(Constantinople) 1870 (9 april) unpaid stampless entire to Livorno, endorsed “Via Brindisi”, three-line origin maritime handstamp, manuscript rate markings and 30c and 40c Postage Dues applied n tied single framed Livorno date stamp, reverse with Triest transit cds and Udine – Verona tpo; some slight ink running but generally good appearance.
(Crete) 1901 picture postcard of Leo Tolstoy from Russia to Crete with 1k. franking on each side with very fine ROPIT AGENT KRITI date stamp on reverse ( a less clear offset on front), the front bearing double-ring ROPIT CONSTANTINOPOLI transit and Greek Xania arrival; fine and scarce.
(Crimean War) 1855 stampless ‘On Her Majesty’s Service’ envelope with embossed back flap to England, endorsed “via Marseille”, POST OFFICE BRITISH ARMY A cds of Constantinople. The cover has been charged “6” in spite of the heading.
(Disinfected Mail) 1847 entire to Paris with various manuscript rates, Constantinople/ 30 JUIN two-line handstamp, T.A. (Austrian transit) and red French entry cds, reverse with disinfection cachet across flap; filing crease at base.
(Disinfected Mail) 1871 outer letter sheet to Genova, franked ‘Bordeaux’ 20c. and 40c. with close to large margins, cancelled by ‘anchor’ lozenge, octagonal maritime Constantinople Paq. Fr. No.3 date stamp, framed PD, with two disinfection slits, reverse with Messina transit. A rare cover with a heavy central horizontal creasing.
(Incoming Mail) 1866 (24 Jan) outer letter sheet to Genova bearing Constantinople company chop, at top French maritime cds for ship Danube, framed entry PIROSCAFI/ POSTALI/ FRANCESI handstamp indicating French Packet, Messina transit of 28th and red framed arrival.
(Maritime Mail) 1854 (27 Feb) entire from Constantinople to Brousse handstamped blue oval *C.O.* CONSTANTINOPLE/ P.P.; a fair strike of a difficult cancel.
(Maritime Mail) 1859 commercial entire from Constantinople to “Tagliaferro & figli”, Malta with company chop across reverse, the front bearing fine blue strike of Borysthene cds; good clean condition.
(Maritime Mail) 1872 ‘Frassinet Shipping Company’ invoice to Constantinople from Marseille franked ‘Laureated’ Napoleon 40c. cancelled on arrival by ‘5083’ gros chiffres, endorsed at top in manuscript “par Gyptis” as stated in body of invoice.
1857 (23 Dec) unpaid entire with part contents to Constantinople, endorsed “voie de Trieste” bearing central St Gallen cds and a very fine strike of rare framed tax mark ‘3 – 5/ 2 – 20’ for 3 piastres 5 paras Swiss/Postal Union fee and 2 piastres 20 para postage beyond Trieste, to be paid by the recipient, reverse with Trieste Abends transit (26/12) and arrival cds of 8/1.
1861 (14 Aout) entire to Lyon franked 1853 Napoleon 10c. and 40c. tied with unclear lozenge, Sinai ship cds at base, framed PAQUEBOTS/ DE LA/ MEDITERRANEE; small fault top left of entire and stamps with variable margins.
1861 (28 Aout) cover to Marseille franked 1853 Imperf Napoleon 10c. and 40c. (close to good margins) tied petits chiffres ‘3707’ with at right Constantinople Turquie cds, red framed PAQUEBOTS/ DE LA/ MEDITERRANEE and PD, arrival backstamp.
1865 (23 Feb) entire to Eupatoria franked Russia 1858 10k. perf 12½ in two horizontal strips of three tied by blue Constantinople cds in Cyrillic; stamps fine and fresh, refolded to hide horizontal splitting and toning along filing fold, a spectacular franking.
1865-66 three ‘Seated Helvetia’ printed commercial covers to Constantinople, all from Butschwyl, April 1865 30r red and 60r copper bronze, endorsed to travel via “Wien & Kustendje”, Dec 1865 cover with three colour franking at 90r rate to go via Trieste and 1866 cover endorsed to go by Marseille and franked two 60r copper bronze, the first two with arrival cancels of Austrian offices and the last French, a fine trio of covers, two with BPB Certs and last with P Guinand Cert .
1867 (10 Juil) outer letter sheet to Lyon franked 1862 40c. tied by anchor lozenge, octagonal Constantinople P. Fr. U No.4 date stamp alongside, red framed Paquebots/ De La/ Mediterranee, reverse with Marseille and arrival cancel.
1867 (17 Juil) stampless outer letter sheet to Marseille bearing octagonal Constantinople P.Fr. U.No.1 date stamp, red framed PAQUEBOTS/ DE LA/ MEDITERRANEE handstamp, arrival backstamp.
1867 entire from Odessa with fine company chop bottom left, forwarded to Constantinople with agents handstamp at top, addressed to Palermo, sicily and carried on French ship with octagonal Constantinople P.Fr. U No.3, framed Italian PIROSCAFI/POSTALI/FRANCESI handstamp, reverse with Messina transit and arrival date stamps.
1868 (22 Avril) entire to France franked 1862 40c. tied by unclear lozenge, octagonal Constantinople P. Fr. U No.3 date stamp alongside, red framed Paquebots/ De La/ Mediterranee, reverse with Marseille and arrival cancels.
1868 (6 Mai) entire to Cette franked 1862 40c. tied by faint anchor lozenge, octagonal Constantinople P. Fr. U No.1 date stamp, red framed Paquebots/ De La/ Mediterranee, reverse with Marseille transit and arrival cds.
1869 (4/9) printed entire to Trieste franked 1867 Coarse Whiskers 2s. yellow horizontal pair tied fine wreathed CONSTANTINOPEL , arrival backstamp. A Light horizontal filing crease otherwise very fine with stamps exceedingly fresh. Ex Monte Napoleone and Provera.