STOCKHOLMIA 2019 & ERIVAN Worldwide Rarities

1842, Cover, one side flap missing, from Passo to Cachoeira endorsed ‘Vapor Paquete do Norte pelo Rio de Janeiro’ at lower left, struck with oval framed PASSO handstamp in red (the only recorded example of this handstamp). Framed MACEIO transit in red with ‘30’ reis charge, ‘Correio Da Bahia’ cds in black (Sept 17) with 70 reis charge, circular RIO GRANDE datestamp (Oct 13) in black with 110 reis charge and eventual arrival in Cachoeira where charged a total of 150 reis due upon receipt. A rare and most unusual cover.
 

1843 (Feb 18), Entire letter to Cachoeira struck on despatch by framed PASSO handstamp in red (the only recorded example of this handstamp) with manuscript docketing of despatch below; carried overland to MACEIO with faint red handstamp alongside where charged 40 reis, thence via Rio Pardo in Rio Grande State with superb framed handstamp in black, ‘Correio Geral da Corte’ datestamp struck in Rio (March 24) to Porto Alegre (April 29) to Cachoeira where charged a total of 190 reis due to pay with previous charges of 120, 160 and 180 reis deleted in manuscript . A rare and most appealing entire.
 

1843, 'Bull's Eye' 60 reis black, intermediate impression, complete pane of 18 stamps from the composite plate in almost flawless condition, nice fresh colour and large margins on all sides with outer framelines at top, right and bottom (so-called semi-xifopagos), lightly cancelled by framed "CIDADE DE NICTHEROY", a tiny nick at top in the outer frameline, far off the stamps mentioned for accuracy only. A beautiful multiple of great rarity and one of the highlights of Brazil first issue. Signed Alberto Diena in pencil. Provenance: Maurice Burrus (1963), Tefik Kuyas (1978), Gordon N. John (1986)

1843, 'Bull's Eye' 60 reis black, intermediate impression, nice fresh colour and large even margins, tied by brownish-black straight line "S. JOAO DEL REI" to entire letter, dated June 15, 1844, to Rio de Janeiro. Some very light erosions in the cover without importance. A very fine and attractive letter with a rare cancellation. Signed Alberto Diena in pencil. Provenance: Gordon N. John (1986)

1843, 'Bull's Eye' 90 reis black in horizontal pair, intermediate impression together with 60 reis worn impression, all in fresh colour and with good to mostly large margins, used on entire printed commercial letter, tied by cds. "CORREOS GERAL BA CORTE 26/9 1843" and addressed to Cattas Altas in the postal district of Ouro Preto. A marvellous letter with an outstanding combination; just one further letter with similar franking is recorded. Signed Alberto Diena in pencil
Provenance: Collection Berms (Robson Lowe, 1975)