Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

Varna Austrian Lloyd 1848 (Aug 1): Entire letter from Varna to Constantinople struck with oval "AGENZIA DEL LLOYD AUSTRIACO / VARNA" handstamp in greenish-blue, the discovery example of this cancellation and the sole example recorded in this colour (Tchilinghirian fig. 938) and illustrated in Tchilinghirian on page 527. Illustrated in "Austrian Levant Post in Bulgaria" by Dr. G. Popov on page 81. The earliest recorded usage of this handstamp. A rarity.
Provenance: Collection Franz See, Corinphila sale 62, Zurich, 9 May 1979, lot 2392.