364 / März 2017

1862: Empire 10 c. bistre, 20 c. blue and 40 c. orange used on 1864 cover endorsed 'via Suez' to a hydrographic engineer in Saigon, Indo China, each tied by ´282´gros chiffres with ´Bagnèrés-de-Luchon´ despatch cds alongside (June 24) and framed ´PD´ in red. Carried by British ships at 70 centimes rate with 'Cochin Chine / Saigon' arrival cds (Aug 16) on reverse. A charming and scarce cover.

1862: Cover at double rate to Saigon, Indo-China endorsed 'voie de Suez' franked by 1853 80 c. carmine in a horizontal pair cancelled by 2878 petit chiffres with corresponding 'Sens-S-Yonne' despatch cds (May 12) at left and framed 'P.P.' in red. Reverse with Marseille transit cds. The front panel with two removed stains but an attractive cover to a scarce destination.

1863: Covers (2), both from Marseille to Saigon, Indo China, with January 1863 cover at 50 c. rate with mixed issue franking of 1853 5 c. green (2) and 1862 40 c. orange tied by 2240 gros chiffres endorsed 'Par Labourdonnais'; and June 1863 cover endorsed 'via Suez' franked by single 1853 80 c. carmine similarly tied. Faults and one restored along folds but an attractive pair.