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Russian Levant

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  • Lot# : 1565 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : Russia 5
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    1863 (June 25): Entire letter from the Russian Consular Post Office in Constantinople to Odessa bearing two single examples of Russia Imperial Arms 1858 10 kop. brown & blue perf. 12½, cancelled together with fair framed "Franco" handstamp in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 7), reverse with crisp KONSTANTINOPOL despatch cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 3). Horizontal filing fold well away from the stamps and left stamp with corner fault, nevertheless a clean and attractive entire opened for display. rnrnNote: Russian Consular Post Offices accepted mail prior to 1863 and the "Franco" handstamp used on this entire is already known on a stampless cover from the Dr. Casey collection despatched in October 1862. This Casey cover proves thereby the usage of the "Franco" handstamp in the Consular P.O. rather than the ROPiT office in Constantinople to which it has been attributed in the past. Russian Imperial stamps were issued to the Levant P.O.'s in November 1862 and starting from 1863 to 1914 all Russian Post Offices in the Ottoman Empire were run by the Russian Company for Steam Navigation & Trade. The present cover shows therefore a very early usage of Russian Imperial adhesives in the Levant with only one other entire from the Cihangir collection despatched three days earlier. The Imperial adhesives were replaced by the ROPiT 'Steamer & Eagle' adhesives in 1865. In addition, the present cover is a fine presentation of the 20 kopeck port-to-port rate while additonal 10 kop. had to be franked for destinations within Russia.
    Starting bid : 2,000.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 3,600.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1566 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : Russia 5
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    1865 (May 8): Entire letter from Constantinople to Trebisonda/Trapzon bearing a horizontal pair of Russia Imperial Arms 1858 10 kop. brown & blue perf. 12½, tied upon arrival by "PORT TREBIZOND 12 MAI 65" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 96), reverse with information strike. One short perf. and file fold away from the stamps, a very attractive entire showing the Port-to-Port rate, opened for display. rnProvenance: Collection Lipschutz; Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 265.
    Starting bid : 500.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,300.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1567 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : Russia 15
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    1866 (Sept 27): Entire letter from Constantinople to Kishinev in Bessarabia bearing a horizontal strip of three Russia Imperial Arms 1865 10 kop. brown & blue perf. 14½, tied by two strikes of "KONSTANTINOPOL 27 SEP. 66" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 3), arrival KISHINEV cds (Sept 30) in black alongside. Reverse with another Constantinoplre information strike and ODESSA transit cds in black (Sept. 29). File fold away from the stamps and postmarks, an attractive late usage of the Imperial adhesives to pay the 30 kopeck Levant-to-Russia rate. Signed A. Diena.rnNote: The adhesives of the 'Steamer & Eagle' type of the ROPiT came into use in 1865, the present entire is therefore a late usage of the Imperial stamps. Postage is 20 kop. for the Shipmail part of the journey and 10 kop. for the part of the journey from Odessa harbour to Kishinev.
    Starting bid : 300.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 420.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1568 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 1
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    Imperial Post 1863 (Jan 1): "Printed Matter to the East“ adhesive stamp, 6 kop. blue, cancelled with central "KONSTANTINOPOL 22 JUNE 1865" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 3). Touched at top left corner and diagonal folds, a scarce and desirable usage of this stamp. Signed Philipp Kosack Mi = € 3'000.rnProvenance: Collection Lipschutz; Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 123 (Oct 2000), lot 3579.
    Starting bid : 300.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 300.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1569 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 1b,1c
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    Imperial Post 1863/65: "Printed Matter to the East“ adhesive stamp 6 kop. blue, two unused adhesives, one on wove paper without gum, cert. Mikulski (1987), the other on chalk paper with gum, signed Thier. Mi = € 720.
    Starting bid : 100.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 240.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1570 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 1
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    ROPiT Steamer & Eagle 1865: 10 pa. brown & blue, a used example from position 19 on the sheet of 28 subjects, good to enormous margins all round, cancelled by light '783' numeral lozenge of Beirut in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 216). Scarce and desirable adhesive, cert. Mikulski (1998) Mi = € 800.rnProvenance: Collection Fabergé, Corinphila sale 105 (Sept 1998), lot 8636.
    Starting bid : 200.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 360.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1571 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 1
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    ROPiT Steamer & Eagle 1865: 10 pa. brown & blue, a used example, large to enormous margins all round, cancelled by bold '785' numeral lozenge of Alexandria in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 255). Attractive, signed Zumstein Mi = € 800.rnProvenance: Collection Bustamante; Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (April 2000), lot 275.
    Starting bid : 200.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 240.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1572 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 1
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    ROPiT Steamer & Eagle 1865: 10 pa. brown & blue, a used lower left corner marginal example from position 22 on the sheet of 28 subjects, good to enormous margins all round, cancelled XIOS cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 164). Scarce and of utmost attractiveness with the design unaffected by the datestamp, cert. Mikulski (1998). Mi = € 800.rnProvenance: Collection Caspary; Collection Fabergé, Corinphila sale 105 (Sept 1998), lot 8633.
    Starting bid : 200.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 320.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1573 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 1+2
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    ROPiT Steamer & Eagle 1865: Set of both stamps issued incl. 10 pa. brown & blue cancelled by indistinct cds in blue leaving the design untouched and 2 pi. red & blue with numeral '783' of Beirut. A fine and fresh desirable group with large to huge margins all round. Mi = € 1'800.
    Starting bid : 300.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 440.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1574 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 1
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    ROPiT Steamer & Eagle 1865: 10 pa. brown & blue, a used vertical pair with large even margins all round, tied by light "PORT SMIRNA" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 152) to piece. Attractive Mi = € 1'600+.rnProvenance: Collection Ferrary; Collection Lipschutz; Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (April 2000), lot 279.
    Starting bid : 400.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 600.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1575 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 2
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    ROPiT Steamer & Eagle 1865: 2 pi. red & blue, a used example with large to huge margins all round, cancelled by clear "PORT XIOS" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 163). Scarce and attractive, cert. Mikulski (1998). Mi = € 1'000.rnProvenance: Collection Fabergé, Corinphila sale 105 (Sept 1998), lot 8646.
    Starting bid : 200.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 440.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1576 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 2
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    ROPiT Steamer & Eagle 1865: 2 pi. red & blue, a used top marginal example with large to huge margins all round, tied by light SMIRNA cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 772) to piece. Attractive Mi = € 1'000+.rnProvenance: Collection Bustamante; Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (April 2000), lot 284.
    Starting bid : 200.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 320.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1577 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 2
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    ROPiT Steamer & Eagle 1865 (Nov 27): Cover from Alexandretta/Iskenderun to Aleppo bearing a fine and fresh 1865 Steamer & Eagle 2 pia. red & blue with vibrant colour and large regular margins all round, tied by numeral '782' of Alexandretta in blue, reverse with "PORT ALEKSANDRETTA 27 NOV." cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 198). Filing fold away from the stamps and postmarks, cover fragile at the edges, nevertheless a scarce usage of this stamp with only few covers known. Signed A. Diena and Chiavarello.rnProvenance: Collection Chiavarello, Harmers, London, May 2009.
    Starting bid : 500.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,600.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1578 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 3/I
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    Inscribed P.O.Π.и.T (ROPiT) 1866: 2 pia. blue & rose, complete reconstruction of the 28 types, 13 are unused, some of these with gum, the rest with a variety of cancellations incl. Retta in blue of vertical pair ex Fabergé, numerals '780' of Smyrna on another vertical pair, also numeral '782' and part "C.R.N. & C. AGENCE SAMSOUN" cds on single adhesives. Group with shade interest including light and dark blue colours, a scarce and important assembly, minor imperfections as to be expected. Mi = € 2'240.rnProvenance: Collection Bustamante; DF sale (May 2004), lot 30226.
    Starting bid : 600.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 750.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1579 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 3/I
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    Inscribed P.O.Π.и.T (ROPiT) 1867 (Dec 11): Cover from Mersina to Smyrna, endorsed "Porto payé", bearing a fine and fresh 1866 ROPiT 2 pia. blue & rose with vibrant colour and large to huge margins, tied by numeral '781' of Mersina in black, reverse with "PORT SMIRNA 11 DEC. 1867" arrival cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 152). File folds away from the stamps and postmarks, an attractive item. rnProvenance: Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 539.
    Starting bid : 1,000.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,700.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1580 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 3/I
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    Inscribed P.O.Π.и.T (ROPiT) 1867 (June 12): Double rate Entire letter from Lattakia to Beyrouth, bearing two fine and fresh single adhesives of 1866 ROPiT 2 pia. blue & rose with vibrant colour and good to huge margins, tied upon departure with "RUS. OBSHCH. PAR. I TOR / LATAKIISK. AGENSTVO" handstamp with coat of arms of the ROPiT in centre, (Tchilinghirian fig. 805) and upon arrival by numeral '783' of Beyrouth, both in blue. Information strike "PORT LATAKIE 12 JUNE 1867" in blue alongside (Tchilinghirian fig. 207). Filing folds away from the stamps and postmarks, an exceptional double rate entire with this rare Lattakia handstamp which was not known in the literature until the Tchilinghirian supplement. Signed Holcombe. 
    Starting bid : 2,000.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,800.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1581 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 5
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    Imperial Post 1868 (Apr 30): Entire letter from Messina to Taganrog, brought by courrier to Constantinople, bearing right marginal horizontal pair of 1868 10 kop. carmine & green perf. 11½, cancelled with two strikes of mute Retta Shipmail obliterator in blue. Information strike of "ROPiT KONSTANTINOP. AGENT. 30 III 68" cds with inverted day slug in blue alongside (Tchilinghirian fig. 8). Filing folds away from the stamps and postmarks, some wear and tear, but an interesting cover.rnNote: This first issue of the Imperial Post in the Levant (if one neglects the 6 kop. 'banderol' stamp) came into use on May 1st, 1868 when the Constantinople Consular P.O. was closed and the ROPiT P.O. became the only official Russian office. This cover is therefore a usage one day before the Official take over of the ROPiT office.
    Starting bid : 500.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,200.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1582 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 5
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    Imperial Post 1870 (Feb 5): Entire letter from Smyrna to Taganrog, bearing a vertical strip of three of 1868 10 kop. carmine & green perf. 11½ showing the normal irregularities of this perforation, cancelled with three strikes of numeral '780' of Smyrna in blue. Information strike of "SMIRNA 5 FEB. 1870" cds in blue on reverse (Tchilinghirian fig. 772). Filing folds away from the stamps and postmarks, some wear and tear, but an interesting and attractive entire.rnProvenance: Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 503.
    Starting bid : 200.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 260.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1583 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 6x+7
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    Imperial Post 1874 (July 25): Entire letter from Constantinople to Odessa, bearing 1872 1 kop. brown on horizontally laid paper and vertical strip of three 3 kop. green, all perf. 14½, tied by "KONST-POLSK 25 JULY 74" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 713). Odessa arrival cds in black alongside (July 27). File fold through the lower 3 kopeck stamp, nevertheless an interesting franking to pay the 10 kop. rate.rnProvenance: Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 371.  
    Starting bid : 250.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 650.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1584 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 6+7
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    Imperial Post 1875 (Sept 16): Cover with all-Arabic address from Trapezunt to Constantinople, bearing on reverse a horizontal pair of 1872 1 kop. brown and three single adhesives of 3 kop. green, all perf. 14½, tied with two fair strikes of "TRAPEZUNT 16 SEP. 75" cds in blue, another information strike on obverse (Tchilinghirian fig. 738). An attractive item.
    Starting bid : 150.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 480.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1585 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 6x+8x
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    Imperial Post 1875 (Aug 2): Entire letter from Constantinople to Metelin, bearing 1872 1 kop. brown and 5 kop. blue, both on horizontally laid paper and perf. 14½, tied by crisp "KONSTANTIN 2 AUG 75" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 11). Port-to-Port 6 kop. rate introduced in 1875. Cert. Holcombe (1990).
    Starting bid : 200.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 260.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1586 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 7
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    Imperial Post 1873 (Sept 12): Envelope with all-Arabic address from Samsun to Constantinople, bearing a horizontal pair of 1872 3 kop. green perf. 14½, tied with fair "SAMSUN 12  SEP. 73" cds in blue, another information strike alongside (Tchilinghirian fig. 125). Reverse with "KONST-POLSK 16 SEP. 73" arrival cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig 713). One sideflap missing, nevertheless an appealing cover.rnProvenance: Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 478.
    Starting bid : 150.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 500.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1587 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 7+8
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    Imperial Post 1876 (Jan 17): Envelope from Constantinople to Tiflis, bearing 1872 3 kop. green and 5 kop. blue, both perf. 14½, tied by fair "KONSTANTIN 17 JAN 76" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 12). Tiflis arrival cds in black alongside (Jan 25). Stamps crossed by light crease, backflap missing and cover with some wrinkles and edge wear, nevertheless an interesting franking to pay the 8 kop. rate which came into force in 1875.rnProvenance: Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 123 (Oct 2000), lot 3601. 
    Starting bid : 150.00 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 1588 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 7x+9x
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    Imperial Post 1872 (Aug 11): Entire letter from Smyrna via Constantinople to Taganrog, bearing 1872 3 kop. green and 10 kop. carmine & green on horizontally laid paper, both perf. 14½, tied in transit with fair "KONST-POLSK AGENSTVO 15 AUG. 1872" cds in blue and Taganrog arrival cds in black, another Constantinople information strike alongside (Tchilinghirian fig. 13). Reverse with ODESSA transit cds in black (Aug. 18, 1872). rnProvenance: Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 361.rnNote: Rate reduction with 3 kop. for Ropit and 10 kop. for Russia.
    Starting bid : 250.00 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 1589 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 8
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    Imperial Post 1873 (Aug 9): Entire letter from Constantinople to Taganrog, bearing horizontal pair 1872 5 kop. blue perf. 14½, tied by "KONST-POLSK AGENSTVO 9 AUG. 1873" cds in blue and Odessa transit cds in black. Another Constantinople information strike and two Taganrog arrival cds's alongside (Aug 14/15). rnNote: Further rate reduction to 10 kop. for the whole journey.
    Starting bid : 200.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 320.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1590 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 8x+12y
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    Imperial Post 1881 (Dec 14): Double rate Envelope from Beyrouth to Aleppo, bearing 1872 5 kop. blue on horizontally laid paper (2) and 1879 1 kop. black & yellow on vertically laid paper (2), tied by numeral '783' of Beyrouth, despatch "BEIRUT 14 DEK." cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 219) on reverse, transit "ALEKSANDRETA 19 DEK." cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 200) on obverse. Upon arrival in Aleppo Turkey Dulos 1 pia and 2 pia. were applied as postage due for the inland part of the journey and tied by "ALEP TURQUIE 2 JANVIER 1881". Edge faults and shortened at base, opened for display, nevertheless an impressive combination cover.rnProvenance: Collection Liphschutz; collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 557.
    Starting bid : 500.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 3,000.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1591 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 10a
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    Imperial Post 1878 (May 29): Entire letter from Constantinople to Taganrog, bearing 1876 '8' on 10 kop. carmine & green perf. 14½, tied by fair "KONSTANTIN 29 MAYA 78" cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 12). Reverse with Odessa transit and Taganrog arrival cds's (June 3). Minor edge wear, still an attractive usage of the provisional '8' kop. overprints used in Constantinople to pay the 8 kop. rate. Opinion Mikulski (1984). Cert. Eisold (1999).
    Starting bid : 500.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 600.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1592 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 11/Ia
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    Imperial Post 1880 (March 1): Envelope with all-Arabic address from Constantinople to Tabriz in Persia, bearing 1879 thick type I '7' in black on 10 kop. carmine & green perf. 14½, tied by "KONSTANTIN 1 MAR 80" cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 12). Reverse with Tabriz arrival cds (March 31). A fine cover with minor wrinkles to an unusual destination. Opinion Mikulski (1984). Cert. Eisold (1999).
    Starting bid : 600.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 900.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1593 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 19C
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    1890: 10 kop. red & green, a vertical pair used on reverse of registered 1897 envelope to St. Petersburg tied by "ROPiT / Constantinople" Cyrillic datestamp in black (Sept 4), with Odessa transit cds adjacent and St. Petersburg arrival (Sept 8). A fresh and fine cover.
    Starting bid : 75.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 120.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1594 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : Russia 25x
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    Incoming from Russia 1879 (Apr 21): Entire letter from Odessa to Constantinople, bearing Russia Imperial arms 1879 7 kop. grey & carmine on horizintally laid paper perf. 14½, tied upon arrival by "KONSTANTIN 23 APR. 79" cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 12). Reverse with additional information strike. Adhesive with corner fault, nevertheless an appealing cover which was presumably given directly to the Steamer and postmarked upon arrival.
    Starting bid : 150.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 240.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1595 Russian Levant

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    Inscribed P.O.Π.и.T (ROPiT) 1866: Selection 13 used stamps and three pieces with numeral, retta and datestamp cancellations incl.  10 pa. rose & blue with retta cancellation on single adhesives and vertical pair on piece, numeral cancellations '783' of Beyrouth on single and crisp '785' of Alexandria on horizontal and vertical pair. Also 2 pia. blue & rose with Retta cancellation, numerals '781' of Mersina on pair ex Faberge with Mikulski cert., '782' of Alexandretta and '785' of Alexandria on single adhesives, and cds's of Port Alexandria, Port Latakie and Port Rhodos (2) as well as Odessa upon arrival, opinion Holcombe. A scarce and attractive assembly, minor irregularities as to be expected. Mi = € 1'800+.
    Starting bid : 500.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 600.00 CHF

    Lot# : 1596 Russian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 10,11
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    Imperial Post 1876/79: Selection three unused and four used stamps with provisional overprints from Constantinople incl. '8' on 10 kop. carmine & green with black (2) and blue ovpt., thick type I '7' on 10 kop. ovpt in black (used & unused) and blue (unused) as well as rare thin type II '7' on 10 kop. ovpt. in black unused. All adhesives with competent signatures, from e.g. Mikulski and Holcombe. A scarce assembly, the stamps in mixed condition Mi = € 1'400.
    Starting bid : 150.00 CHF
    Hammer price : 320.00 CHF
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