Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

Russian P.O. in Beirut, Ingoing 1868 (March 23): Entire letter from Mersina to Beirut, struck on despatch by “PORT MERSINA” cds (Tchilinghirian fig 797) at base of cover below the adhesives. Upon arrival two fine and fresh vertical strips of four 1866 10 pa. rose & blue were added to front and reverse of the entire, tied by rhomboid numeral ‘783’ of Beirut, matching "PORT BEIRUT" cds (Tchilinghirian fig. 813) on reverse, all in blue. A spectacular and fine item, the two multiples except for one stamp with large margins, the cancellations of extraordinary quality, a cover for a most advanced collection of the Russian Levant. Certs. A. Diena (1964), G. Bolaffi (1965), Buchsbayew (2024).
Provenance: Burrus collection, Robson Lowe Ltd (May 1964), lot 214; DF sale (Dec 2017), lot 70110.