea and the various treatments being used to combat the range of diseases and in particular a wound inflicted on one patient at the Battle of Inkerman. Illustrated in Parmenter & Gordon on page 1/12. A great Postal History rarity and a unique franking.rnProvenance: RL, London, 10 June 1970, lot 1413; Collection André Bollen, Köhler, Wiesbaden, 8 Feb 1983, lot 60.
    Starting bid : 10,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 18,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5738 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1 / 1
    1855 (April 24): Great Britain 1847 Embossed 1 s. green, a single example with large margins all round tied by the finest known strike of the Malta "Wavy Lines" handstamp applied at Valletta in black to blue envelope with Crest on reverse of the Coldstream Guards, endorsed 'via Marseilles' and mailed to Rugeley, Staffordshire with green double arc arrival cds below (April 30). Carried by British Packet at rate of 1 s. for a letter under ½ ounce. Reverse with double arc MALTA despatch cds (April 24) in black and London transit cds in red. Illustrated in colour plate (xiii) in "Malta -The Postal History & Postage Stamps 1576-1960". An iconic and truly magnificent cover of great aesthetic appeal and rarity. Unique. Cert. J. Robineau & V. Pothion.rnProvenance: Collection Grant Glassco, RL, London, 25-27 Nov 1969, lot 1179; Collection Louis Frank, RL, Basel, 18 Oct 1972, lot 1043; Collection Dubus, Druout, Paris, 6-7 Oct 1988, lot 178.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 25,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 46,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5739 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1858 (June 22): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red-brown, perf. 14 used with 1856 6 d. lilac tied to 1858 cover  with complete contents from Malta to London (Fanshawe correspondence) via Marseilles (paying the under ¼ ounce rate), tied by four strikes of the "M" obliterator. Reverse with single ring 'Malta' cds in red (June 26) of despatch. Minor imperfections but an attractive usage.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 400 CHF

    Lot# : 5740 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1858 (April 19): Great Britain 1 d. red star, perf. 14 used on 1858 Soldier's concessionary rate letter from Malta to the Military Barracks near Sydney, New South Wales, tied by "M" obliterator in black, endorsed "From No.4164, William Shipton, 28th Regiment" at top and counter-signed at base by a Colonel of the 28th, further unusually endorsed "via Southampton" diagonally across the envelope. Backstamped with single ring MALTA cds in red (April 19) and SHIP-LETTER / SYDNEY in black (June 9) in black. A fine and rare cover to a most unusual destination.
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,800 CHF

    Lot# : 5741 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1858 (Aug 13): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red star, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 14, pl. 43 in a horizontal strip of three (RA-RC) and 1855 2 d. blue, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 14, pl. 5 in a matching horizontal strip of three (BJ-BL), used on 1858 cover from Malta to Manchester tied by six strikes of the "M" obliterator paying the 9d. rate via Marseilles for an under ¼ ounce letter. Reverse with single ring 'Malta' despatch in red (Aug 14) and Manchester arrival (Aug 20) in blue. Two file folds affect the strips but most attractive and scarce. Signed Pröschold.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 220 CHF

    Lot# : 5742 Malta

    1 / 2
    /
    Download main picture Share
    1858 (April 10): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red stars perf. 14, an irregular strip of three and single 1856 6 d. lilac used on cover endorsed 'per French Steamer, via Marseilles' all tied by four strikes of the "M" obliterator with rare usage of the MALTA double arc cds on reverse in red (April 10), with London and Hythe cds's (April 16) adjacent. Carried at the 9d. rate for under ¼ ounce. Minor aging but a rare and appealing cover.rnProvenance: Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2164.rn 
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 5743 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1858 (Oct 23): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red perf. 14, pl. 43 nine examples used with single 1856 1 s. green on 1858 cover, strengthened and no side flaps, from Malta to Messina endorsed 'Vapore Postale', cancelled by nine strikes of the "M" obliterator in black. Carried at seven times the 3 d. rate with MALTA / PAID double arc cds in red (Oct 23) and manuscript charge of '70' grana due. One stamp with tear but a remarkable and early high franking.rnProvenance: Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2134.rn 
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5744 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1859 (Jan 15): Great Britain 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 7, four examples used on 1859 cover to Genova tied by three strikes of the "M" obliterator with oval framed "P-D." in red at right, handstruck PIROSCAFI / POSTAL / FRANCESI in red on obverse and reverse with single ring 'Malta' cds in red (Jan 15) and Genova arrival (Jan 21). Minor wrinkles but an attractive cover.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 5745 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1859 (Jan 22): Great Britain 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 7 and 1857 4 d. bright rose, used on 1859 cover from Malta to Messina tied by two strikes of the "M" obliterator with oval "P." in red below. Reverse with 'Malta' single ring cds in red (Jan 22) and two line Messina arrival (Jan 23) in black and charged '14' grana due. Small fault to front panel but attractive.
    Starting bid : 75 CHF
    Hammer price : 110 CHF

    Lot# : 5746 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1857 (Sept 26): Great Britain 1856 6 d. lilac, deep shade, used on 1857 cover to Naples tied by "M" obliterator with Maltese oval "P." unusually struck in black, reverse with double arc 'Malta' despatch cds (Sept 26) in black. Naples oval arrival handstamp in black and rated '31' grana to pay. A fine cover.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : 150 CHF

    Lot# : 5747 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1858 (March 14): Great Britain 1858 2 d. blue, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 16, pl. 6, a used horizontal strip of three, minor blunted perfs. at top of third stamp (but infinitely rarer than the perf. 14), on 1858 mourning cover from Malta to Exeter endorsed 'via Southampton' tied by three strikes of the "M" obliterator with reverse showing double arc 'Malta' cds (March 14), London transit (March 26) in black and Exeter arrival (March 27) in blue. A few wrinkles but a fine and most attractive cover.rnProvenance: Ex Orme and Frank. Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2156.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,600 CHF

    Lot# : 5748 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1877 (Dec 15): Great Britain 1870 ½ d. pl. 11 and 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 196 in a horizontal pair, one pulled perf., used on cover from Malta to London endorsed 'via Italy' tied by two strikes of the horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex with superb octagonal framed "MALTA / MB" Mobile Box marking below. 'London / Paid' arrival cds in red at left (Dec 22) and a further London datestamp on reverse of a rare and most attractive cover.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 550 CHF

    Lot# : 5749 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1859 (Dec 16): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red star, perf. 14, used on Soldier's concessionary rate 1859 cover from Malta to New York, endorsed at top "From No. 1202 Pte. Henry Peters 2/15th Regt. Malta" (2nd Batallion, 15th Regiment) and correctly endorsed by Colonel commanding below; tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Dec 16). 'London / Paid' transit and thence via Liverpool (Jan 3, 1860) on Inman Line 'City of Washington' steamer to New York (Jan 21). The concessionary rate not valid to foreign countries and the letter taxed 21 cents altered to '23c.' in pencil below. Repaired tear through the cover but a most unusual usage.
    Starting bid : 350 CHF
    Hammer price : 750 CHF

    Lot# : 5750 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1860 (Aug 24): Great Britain 1857 1 d. red star, 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 8 and 1856 6 d. lilac used on 1860 cover from Malta to Messina tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex ((Aug 22) with oval framaed 'P.' in black below. Reverse with Messina arrival cds (Aug 26) and charged '30' grana due in manuscript. Cleaned and stamps toned at top but an attractive triple rate franking.
    Starting bid : 120 CHF
    Hammer price : 140 CHF

    Lot# : 5751 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1876 (Nov): Sailor's Concessionary rate cover to Manchester endorsed "From L.C. Ennis "HMS Triumph", Besika Bay" and countersigned by Commanding Officer, franked by Great Britain 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 168 tied in transit by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Nov 3). The British Fleet arrived in Besika Bay, Constantinople following riots in late May 1876 and the replacement of the Grand Vizier, the Turks then put down rebellions in Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro with many atrocities reported in the British press. HMS Triumph was the Flagship of the British Fleet in the Dardanelles. A rare and unusual cover.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 400 CHF

    Lot# : 5752 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1866 (Aug 22): Great Britain 1864 1 d. red 82, a horizontal pair used on cover from Malta to West Norwood, London tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex. Underpaid and struck with extraordinarily fine strike of three line instructional "PACKET LETTER NOT ORIGINATING / IN MALTA. FORWARDED / CHARGED WITH POSTAGE" in black (latest recorded date of use) and struck accordingly with straight line INSUFFICIENTLY PREPAID in black with manuscript charge '5' pence. London partial cds on obverse and red segmented arrival on reverse (Sept 3). Edge wear but a splendid and extremely rare cover.rnProvenance: Collection Grant Glassco, RL, London, 25-27 Nov 1969, lot 1197; Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2311.rn 
    Starting bid : 6,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 6,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5753 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1870 (June 14): Great Britain 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 121, 1867 3 d. rose pl. 5 and 10 d. red-brown, used on 1870 registered double rate cover from Malta to Livorno tied by bold strikes of the "A25" obliterator with manuscript Italian credit '5½' alongside. Fine circular "REGISTERED / MALTA" datestamp below (June 14) and reverse with four Italian datestamps including Livorno arrival cds (June 18). A rare and fine cover and the earliest recorded usage of the 'Registered / Malta' datestamp.rnProvenance: Collection J.B. Seymour, RL, London, 6 June 1951, lot 1022; Collection George Coates, Christie’s, London, 7 Nov 1990, lot 1382; Collection André Bollen, Köhler, Wiesbaden, 8 Feb 1983, lot 111.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 750 CHF

    Lot# : 5754 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1871 (Sept 1): Great Britain 1864/79 1 d. red pl. 155 and 1867/73 3 d. rose pl. 6 used on cover to Lahore, India tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Sept 1), readdressed on arrival to Murree with India 1 a. brown tied by 'Lahore / 1' duplex (Sept 26). Carried from Suez on the 'Khedive' with oval "SEA POST OFFICE / A" datestamp in blue on reverse. Small imperfections and flap faults but a scarce usage.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5755 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1878 (Nov 21): Great Britain 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 15 used on 1878 cover to Naples tied by "A25" barred obliterator in black with "½" in red manuscript showing the balance for UPU rate prepaid in cash, struck with latest recorded usage of double arc "MALTA / PAID" in red (Nov 21) indicating the full amount had been paid. Naples arrival cds (Nov 23) on reverse of a quite beautiful and extremely rare cover.rnCollection George Coates, Christie’s, London, 7 Nov 1990, lot 1091.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,000 CHF

    Lot# : 5756 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1879 (June 16): Great Britain 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 15 and 1876 8 d. orange, straight edge at right, used on 1876 large part cover from Malta to Rome carried at quadruple the 2½ d. UPU rate, tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (June 16). Reverse with Rome arrival cds (June 19). Foxing around perforations but extremely rare, we believe this cover may be the sole example of an 1876 8 d. orange used from Malta still extant.rnSigned Raybaudi.rnProvenance: Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2251.
    Starting bid : 600 CHF
    Hammer price : 850 CHF

    Lot# : 5757 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1864 (Feb 22): Great Britain 1858/69 2 d. blue pl. 9 and 1862 4 d. vermilion-red, hairlines, in a vertical pair on 1864 "Registered Telegram" manuscript endorsed envelope from Malta to Bombay, India tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Feb 22). "♚ / REGISTERED" handstamp in red above crossed by opening tear. Reverse with imprinted embossed red seal of the 'The Mediterranean Extension Telegraph Company Limited'. The 4 d. pair creased at base but attractive and extremely rare.
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,300 CHF

    Lot# : 5758 Malta

    1 / 3
    /
    Download main picture Share
    1877 (March 27): Great Britain 1876/79 2½ d. rosy mauve pl. 6, a used block of four, lettered CE/DF, on 1877 cover from Malta to Livorno endorsed 'Col Postale Italiano', carried at quadruple the 2½ d. UPU rate, tied by three strikes of the horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (March 27). Siracusa transit (March 28) and Livorno arrival (March 30) on reverse. A few wrinkles but a splendid and extremely rare franking. Ex Abrahamson.rnProvenance: Collection Leslie Wheeler, RL, London, 25-26 March 1986, lot 900; Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2244.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 500 CHF

    Lot# : 5759 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1883 (June 20): Great Britain 1881 2½ d. blue pl. 23, the famous single example used on 1883 cover from Malta to Vizzini, Sicily boldly tied by double arc "MALTA" datestamp (June 20) in black. Reverse with Siracusa cds (June 22) and Vizzini arrival (June 23). One or two closed opening tears at top of no significance, this being the sole recorded usage of this datestamp as a cancellation device. Mentioned in Parmenter & Gordon on page 1/15. An exhibition item and stunningly attractive.rnProvenance: Collection André Bollen, Köhler, Wiesbaden, 8 Feb 1983, lot 145; Collection 'De Boer', Corinphila sale 100, Zurich, 16-21 June 1997, lot 4780.
    Starting bid : 7,500 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 5760 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1870 (Nov 2): Great Britain 1867/73 3 d. rose pl. 5 in a horizontal pair, some blunted perfs., used on 1870 entire letter from Malta to Porto, Portugal endorsed 'via Gibraltar', tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Nov 3). 'Gibraltar' transit cds on front (Nov 7) and struck with framed POR ALEXANDRIA at Lisbon (Nov 11) and charged '15' reis due in black. Lisbon transit and Porto arrival on reverse (Nov 12) of an attractive and scarce cover to an unusual destination.rnProvenance: Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2317.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 550 CHF

    Lot# : 5761 Malta

    1 / 2
    /
    Download main picture Share
    1860 (Nov 12): Great Britain 1857 4 d. rose, a single usage on 1860 cover from Malta to Sydney, New South Wales tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Nov 12). Apparently accepted as full payment with 'Melbourne' cds in red on reverse (Jan 14, 1861) and large part oval MISSENT TO / VICTORIA / MELBOURNE GPO handstamp in red on obverse. 'Ship Letter / Sydney' arrival (Jan 21) in black. A most unusual destination and an attractive cover.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,100 CHF

    Lot# : 5762 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1871 (June 23): Great Britain 1867 3 d. rose pl. 6 and 1867/70 6 d. violet pl. 9 used on 1871 cover from Malta to Marianopol, Sea of Azof, Russia tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (June 23) with both 'P.D.' and straight line FRANCO in red, '7¾' credit in red manuscript alongside and "Wfr.2" weiterfranko at left. Russian Postal Wagon 3-4 datestamp on reverse. Faults largely to reverse and aging but a very scarce destination at this date.rnProvenance: Collection Francisco, Christe's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2327.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,200 CHF

    Lot# : 5763 Malta

    1 / 1
    Download main picture Share
    1860 (Nov 12): Great Britain 1857 4 d. rose, a horizontal pair in a bright shade with part margin below, used on 1860 double rate cover from Malta to France, tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (March 10) with oval framed 'P-D' applied in black below. Marseille entry marking in red (March 14) with all markings on obverse of a pretty cover.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 550 CHF

    Lot# : 5764 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1864 (Feb 22): Great Britain 1862 4 d. vermilion-red and 6 d. lilac used on 1863 "Telegram Dispatch" imprinted envelope sent registered from Malta to Bombay, tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (July 22). "♚ / REGISTERED" handstamp in red at lower left and reverse with imprinted embossed blue seal of the 'The Mediterranean Extension Telegraph Company Limited'. Attractive and very rare.
    Starting bid : 850 CHF
    Hammer price : 6,500 CHF

    Lot# : 5765 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1877 (March 17): Great Britain 1876 4 d. vermilion pl. 15, a horizontal pair used on 1877 mourning envelope from Malta to Basil Hall Chamberlain in Yokohama, Japan tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (March 17) Carried on the P&O Steamer 'Zambesi' and struck unusually on obverse with circular HONG-KONG / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER datestamp (Proud D6) in black (April 23). From Hong Kong carried on the 'Malacca' with British P.O. 'Yokohama' arrival cds. Peripheral edge wear to envelope but a rare stamp on cover to a scarce destination.rnNote: Basil Hall Chamberlain (1850-1935) at this date was teaching at the Imperial Naval Academy in Tokyo, he was later a Professor at Tokyo Imperial University, writing some of the earliest translations of haiku into English.rnProvenance: Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2299.rnrn 
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,300 CHF

    Lot# : 5766 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1879 (Jan 30): Great Britain 4 d. sage-green pl. 16, a used example tied to 1879 cover from Malta to Bombay, India tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Jan 30) in black. Reverse with SEA POST OFFICE / D datestamp (Feb 7) and carried on the 'Khiva' from Suez arriving February 19. Slight aging but a scarce stamp on letter.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 5767 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1866 (Jan 18): Great Britain 1865/67 6 d. lilac pl. 5, three horizontal pairs used on 1866 cover from Malta to Livorno, tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Jan 12) with framed PIROSCAFI / POSTALI / ITALIANI below and red 'PD'. Manuscript '9' indicating the nine times rate (9 x 4 d. = 3 s.) with Messina transit cds (Jan 19) and manuscript '2¾' credit, Livorno arrival cds (Jan 25) on reverse. Small part of flap missing and a few wrinkles but exceptional and extremely rare.rnProvenance: Collection George Coates, Christie’s, London, 7 Nov 1990, lot 1091.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 600 CHF

    Lot# : 5768 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1862 (July 11): Great Britain 1862 9 d. bistre, a horizontal pair in a deep shade, used on 1862 triple rate cover from Malta to Sir Adrian Dingli at the Colonial Office in Downing Street, London endorsed 'per French Packet' tied by horizontal MALTA / A25 duplexes (July 11). Reverse with near complete Malta Government red wax seal and London arrival (July 17) in red. Some minor aging and two file folds well away from the adhesives, but a very rare and charming franking.rnNote: Sir Adrian Dingli (1810-1900) was Chief Justice of Malta.rnProvenance: Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2310.rnrnrn 
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 3,400 CHF

    Lot# : 5769 Malta

    1 / 3
    Download main picture Share
    1872 (Nov 5): Great Britain 1867 10 d. red-brown, a used example of rich colour, on 1872 cover from Malta to Key West, Florida, USA tied by bold strike of horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (Nov 5). 'London / Paid' transit (Nov 12) in red and carried on the White Star Line Steamer 'Baltic' with 'New York / Paid All' cds and '2 / Cents' credit mark in red (Nov 20). Key West arrival in black and struck there with ADVERTISED in black and "UNCLAIMED" in red with 'Dead Letter Office' datestamp (Feb 24, 1873) in blue on reverse. A very attractive and unusual cover.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 850 CHF

    Lot# : 5770 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1864 (Oct 1): Great Britain 1862 1 s. green, a horizontal pair of fine colour used on 1864 registered cover from Malta to Manchester at triple rate endorsed 'French Packet via Messina', tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex in black (Oct 1). Struck with "♚ / REGISTERED" in red and 'Registered / London' and reverse with 'Registered / Manchester' datestamps in red (Oct 6). A delightful and rare cover. Ex collection Lloyd-Lowles.rnProvenance: Collection Lloyd-Lowles, Harmers, London, 24-25 Jan 1978, lot 256; Collection Francisco, Christie's, London, 22 March 1989, lot 2344.
    Starting bid : 600 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,100 CHF

    Lot# : 5771 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1877 (May 12): Great Britain 1873/77 1 s. green pl. 12, a sheet marginal example with part imprint at top '(POST)AGE ONE', used on 1877 mourning envelope to Japan tied by horizontal "MALTA / A25" duplex (May 12). Carried on the P&O Steamer 'Cathay' between Singapore and Hong Kong and thence on the 'Malacca' to Yokohama with arrival at British P.O. Yokohama on reverse (June 23) in black. One flap missing and corner clipped but opens well for display.rnNote: Basil Hall Chamberlain (1850-1935) at this date was teaching at the Imperial Naval Academy in Tokyo, he was later a Professor at Tokyo Imperial University, writing some of the earliest translations of haiku into English.rn 
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 900 CHF

    Lot# : 5772 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1883 (April 19): Great Britain 1880 2 d. pale rose, two horizontal pairs used on 1883 double rate cover from Malta to Tokyo, Japan tied by two strikes of the vertical "MALTA / A25" duplex (April 19). Reverse with flap fault but showing Brindisi transit and 'Yokohama / Japan' cds (June 4); and a further 1882 cover from the correspondence bearing four 1881 1 d. lilac with similar routing. An attractive pair.rnNote: Basil Hall Chamberlain (1850-1935) after teaching at the Imperial Naval Academy in Tokyo, he was from 1882 a Professor at Tokyo Imperial University, whilst writing some of the earliest translations of haiku into English.rn 
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 550 CHF

    Lot# : 5773 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1882 (July 17): Great Britain 1880 5 d. indigo, a fine example used on 1882 cover from Malta to Liverpool at double rate, tied by vertical "MALTA / A25" duplex (July 17).Reverse with Liverpool arrival cds (July 22) in black. Charming and very scarce cover.rnProvenance: Collection André Bollen, Köhler, Wiesbaden, 8 Feb 1983, lot 143; Collection 'De Boer', Corinphila sale 100, Zurich, 16-21 June 1997, lot 4775.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 400 CHF

    Lot# : 5774 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1869 (Dec 21): Great Britain 1865 4 d. vermilion pl. 11 in a horizontal pair, used on 1869 entire letter at double rate from Malta to Genova, presumably handed direct to the Ship's Captain, tied solely by framed "PIROSCAFI / POSTALI / ITALIANI" in black with scarce late use of framed "*MALTA*" oval origin marking in black adjacent. Reverse with Genova arrival cds (Dec 26). A lovely entire of great rarity.
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,900 CHF

    Lot# : 5775 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    1860 (July 7): Cover to Drummond & Co. in Charing Cross, London, struck on reverse with four line italic instructional marking "Posted unpaid and opened / in due course, but having / originated out of Malta / forwarded charged with fine" in black. Malta single ring cds (July 7) and London arrival cds (July 12) in red, the cover being charged '6' pence in manuscript. The sole recorded cover from Malta with this marking and mentioned in the Malta handbook. See Parmenter & Gordon page 1/17. The cover is "twinned" with the Proof strike of the same marking beautifully struck in red on horizontally creased piece of paper (95 x 50 mm.). A wonderful pairing with both unique and of the utmost importance for both Maltese and Mediterranean Postal Historians.rnCover Provenance: Collection E.E. Yates, RL, London, 31 July-1 Aug 1940, lot 579.rnProof Provenance: Collection Dr. Camillery, Christie's, London, 14 May 1991, lot 230; Harmers, London, 18 Dec 2001, lot 1262.     
    Starting bid : 7,500 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 5776 Malta

    1 / 2
    Download main picture Share
    Mailboat Obliterations / Mediterranean Packets 1860 (Dec 9): Great Britain 1857 1 d. rose-red, wmk. Large Crown, perf. 14, a vertical strip of three rather muddily tied to Sailor's Concessionary rate cover from Malta to London by Mailboat "A81" obliterator ("Handed to Mr. Douglas for use on board, 18 March 1859") endorsed at top "From Hy Humber, Ship's Corpl. HMS Caesar, Malta" and counter-signed by Commanding Officer below. Carried back on the P&O Steamer 'Vectis' which left Malta on December 9 and arrived at Marseille on Dec 13; (rated at 3 d. pr ¼ ounce via Marseilles) with 'London / Paid' arrival cds (Dec 15) in red. An unusual franking.rnProvenance: 'Mailboat Covers & Cancellations', Spink, 7 March 2007, lot 1007.rnrnrn 
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold
list | gallery
Sort list :