STOCKHOLMIA 2019 & ERIVAN Worldwide Rarities

1874, Entire letter sent unpaid from Énos (Enez, Thrace, Turkey) to Genova, Italy struck with exceptional impression of the pearled ÉNOS / TURQUIE despatch datestamp (May 8) in blue. ‘Les Dardanelles / Turquie’ transit cds at right in black (May 21) and large ‘90 LEP’ handstruck due marking in black. Reverse with further strike of ‘Les Daranelles’ datestamp, Messina cds (June 3), Naples cds (June 4) and Genova arrival, where taxed with Italian 1870 Postage Due 30 c. and 60 c. tied by ‘Genova’ cds’s (June 6). Minor imperfections of no significance - a magnificent and extremely rare entire – unique. Signed Calves.
Provenance: Collection 'Cihangir' (Corinphila sale 121, Zurich, 1 May 2000, lot 2843)

1900, Special printing on Bristol, 2 large pages (65:50 cm), with printed images (alltogether 12) of postcards, lettercards and envelopes. Slight marginal faults, but generally fine. Very rare, only 3 sets were issued

1900, Special printing on Bristol, 2 large pages (65:50 cm), with printed images (alltogether 9) of postcards, lettercards and envelope. Slight marginal faults, but generally fine. Very rare, only 3 sets were issued

1862, 30 kreuzer dark yellow-orange and 18 kreuzer green, used with clear central boxed "ENGEN/18 Jul." on small sealed registered envelope (central seal removed) via  Aachen and England to "Frederick Lauer's Brewery" in Reading, Pensylvania; on revers railway mark "MAINZ/COELN" and front side violet transit mark of Aachen with matching violet crowned "REGISTERED", also faint "NEW YORK AM. PKT." (5.8.). The cover is franked with 9 kreuzer german postage and 39 kreuzer foreign share, noted on front; german registration fee paid in cash according to regulations. The stamps with small repairs in 2 perfs, otherwise very fine and most attractive. The finest of just two recorded entires with this extremely rare combination of the two high values of Baden. Signed Pfenninger und Seeger

Provenance: 64. Larisch-auction (1971)

The sleeping Beauty

1849, 1 kreuzer grey-black, plate 1, used in combination with 2 copies 1850, 1 kreuzer rose, plate 1, all in fresh colour and with good to mostly large margins, the black stamp originating from the upper sheet margin, used on small entire letter and tied by cogwheel "23" with adjacent  "BAYREUTH 24 11" to Münchberg. The upper rose stamp affixed with slight corner buckling (mentioned for accuracy only) otherwise in very fine and original state of preservation. A marvellous and most attractive colour franking with the first German postage stamp. The Köhler archive has registered altogether 7 other entires with colour frankings with the Bavaria 1 kreuzer-black stamp. Merely one of these is a further combination with a copy of plate 1 and just 2 other entires are recorded with a combination of equal denominations (both with 1 kreuzer black of plate 2). A marvellous combination letter and one of the major rarities of Bavarian and German States philately. This cover was only discovered recently (see the article on following pages) and has therefore never been offered at public auction before. Certificate Sem BPP (2018)

For further information on this sensational find see two-page article by Wolfgang Jakubek '168 Jahre Dornröschenschlaf '(168 years Sleeping Beauty) published in Briefmarken Spiegel in April 2018.

1853, 9 kreuzer light green, type I, enormous margins at left and top, slightly touched resp. cut into at the other sides, tied by cogwheel "250" to registered lettersheet with adjacent "OETTINGEN 30/9" (1853) to Lausanne, Switzerland. The cover was fully paid with 21 kreuzer, due to regulations at this time only the inland postage of 9 kreuzer was to be expressed in postage stamps, the Swiss share of 6 kreuzer paid in cash and noted on reverse, the registration fee of another 6 kreuzer paid in cash and settled via postal receipt. A rare and attractive letter, just one further registered letter of this type to Switzerland has been recorded. Certificate M. Brettl BPP (1998)

1866 (AUG 1), Lettersheet dated "Obereisenheim 31. Juli 1866" and posted at Schweinfurt, franked with 1862, 12 kreuzer green and 3 kreuzer carmine red, tied by open cogwheel "479", addressed to Trier (Prussia), endorsed "via France". Due to the German-Austrian war with its several battles in the north of Bavaria, direct postal connections between Bavaria and the northern States were partly interrupted and a special diversion of mail via France was introduced in mid July 1866. The fee for such letters was 15 kreuzer per 7,5 grammes; they were transported in closed mail bags. An attrative and exceedingly rare letter; to-date the only recorded example of a special war rate letter from Bavaria to Prussia.

The battle of Üttingen near Würzburg took place on July 25 and 26, 1866, Würzburg was still attacked by the Prussian army on July 27 and the railroad from Würzburg to Frankfurt was closed due to troop movements. This cover most likely travelled via railway Bamberg-Nürnberg-Ulm-Stuttgart-Straßburg and from here forwarded to Trier.
 

1833, "STADTPOST / QUITTUNG / FÜR / BERLIN    SILBERGROSCHEN", embossed white label in irregular block of 4, accompanied by a dated lettersheet with date stamp "BERLIN 8 5", showing on reverse large red wax seal of the Prussian 'Hofpostamt', and addressed to the Imperial Austrian first postal administrator Maximilian von Ottenfeld. These stamps have been a mystery since their discovery in the 1960s. Most likely these are specimen for a new design of the Berlin city post receipt labels which had been issued in the 1820s and had been send on demand of the Austrian Postal authorities to Vienna. To-date no further copies have been recorded.
Reference: "Menschen, Marken und Marotten" by Wolfgang Jakubek, 1999, page 23

1861, Eagle issue 1 silbergroschen rose and 3 silbergroschen ocre, used on entire letter from Lübeck to Münster am Stein in Prussia, tied by Lübeck city post bar-cancel with adjacent large size double circle "LUEBECK 1 9". Next to the franking manuscript notation "The stamps are still valid, by mistake cancelled in Lübeck / Lübeck d. 1 Aug. 63 city post office (signature)". The postage paid by the sender was noted as "4" Lübeck schilling in blue crayon (the actual amount franked in Prussian stamps was slightly more than that). On reverse transit mark of Hamburg (AUG 1), railroad mark "BERLIN/HAMBURG" and distribution mark of Münster am Stein. A rare and hightly interesting use of Prussian stamps on foreign soil, accepted by both the Lübeck and Prussian postal authorities, which is known in numerous cases when postage stamps of the state of destination within the German postal union was used. A remarkable letter in fine quality (paper partly weak in the folds only). Signed W. Brandes, Dr. Werner and Jakubek

"KONSTANTINHAFEN 12/3 90", 2 clear strikes on cover to the headoffice of the New Guinea Company in Berlin, franked with 2 copies 1880/89, 10 pfennig red with an additional clear strike repeated on reverse of the cover, used as kind of seal. On reverse also transit marks of Soerabaja (MAR 31) and Weltevreden (APR 4) and Berlin arrival mark (MAY 1). Usual slight transportation marks, cover opened at 2 sides. Covers from Konstantinhafen with the pfennig-issue are among the rarest appearances of German colonies. Certificate Dr. F.F. Steuer BPP (1994)

"FINSCHHAFEN 28 6 89" on vertical pair 1880/89, 20 pfennig ultramarine, used on registered envelope with superb strike repeated at left, adressed to a curator at the Ethnological Museum of Leiden, Netherlands with arrival mark (AUG 23). The family name in the address crossed out, usual minimal transportation resp. age marks. Altogether a fine and fresh entire. Registered mail from Finschhafen during this early period is extremely scarce, especially to destinations outside Germany. Certificate R.F. Steuer BPP (1995)

1920, 'Sarre' overprint on Germania, unissued 3 mark black-violet, very nice and deep colour and with good perforation, unused with fresh original gum and hinge remainder. A very fine copy of this rare stamp of which only one sheet with 20 stamps was printed. Three different signatures including Georges Barbe, certificates Robineau (1966) and Burger BPP (1999) (Mi. € 20.000,-)

1920, Unissued Bavaria 20 mark brown overprinted "SARRE", the famous and unique copy with 'small A' of overprint position 15; at bottom full sheet margin with part overprint of position 19. The stamp presents itself in nice fresh and flawless condition, unused with original gum and small hinge remainder, the margin with light creasing and small hole, without any importance and mentioned for accuracy only. 16 examples of the high value have been overprinted and so it is one of the rarest stamps of all German areas. This example being the most popular and highly searched for the ones listed. A gem of German philately. Signed Dr. Dub and some private signatures on the margin only; opinion Dr. Dub (1964) and certificate Braun BPP (2019)
Provenance: Dr. William A. Katz (Robson Lowe, 1964), 41. Kruschel-Auktion (1996)

1920, Proof of a postal stationery card with never issued denomination of 20 pfennig, printed in black colour, cancelled "FLENSBURG 14.2.20" and used with long text of the wife of the Swedish commission member Oscar von Sydow, the later Swedish Prime Minister, to the family's nanny in Göteborg, Sweden, showing violet commission cachet on front. A very rare and most unusual item, just 6 postally used proofs have been recorded. This item described in the 'London Philatelist' September 2012 (copy attached). Certificate Gruber BPP (2017)

1918 (2.9.), Small size envelope endorsed "O.A.S." and franked with 2 copies 1917, ½ piaster scarlet, tied by superb strike of "EL-AKABA 2.9.9.116" cds. (as all the other known covers erroneously dated), addressed to Cairo with frontside arrival mark (SEP 12, 1918) and 2 different censor marks on front and reverse. A fine and extremely rare cover, merely a handful of entires are recorded from the city of Aquaba during the Hejaz period. Certificate Todd AIEP (2018) (SG 14)

1958/67, 'Flora' issues, 6 archive pages of Courvoisier S.A. with progressive proofs (4 or 5 each) of 17 values including unissued 1958, 17 aur in 4 different colours, unissued 1961, 1,50 kronor value and from the same year a stamp without denomination in design of 3,50 kronor stamp and 1967, 2,50 kronor stamp in unissued colour. A unique ensemble

1935, experimental coil stamp 2 d., perforated 15 x imperforated, tied by cds. "NAS NA RIOGH 10 VI 36" to postcard to Vienna, Austria with arrival mark on front; the stamp applied with top right perforation slightly over the edge of the cover, but still intact. A fine and very rare single franking. Just 4 entires with this stamp are recorded, including only one further to a foreign destination (Hibernian T4cii)

1852, 50 bajocchi blue, fine printing, fresh colour and with large even margins, used together with 6 bajocchi on greenish-grey in horizontal pair and single 8 bajocchi black on double rate letter sheet from Rome (DEC 14, 1861) via France and England to Kingston, Canada with arrival mark of January 3, 1862. The 8 bajocchi slightly unfresh and the cover with some small stains, otherwise fine. A rare and attractive letter with a most unusual destination. Signed Avi with certificate (2018)

1852, 1sc. carmine-rose, just touched at right and with huge margins on adjoining sides, used with horizontal pair of 6 baj. black on grey and single 2 baj. greenish-white on registered cover from Rome to St. Paul, Réunion tied by Rome grill with straight line ASSICURATA below with despatch cds in black (May 31) and ‘Italie / Lanslebourg’ transit (June 3) and CHARGÉ in red on obverse. The reverse with rate box in red, Marseille cds, ‘Réunion / St. Denis’ cds in blue (July 5) – this repeated on front – and St. Paul arrival cds in black.  Small closed tear at left but a remarkable and rare usage of the 1 scudo on letter to a most extraordinary destination – the sole recorded cover usage to Réunion.  Signed A. Diena, E. Diena. Certs. A. Bolaffi (1985), G. Colla (2017) (Sassone 3A+7A+11 = € 90.000,- +)

1868, 3 c. black on grey glazed paper and 5 c. black on dark blue, used on the address label of 1868 Printed Matter cover from Rome to Padua, the adhesives in fine quality with good perforations, neatly tied in black. A very rare franking for the 8 centesimi rate with just 12 items recorded thus. Signed E. Diena. Cert. Colla (2016) (Sassone 24+25d = € 52.500,-)

Provisional Government 1859, 5 c. green, 20 c. violet-blue and 40 c. red-brown, all with four margins all round, used on 1859 registered cover from Modena to Sassuolo tied by nine bar obliterators in black. Modena despatch cds (Nov 21) at base with framed RACCOMANDATA in black at right. One side flap missing but a magnificent three colour franking in delightful condition. Signed G. Bolaffi, A. Bolaffi., A. Diena. Cert. E. Diena (1991) (Sassone 12+15+17c = € 37.500,-)

Provisional Government 1859, 5 c. green, two vertical pairs with large margins all round, used on 1860 cover from Modena to Torino, lightly cancelled by two strikes of the nine bar obliterator in black, with ‘Modena’ despatch cds (Jan 17) alongside. A fine and rare usage. Signed A. Diena, E. Diena, G. Bolaffi (1954), A. Bolaffi, P. Vaccari (Sassone 12 = € 22.000,-)
 

Provisional Government 1859, 20 c. grey-violet with full margins all round and 20 c. black-violet, imperceptibly touched at left, used on 1859 cover from Reggio to Ancona cancelled in blue with ‘Reggio’ datestamp (Dec 12) in blue. An extraordinary example of two listed shades of the same stamp on the same cover, almost certainly the sole example extant. Signed Jamet. R. Diena. Certs. Gazzi (1977), Sorani (1989), E. Diena (1993) (Sassone 15+15b = € 9.450,- +)
 

Provisional Government 1859, 20 lilac and 20 c. lilac with “ECNT” for CENT error, each with large margins all round, used on 1860 entire letter from Modena to Samaden, Switzerland cancelled by nine bar obliterators in black with Modena cds at right (Jan 20). Reverse with Milano transit cds (Jan 24). An exceptional entire in the foremost quality, a unique combination to a most unusual destination. Certs. A. Diena (1963) and E. Diena (1989) (Sassone 16+16c = € 40.000,-)

1842 (APR 2), Entire letter from Naples via London forwarding agent to the Isle of Guernsey, part-paid with 15 grana, confirmed with red "AGDP"; in London charged with "1/7", which was paid by the forwarder Samuel Dobree & Sons, who applied a 1841, 1 penny red-brown and mailed the letter to a member of the well known Carey Family at Carey Castle, Guernsey. A very interesting and most attractive letter; most likely the earliest letter from Naples with a postage stamp.

1851, 5 c. intense black, a used inter-pane ‘interspazio’ horizontal pair, with ample to large margins all round, lightly cancelled by the lozenge of dots in black, very fine and extremely rare: undoubtedly the finest of the three pairs recorded. Signed E. Asinelli. Cert. E. Diena (1987) (Sassone 1b = € 120.000,-)
 

1859, 2 gr. cobalt, Plate 1, pos. 45, large margins on three sides, just touched at left, used on cover from Palermo, January 1st, 1859 to Assoro on the First Day of Issue – a rare first day cover of attractive appearance. Signed Alberto and Raffaele Diena. Cert. Colla (2016) (Sassone 6b = € 250.000,-)
 

1863, De La Rue 40 c. rose, an unused block of four of vibrant fresh colour, marginal from right of sheet with imprint POSTALI at right, excellent centering for the issue, fine unmounted original gum. A magnificent multiple in the foremost quality and probably the finest known. Signed A. Diena. Cert. G. Colla (2016) (Sassone L20 = € 140.000,-)

1963, The Burrus Collection JAPAN, auction catalogue of Kanai Stamp Co. in outstanding fresh condition, accompanied by 'Floor Bid Ticket No. 000537'. A very rare ensemble. The auction catalogue was produced in a numbered edition of only 1,000 pieces. This catalogue is rarely offered today; together with the "Floor Bid Ticket" it is a great rarity.

1852, William III. 10 centimes grey-black in marginal block of 4, nice fresh colour and good margins including ca. 3/4 mm sheet margin at right, lightly cancelled by circle of 9 bars of Luxemburg. A very faint and almost invisible surface rub in the upper left stamp mentioned for accuracy only, otherwise very fine and fresh. A rare multiple in this condition. Certificate Demuth (1985)

1852, William III. 1 silbergros reddish-orange in block of 4, nice fresh and deep colour and good to large margins, neatly cancelled by circle of 9 bars of Luxemburg. A tiny thin between the two right-hand stamps, slightly affecting the top line of the lower right stamp only and the same stamp tiny marginal tear at right, just into the outer frameline but merely touching the design. Blocks of this stamp are extremely rare, this one being one of the finest in terms of quality. Certificate Demuth BPP (1985)

1852, William III. 10 centimes black, first printing, 2 horizontal pairs, the first one cut into the outer frameline at lower right, otherwise ample to large margins, the second one with well ballanced margins , tied by green 'pointe perforante' to entire letter to Sarreguemines in France with 2 adjacent strikes of red cds. "LUXEMBOURG 18 SEPT 52". A fine and most attractive letter with rare cancellation, used just 5 days after the issue of the first stamp of Luxemburg and an extremely early (if not the earliest) first issue letter to abroad. Certificate Demuth BPP (1981)

1851 (MAY 1), Entire unpaid letter from Bandoeng to Copenhagen carried via Singapore, Aden and Suez, here charged with "2/-", further via Marseille and Hamburg where it was charged with "41" schilling Hamburg currency (equal to131 Danish skilling). The letter was transferred to the Danish PO at Hamburg, which applied blue boxed "Aus dem Post-Verein" on front. In Copenhagen a total of 157 skilling were charged to the recipient. An interesting letter and the only recorded with the rare boxed "Aus dem Post-Verein" from the Dutch East Indies. Certificate Van der Linden BPP (1999)

1855, Coat of Arms 4 skilling blue, nice fresh colour and large even margins, most unusually cancelled by circle of 10 horizontal ink lines, originating from a smaller letter-collecting office. Very fine and most attractive. Certificate F.C. Moldenhauer jr. (1987)

1870 (Aug), 1 real rose, a fine used example with large margins all round, tied to 1874 entire letter endorsed ‘por Vapor Goya’ (Argentinian Riverboat) to Buenos Aires by circular ‘ASUNCION’ datstamp in blue (Sept 23). Rare and extremely attractive usage. Certificate Moorhouse (2002). (Scott 1)
Provenance: Corinphila sale 116, 28 Oct. 1999, lot 2232
 

FILIPINO REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT: 1898/99, 'CORREOS FILIPINAS' 2 cents red imperforated horizontally, the complete sheet of 192 stamps with full margins, unused with full unmounted original gum. Despite of some minor light creasing in very fine and fresh condition (Scott Y2 var.) Provenance: General Harry Hill Bandholtz