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Austrian Levant

Catalogue 288: The Ing. Pietro Provera Collection (part IV)
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  • Lot# : 6027 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V20+V21+4/I
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    Austrian Levant Shipmail, Origin Markings for Ship Letters, Mediterranean Sea 1869 (July 9): Cover from Constantinople to Venice, bearing 1864 Arms 3 s. green and 5 s. rose perf. 9½ in mixed franking with two single adhesives of 1867 10 s. blue coarse whiskers (blunted perfs on the left example, tear into design on the right one), four  overall fresh adhesives, tied by two clear strikes of three-line "LETTERE ARRIVATE / COL VAPORE / DAL LEVANTE" handstamp in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 99). "P.D." handstamp in black alongside, reverse with oval TRIEST transit datestamp and VENEZIA arrival cds (July 16). Vertical file fold, well away from the stamps, an attractive item with a most exceptional franking. Signed Raybaudi, cert. E. Diena (1991) Ferchenbauer = € 5'250.rnNote: A very late use of the Arms issue which could be used until the end of August 1869. The normal post-1865 routing for a letter from the Levant to Italy was via Corfu and Brindisi with an Italian vessel resulting in a rate of 28 soldi. The sender paid this rate but did not endorse the route. In this case the journey via Trieste was chosen. 
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,200 CHF

    Lot# : 6040 Austrian Levant

    Papal States, Austrian Lloyd Agency in Ancona 1841 (Aug 30): Entire letter from Corfu via Ancona to Napoli, struck on reverse with hooded CORFU despatch datestamp, on front British "OFFICIO DELLA POSTE GENERALE CORFU" cachet. Upon arrival in Ancona a clear impression of oval framed "AGENZIA DEL LLOYD AUSTRIACO / Ancona" was struck in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 457) as well as a framed "Sanita in Ancona / Netto fuori e dentro" carantine handstamp. Following the carantine the entire was transfered to the Papal postal authorities who struck their straight-line ANCONA handstamp and an oval "A.G.D.P." (Amministrazione generale delle poste) handstamp in red on front. Reverse with "NAPOLI 5 SET. 1841" arrival cds in red. Horizontal file fold, nevertheless an appealing entire full of postal history. rnProvenance: Collection Monte Napoleone, Corinphila sale 78 (Sept 1988), lot 872.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 280 CHF

    Lot# : 6056 Austrian Levant

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    Napoli, Austrian Lloyd Agency in Molfetta 1853 (March 13): Entire letter from Molfetta to S. Elia di Valfortore, Campobasso, struck on front with perfect impression of oval "AGENZIA DEL LLOYD AUSTRIACO / MOLFETTA" sunray handstamp in blue. Despatched and fully prepaid at the Napoletan post office in Molfetta with matching oval despatch and framed FRANCA handstamps, both in red on front. On reverse, the sunray handstamp struck again to seal the letter, also two-line NAPOLI arrival (March 17) datestamp in red. Some toning not distracting at all from this very usage of the Molfetta Lloyd handstamp of which only two other strikes on cover from the Monte Napoleone collection are known, which had no postal function but was used as a sender's cachet. Certs. Chiavarello (1981), Goller (2021).rnNote: The sender Ignazio Fontana worked from 1850 at the Austrian consulate in Molfetta and had obviously additional functions for the Lloyd agency, a combination often seen.rnProvenance: Henry W. Houser collection, RL Zürich (June 1992), lot 1018.
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,000 CHF

    Lot# : 6057 Austrian Levant

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    Aegean Islands, Austrian Lloyd Agency in Rhodes 1858 (March 3): Cover from Rhodes to Syros, struck on front with oval "AGENZIA DEL LLOYD AUSTRIACO / RODI" handstamp in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 571). Reverse with SYROS arrival (March 4) cds. Some toning and horizontal file fold, nevertheless a fine usage of this rare handstamp. Signed Grobe, cert. Ferchenbauer (1982).
    Starting bid : 750 CHF
    Hammer price : 850 CHF

    Lot# : 6058 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V20+V23+4/I
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    Aegean Islands, Austrian Lloyd agency in Mytilene 1869 (April 16): Entire from Mytilene at Lesbos to Genova, bearing 1864 Arms 3 s. green and 15 s. brown, both perf. 9½ in combination with 1867 coarse whiskers 10 s. blue, three fresh and fine single adhesives, tied by light "METELINE 25 / 9 " cds (Tchilinghirian fig. 566) in black, framed "PIROSCAFI POSTALI ITALIANI" handstamp alongside. Reverse with Smirne Lloyd and Brindisi transit as well as GENOVA arrival (April 24) cds's. A fine item with lightest horizontal fold, the combination franking paying correctly the 28 soldi rate with Lloyd to Corfu, from there with Italian vessel to Brindisi, from there with the train to Genova. Signed Raybaudi; cert. E. Diena (1991) Ferchenbauer = € 3'200.rnNote: A cover from the same correspondence is displayed in the Ferchenbauer handbook, volume IV on page 600.
    Starting bid : 600 CHF
    Hammer price : 600 CHF

    Lot# : 6059 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 4/II
    Asia Minor,  Austrian Lloyd Agency in Smyrna 1881 (Aug 6): Entire letter from Smyrna to Trieste bearing 1867 fine whiskers 10 s. blue, tied by clear "SPED. POST: PRESSO LLOYD SMIRNE" cds (Tranmer fig. 12) in black, showing variety missing month slug. rnProvenance: Collection Monte Napoleone, 78. Corinphila sale (Oct. 1988), lot 853.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 100 CHF

    Lot# : 6060 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V23
    Bulgaria, Consular P.O. in Ruschuk 1867c (May 19): Cover from Ruschuk to Vienna, bearing 1864 Arms 15 s. brown perf. 9½, a fresh and fine single example, tied by superb RUSTSCHUK cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 877). Reverse with octagonal 'Schnallenstempel'-type WIEN arrival (May 21) datestamp. A most appealing cover, signed Ferchenbauer. rnNote: Cover undated but it was despatched after October 1866 when the Levant rate was reduced to 15 soldi.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 6061 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V23+4/I
    Bulgaria, Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Varna 1869 (May 1): Cover from Constantinople to Lyon, bearing horizontal pair 1864 Arms 15 s. brown in combination franking with 1867 coarse whiskers 10 s. blue, fresh and fine adhesives, cancelled by two strikes of "VIA VARNA" handstamp in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 114). "A. / P.D." handstamp in red and French "AUTR. 6 MAI 69 STRASBOURG" entry cds in blue alongside. Reverse with WIEN transit, Paris-Auxerre ambulant and LYON arrival (May 7) cds's. Horizontal and vertical file folds, some paper attachments on reverse, nevertheless an attractive, correctly franked cover. rnProvenance: Collection Achille Rivolta.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 900 CHF

    Lot# : 6062 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 4/I+5/I
    Bulgaria, Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Varna 1872 (June 19): Cover from Constantinople to Marseille, bearing 1867 coarse whiskers 10 s. blue and two single examples of 15 s. brown, fresh and fine adhesives, tied by a single clear strike of "LETTERE ARRIVATE / PER MARE / VARNA / 19 / 6 / 72" datestamp in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 115). "A. / P.D." handstamp in black and French "AUTR. 24 JUIN 72 AVRICOURT" entry cds in blue alongside. Reverse with Paris transit and MARSEILLE arrival (June 26) cds's. Horizontal file fold well away from the franking, an attractive entire overpaying the correct 35 s. rate by five soldi. Signed Wettler.rnNote: Since 1871, the rate is 10 s. for the Levant and 25 s. for France. 
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 300 CHF

    Lot# : 6063 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 7/I+4/I
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    Austrian consular P.O. in Constantinople 1874 (June 9): Double rate Envelope from Constantinople to Marseille, bearing 1867 coarse whiskers 50 s. reddish brown and horizontal pair 10 s. blue, fine and fresh examples, tied by "CONSTANTINOPEL 9 / 6 / 74" cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 389). "P.D." handstamp in black amd French "AUTR. 15 JUIN 74 AVRICOURT" entry cds in blue alongside, reverse with Paris transit and MARSEILLE arrival (June 16) cds's. Cover roughly opened away from the adhesives, nevertheless an exceptionally rare usage of the 50 soldi stamp to pay twice the 35 soldi rate to France which became valid in 1871. Signed Wallner, Matl & Colla; cert. Ferchenbauer (2004) Ferchenbauer = € 11'500.rnProvenance: Collection Dr. Anton & Elisabeth Jerger, 140. Corinphila sale (May 2004), lot 764.
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,200 CHF

    Lot# : 6064 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V23
    Crete, Austrian Lloyd Agency in Canea 1867c (June 17): Entire letter from Canea to Beyrouth, Lebanon bearing 1867 Arms 15 s. brown perf. 9½ neatly tied by two-line CANEA datestamp (Tchilinghirian fig. 533) in black, "BERUTTI 22/6" arrival cds (Tranmer type D) in black alongside. Reverse with "LLOYD AGENZIE SMIRNE 21/6" transit cds. Horizontal file fold affecting the upper perforation of the adhesive, cover torn at top, nevertheless an interesting port to port cover.
    Starting bid : 100 CHF
    Hammer price : 180 CHF

    Lot# : 6065 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 4/I + Greece 40a
    Crete, Austrian Lloyd Agency in Canea 1872 (Dec 22): Entire letter from Canea to Syra, Greece franked by 1867 coarse whiskers 10 s. blue neatly tied by two-line CANEA datestamp (Tchilinghirian fig. 533) in brownish red. Charged on arrival with two single examples of Large Hermes Meshed paper printings 10 lepta orange tied by dotted '67' numeral, reverse with SYRA arrival (Dec 12) cds. Horizontal and vertical file folds, nevertheless an interesting combination entire. Signed Calves.
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 260 CHF

    Lot# : 6066 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : Lev. 5/II
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    Egypt, Austrian Levant Shipmail, Origin Markings for Ship Letters 1878 (Jan): Envelope from Smirna to Alexandria, bearing 1874 fine whiskers 10 s. blue, tied by crisp oval "COL VAPORE DA SMIRNE" handstamp in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 102). Reverse with "ALEXANDIEN 18 1 78" arrival cds. Fragile cover, toned and with edge wear, nevertheless a rare usage, cert. Ferchenbauer (1989). Lot includes also piece with the same adhesive tied by "COL VAPORE DA BERUTTI" handstamp in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 103).
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 440 CHF

    Lot# : 6067 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 5/I
    Holyland, Austrian consular Agency in Jerusalem 1867c (July 17): Envelope from Jerusalem to the Grand Vizier in Constantinople, bearing 1867 coarse whiskers 15 s. brown in a horizontal strip of three, a fine and fresh multiple, tied by three strikes of GERUSALEMME cds (Tranmer type D). Reverse with fair "LLOYD AGENZIE CONSTANTINOPOLI" arrival (July 27) cds. Cover shortened at top, parts of the backflaps missing, nevertheless an appeling franking. Ferchenbauer = € 1'300.
    Starting bid : 250 CHF
    Hammer price : 340 CHF

    Lot# : 6068 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V21+V23
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    Romania, Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Giurgevo 1866 (Oct 17): Cover from Giurgevo to Vienna, bearing 1864 Arms 5 s. rose and 15 s. brown, two fine and fresh single examples, tied by crisp GIURGEVO cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 748). Reverse with WIEN arrival (Oct 22) cds. Lightest horizontal trace just mentioned for accuracy, a most attractive cover. Signed Raybaudi & Avanzo; cert. E. Diena (1987) Ferchenbauer = € 850.rnNote: A most interesting item two days after the introduction of the unified Levant rates which was 10 soldi from the United Principalities and Albania to Austria with 5 s. for the Levant and 5 s. for Austria. This reduction in postage was however not known to the sender who paid 15 s. for the Levant and 5 s. for Austria, a rate which was in force only between January and October 1866. Alternatively this could have bee a double rate cover with twice 10 soldi in the new tariff.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : 900 CHF

    Lot# : 6069 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 1/I
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    Romania, Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Bucharest 1868 (March 29): Printed matter Entire letter from Bucharest to Vienna, bearing vertical pair 1867 coarse whiskers 2 s. in the rarer chrome-yellow shade, a fine and fresh multiple, tied by crisp BUCAREST cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 714). Reverse with WIEN transit and "NEUHAUS b. WIEN" arrival (April 3) cds's. Lightest horizontal trace just mentioned for accuracy, a most attractive cover. Cert. Ferchenbauer (1996) Ferchenbauer = € 2'200.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,700 CHF

    Lot# : 6070 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V23+6/I
    Romania, Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Kustendje 1869 (Oct. 22): Cover from Kustendje to Napoli, endorsed "Via Trieste",  bearing 1864 15 s. brown perf. 9½ in combination with 1867 coarse whiskers 25 s. grey, two fine and fresh single examples, canelled by "LLOYD AGENZIE KUSTENDJE 22 / 10" cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 844), "P.D." handstamp alongside. Reverse with Venezia transit and NAPOLI (Oct. 30) arrival cds's. An interesting and attractive cover. rnProvenance: Collection Cihangir; 121. Corinphila sale (April 2000), lot 1713.
    Starting bid : 400 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,500 CHF

    Lot# : 6071 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : 5/I
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    Romania - Dobrudja, Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Sulina 1871 (Aug 13): Entire letter from Sulina to Trieste, bearing 1867 coarse whiskers 15 s. brown, a superb single example with a deep shade and better than normal perforation, tied by crisp SULINA cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 839). Reverse with clear oval TRIEST arrival (Aug 21) datestamp. Lightly cleaned but a gem, opinion Ferchenbauer (1992). 
    Starting bid : 200 CHF
    Hammer price : 650 CHF

    Lot# : 6072 Austrian Levant

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    Catalogue# : V21+V23
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    Thrace, Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Adrianopel 1869 (Jan 28): Entire letter from Adrianopel / Edirne to Genova, bearing 1864 Arms 15 s. brown in a horizontal strip of five and a single example of 5 s. rose, overall fresh and fine example (minor perforation toning and one nibbed perf. at left), cancelled by wreathed ADRIANOPEL cds in black (Tchilinghirian fig. 947). Reverse with WIEN, GÖRZ and VENEZIA transit as well as GENOVA arrival (Feb 9) cds's. Cover with some toning, nevertheless a most exceptional franking to pay a 80 soldi rate. Certificate Holcombe (1996) Ferchenbauer = € 3'000 for a franking of five 15 s. adhesives. rnNote: The rate is not quite well understood by the describer. The reverse shows a '4' in red crayon implicating a fourth rate letter. However a 20 soldi rate to Italy did not exist in 1869, it was 25 soldi with 10 soldi for the Levant and 15 soldi for Austria and Italy. If the present item was a cover of up to three loths, it would have been therefore overfranked by 5 soldi. However, the post office in Adrianopel is known for its innovative calculation of rates, compare Ferchenbauer volume IV on page 565.
    Starting bid : 1,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 1,800 CHF
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