Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

Egyptian Consular Post Office abroad in Beirut, Ingoing 1870 (Oct 28): Letter sheet from Adana, Turkey to Beirut, bearing Egypt 1867 Penasson 1 pi. rose-red, some perf. imperfections, tied by two strikes of retta mute obliterator in blue. Reverse on arrival struck with all-Arab intaglio 'Posta Masria Bairout' seal handstamp in black of the Egyptian post office. Scotch remnants, letter sheet splitted along the edges, fixed by hinges, despite these faults an item of extreme importance. Cert. B.P.A. (2002).

Note: The Latakia Office was open from July 1870 until February 1872. 
Reference: Smith states that the consular office negative seals '.. are amongst the rarest postmarks of the consular offices ..' and he confirms that he knows only of one cover with this seal handstamp from Bairout.
Provenance: Collection Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 2581; David Feldman sale (May 2001), lot 30468.