Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 6

French Post Office in Smirna 1862: France 20 c. blue and 40 c. orange, this last with straight edge, used on 1866 entire letter at single rate from Smirna to Zurich, Switzerland tied by '5098' gros chiffres. Handed to steamer in port with "NIEMEN" French Paquebot datestamp (Salles fig. 802) alongside (Feb 16). Framed 'PD' in black and small cartridge "Paquebots / de la / Mediterranee" in red at right and Marseille transit cds on reverse with Zurich arrival (Feb 27). Some slight aging but a scarce entire: this being the Maiden Voyage of the "Niemen".