Auction # 2438 ARGENTINA: Special October auction

Foreign offices in Buenos Aires, Compagnie des Messageries Imperales, ONLY TRIP from Buenos Aires to Europe via the LAST steamer of Ligne del Plata and the FIRST ONE of 1st Ligne J: Cover with paid postage (stamps of 40c. + 80c. Napoleon with anchor cancels, and red "PD" handstamp), sent from Buenos Aires to Varzo (Italy) on 12/AP/1866, carried to Rio de Janeiro by steamer CARMEL (Ligne del Plata), and from Rio to Bordeaux by steamer NAVARRE (Ligne J1, sailing on 24/AP, arrival 17/MAY), VF quality! In February 1866 the Compagnie de Messageries Imperiales assigned the Bordeaux - Rio de Janeiro route to the LIGNE J, and the route to the River Plate was operated by LIGNE K. The Ligne J (Rio de Janeiro 24/AP/1866 - Bordeaux 17/NO/1869) was operated with steamers NAVARRE (J1), GUIENNE (J2) and ESTREMADURE (J3), whereas Ligne K (Buenos Aires 12/MAY/1866 to 12/OC/1869) included steamers CARMEL and AUNIS plus one trip by a Brazilian steamer chartered due to repairs on the Aunis.