Auction 309-320 - Europe & Overseas Egypt, including the Constantin Kelemenis - Day 4

British Post Office 1859: Entire letter from Alexandria to Paris endorsed "Franco - Bateau Anglais", struck with octagonal framed Mailboat datestamp "ALEXANDRIE / MB / DE 5 / 59" in black - one of just two recorded examples of this marking (see page 9/5 in "GB Used Abroad" by Parmenter, Gordon & Morton) - and corresponding octagonal framed "MALTA / MB / DE 10 / 59" datestamp of transit on reverse (this datestamp which was first dispatched from London to Malta on 24th April 1858). French "Paq. Angl. / Marseille" entry marking in red (Dec 13) and Paris arrival cds (Dec 15) in black, where charged '10' décimes to pay in manuscript. An outstanding entire for the Maritime Postal Historian with this being just the second example of the "ALEXANDRIE / MOBILE BOX" datestamp now recorded (the other is on a cover franked by French adhesives dated 19th November 1859 and also used to Paris). A rarity. Cert. Todd AIEP (2023).