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1853 (20 Sep) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Alexandria (Egypt) to Marseille (France), payment postmark, handwritten rate "10". handwritten directive "Par bateau français" its mean "By French boat", black oval forwarding agent cachet "PIETRO MERCIANTE / ALEXANDRIA", red rectangular cachet "PAQUEBOTS / DE LA / MEDITERRANEE", Alexandrie origin postmark. Arrive in Marseille September 25, 1853

France & Colonies / French Post Offices in Levant, China, Africa

 

Cover Postal History
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$200
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Rare Stamps and Postal History of The World
Auction 58
October 12 - 26, 2026
United States United States , Black Mountain , NC

A landmark event featuring significant rarities, museum-level material, and distinguished collections assembled over decades. Nearly 9,600 lots of rare stamps and postal history from around the world — a record-breaking auction and the largest sale in our history.

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Conditions of Sale Bid Increments How Bidding Works
Schedule
Worldwide
Lots 1 - 731
Wroldwide Postal History
Lots 732 - 1397
Great Britain & British Commonwealth
Lots 1398 - 2051
France & Colonies, Italy & Colonies, Poland, Judaica
Lots 2052 - 2672
German States
Lots 2673 - 2930
Germany 1871–1945
Lots 2931 - 3307
Germany: Colonies, Offices Abroad, Plebiscite Areas & Territories
Lots 3308 - 3750
Germany: WWII Occupations
Lots 3751 - 3966
Concentration Camps & Forced Labor Camp Posts
Lots 3967 - 4163
Germany after 1945: Local Posts & Occupation Zones
Lots 4164 - 4634
Third Reich, Italy & Olympic Games Propaganda
Lots 4635 - 5421
Russian Civil War: South Russia
Lots 5422 - 5715
Russian Civil War: Revenues, Siberia, Caucasus
Lots 5716 - 5898
Russian Empire, Wenden, Zemstvo, Cinderellas
Lots 5899 - 6168
Russian Offices Abroad
Lots 6169 - 6341
Russian Postal History
Lots 6342 - 6560
RSFSR, Soviet Union, Tannu Tuva
Lots 6561 - 7109
Ukraine: Underground Post
Lots 7110 - 7834
Ukraine: Territories, DP Camps, Plast
Lots 7835 - 8358
Yevhen Vyrovyi Tridents Collection
Lots 8359 - 9140
Yevhen Vyrovyi Tridents Collection: Podolia
Lots 9141 - 9464
Yevhen Vyrovyi Tridents Collection: Postal History
Lots 9465 - 9572
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1856 (27 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Marseille (France), Constantinople origin postmark. Payment postmark handwritten "20" decimes rate marking on front. Arrive in Marseille April 6, 1856
1856 (27 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Marseille (France), Constantinople origin postmark. Payment postmark handwritten "20" decimes rate marking on front. Arrive in Marseille April 6, 1856
$25
1853 (28 Feb) Pre-philatelic international stampless letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Leghorn (Italy), Constantinople origin postmark. Payment postmark red manuscript "10" rate marking on front. Oval forwarding agent cachet "SHAN BROTHERS / CONSTANTINOPLE" at top right. Arrive in Leghorn March 10, 1853
1853 (28 Feb) Pre-philatelic international stampless letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Leghorn (Italy), Constantinople origin postmark. Payment postmark red manuscript "10" rate marking on front. Oval forwarding agent cachet "SHAN BROTHERS / CONSTANTINOPLE" at top right. Arrive in Leghorn March 10, 1853
$25
1851 (6 Apr) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet Constantinople, French post office (Turkey) to Livorno (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "41", black double circle "LIVORNO / VIA DI MARE / C" whats mean "LIVORNO / BY SEA / C" maritime postmark. Arrive in Livorno March 9, 1851
1851 (6 Apr) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet Constantinople, French post office (Turkey) to Livorno (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "41", black double circle "LIVORNO / VIA DI MARE / C" whats mean "LIVORNO / BY SEA / C" maritime postmark. Arrive in Livorno March 9, 1851
$90
1854 (15 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Genoa (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "20" on front and reverside, red three-line "PIROSCAFI / POSTALI / FRANCESI" in translate ""French Postal Steamships" maritime transit cachet on front. Arrive in Genoa, indistinct postmark on reverse, March 22, 1854
1854 (15 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Genoa (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "20" on front and reverside, red three-line "PIROSCAFI / POSTALI / FRANCESI" in translate ""French Postal Steamships" maritime transit cachet on front. Arrive in Genoa, indistinct postmark on reverse, March 22, 1854
$35
1848 (29 Jun) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Smyrne (Turkey) French P.O. to Livorno (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "21". Black double-circle "PURIFIE AU LAZARET / MALTE" (Purified at the Malta infirmary) disinfection postmark, knife-slit disinfection marks, double-circle "LIVORNO / VIA DI MARE" maritime entry postmark. Arrive in Livorno August 10, 1848
1848 (29 Jun) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Smyrne (Turkey) French P.O. to Livorno (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "21". Black double-circle "PURIFIE AU LAZARET / MALTE" (Purified at the Malta infirmary) disinfection postmark, knife-slit disinfection marks, double-circle "LIVORNO / VIA DI MARE" maritime entry postmark. Arrive in Livorno August 10, 1848
$100
1912 (6 May) Сover from Port Said (French post Port Said, Egypt) to San Lorenzo (USA), franked by 25с (Port Said) canceled by Port Said postmark. Via Paris May 12, 1912. Arrive in San Lorenzo May 27, 1912
1912 (6 May) Сover from Port Said (French post Port Said, Egypt) to San Lorenzo (USA), franked by 25с (Port Said) canceled by Port Said postmark. Via Paris May 12, 1912. Arrive in San Lorenzo May 27, 1912
$25
1855 (3 Sep) Pre-philatelic international stampless letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Marseille (France), Constantinople origin postmark. Payment postmark black manuscript "10" decimes rate marking on front. Via French maritime route. Arrive in Marseille September 10, 1855
1855 (3 Sep) Pre-philatelic international stampless letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Marseille (France), Constantinople origin postmark. Payment postmark black manuscript "10" decimes rate marking on front. Via French maritime route. Arrive in Marseille September 10, 1855
$25
1845 (17 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet disinfected mail from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Genoa (Italy). payment postmark handwritten rate "21". Black double-circle "PURIFIE AU LAZARET / MALTE" (Purified at the Malta infirmary) disinfection postmark, knife-slit disinfection marks
1845 (17 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet disinfected mail from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Genoa (Italy). payment postmark handwritten rate "21". Black double-circle "PURIFIE AU LAZARET / MALTE" (Purified at the Malta infirmary) disinfection postmark, knife-slit disinfection marks
$100
1846 (20 Nov) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet disinfected mail from Smyrne (Turkey) French P.O. to Palermo (Italy), payment postmark red oval cachet "FRANCO", black rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination), red handwritten rate "5". Black double circle "PURIFIE LAZARET / MALTA" (Purified at the Malta infirmary) disinfection postmark, knife-slit disinfection marks. Via Napoli transit postmark, red "NAPOLI1846/ 29. NOV". Arrive in Palermo December 6, 1846
1846 (20 Nov) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet disinfected mail from Smyrne (Turkey) French P.O. to Palermo (Italy), payment postmark red oval cachet "FRANCO", black rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination), red handwritten rate "5". Black double circle "PURIFIE LAZARET / MALTA" (Purified at the Malta infirmary) disinfection postmark, knife-slit disinfection marks. Via Napoli transit postmark, red "NAPOLI1846/ 29. NOV". Arrive in Palermo December 6, 1846
$150
1901 (31 Dec) Cover from Dakar (Senegal) to Gorée (Senegal), franked by 1c and a pair of 2c (Senegal), tied by Dakar postmarks. No arrival postmark
1901 (31 Dec) Cover from Dakar (Senegal) to Gorée (Senegal), franked by 1c and a pair of 2c (Senegal), tied by Dakar postmarks. No arrival postmark
$150
1942 (20 Dec) Cover within Saigon (Indo-Chine), franked with 6c (Indo-Chine), canceled Saigon-Foire Exposition special postmarks (first day). Commemorative exhibition cachet "VISITEZ LA FOIRE EXPOSITION DE SAIGON 20 DEC. 1942 / 20 JANV. 1943." Arrive in Saigon Central December 21, 1942
1942 (20 Dec) Cover within Saigon (Indo-Chine), franked with 6c (Indo-Chine), canceled Saigon-Foire Exposition special postmarks (first day). Commemorative exhibition cachet "VISITEZ LA FOIRE EXPOSITION DE SAIGON 20 DEC. 1942 / 20 JANV. 1943." Arrive in Saigon Central December 21, 1942
$25
1932 (30 Apr) Recouvrements financial document from Rochefort (France) to Paris (France), franked with five 1fr postage due stamps (France) tied by Rochefort postmark May 10, 1932
1932 (30 Apr) Recouvrements financial document from Rochefort (France) to Paris (France), franked with five 1fr postage due stamps (France) tied by Rochefort postmark May 10, 1932
$20
1857 (14 Apr) Stampless letter sheet from Clelles-en-Trièves (France) to Grenoble (France), payment postmark cachet rate "30", Clelles-en-Trièves origin postmark, Arrive in Grenoble April 15, 1857
1857 (14 Apr) Stampless letter sheet from Clelles-en-Trièves (France) to Grenoble (France), payment postmark cachet rate "30", Clelles-en-Trièves origin postmark, Arrive in Grenoble April 15, 1857
$20
1860 (12 Jun) International cover from Reims (France) to Mayence/Mainz (Germany), franked with 10c and 40c (France), tied by "2642" in bold diamond of dots postmark, Reims postmark. Rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination) cachet. Green oval forwarding agent cachet "H. PIPER & C-ie / REIMS", handwritten routing directive "par Forbach", what means "Via Forbach". No arrival postmark
1860 (12 Jun) International cover from Reims (France) to Mayence/Mainz (Germany), franked with 10c and 40c (France), tied by "2642" in bold diamond of dots postmark, Reims postmark. Rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination) cachet. Green oval forwarding agent cachet "H. PIPER & C-ie / REIMS", handwritten routing directive "par Forbach", what means "Via Forbach". No arrival postmark
$30
1849 (4 May) Stampless international letter sheet from Roubaix (France) to St. Ghislain (Belgium), payment postmark handwritten rate "4". Red cachet "R. FRONT.". Roubaix origin postmark. Via Mouscron May 5, 1849. Arrive in St. Ghislain May 5, 1849
1849 (4 May) Stampless international letter sheet from Roubaix (France) to St. Ghislain (Belgium), payment postmark handwritten rate "4". Red cachet "R. FRONT.". Roubaix origin postmark. Via Mouscron May 5, 1849. Arrive in St. Ghislain May 5, 1849
$25
1860 (28 Jun) Cover (on turned international stampless cover) from Chilleurs-aux-Bois (France) to Mouton (France), franked with 10c (France), tied by "853" in diamond of dots, postmark of Chilleurs-aux-Bois. Via Limoges and Paris and Limoges, transit T.P.O. postmark "LIMOGES A PARIS" June 29, 1860. No arrival postmark. 1860 (21 May) turned international stampless cover from San Francisco (USA) to Chilleurs-aux-Bois (France). Payment postmark "PD" (Paid to Destination) cachet, handwritten rate "15"
1860 (28 Jun) Cover (on turned international stampless cover) from Chilleurs-aux-Bois (France) to Mouton (France), franked with 10c (France), tied by "853" in diamond of dots, postmark of Chilleurs-aux-Bois. Via Limoges and Paris and Limoges, transit T.P.O. postmark "LIMOGES A PARIS" June 29, 1860. No arrival postmark. 1860 (21 May) turned international stampless cover from San Francisco (USA) to Chilleurs-aux-Bois (France). Payment postmark "PD" (Paid to Destination) cachet, handwritten rate "15"
$250
1786 Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Paris (France) to Genova (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "20", black triangle postmark with "P" (Paid). No arrival postmark
1786 Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Paris (France) to Genova (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "20", black triangle postmark with "P" (Paid). No arrival postmark
$25
1728 (7 Jan) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Perpignan (France) to Narbonne (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "3", black linear "DE PERPIGNAN" postmark
1728 (7 Jan) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Perpignan (France) to Narbonne (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "3", black linear "DE PERPIGNAN" postmark
$50
1930 (16 Nov) Registered cover from Tourane (Indo-China) to Can-Tho (Indo-China), franked with two 5c and 10c (Indo-China), canceled by Tourane postmark. Via Saigon-Central (Indo-China) November 23, 1930 on back. Arrive in Shanghai November 24, 1930
1930 (16 Nov) Registered cover from Tourane (Indo-China) to Can-Tho (Indo-China), franked with two 5c and 10c (Indo-China), canceled by Tourane postmark. Via Saigon-Central (Indo-China) November 23, 1930 on back. Arrive in Shanghai November 24, 1930
$25
1939 (13 Nov) International airmail cover from Cotonou (Dahomey) to Paimpol (France), franked by 40c, 1f and 2f (Dahomey), tied by Cotonou postmark, circular purple cachet "CONTROLE POSTAL * AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANCAISE * Commission G" at left. Arrive in Paimpol, date unreadable
1939 (13 Nov) International airmail cover from Cotonou (Dahomey) to Paimpol (France), franked by 40c, 1f and 2f (Dahomey), tied by Cotonou postmark, circular purple cachet "CONTROLE POSTAL * AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANCAISE * Commission G" at left. Arrive in Paimpol, date unreadable
$100
1935 (23 Mar) International cover from Hanoi (Indo-China) to Cholon (Indo-China), franked with 5c (Indo-China), canceled by Hanoi postmark. Arrive in Cholon March 27, 1935.
1935 (23 Mar) International cover from Hanoi (Indo-China) to Cholon (Indo-China), franked with 5c (Indo-China), canceled by Hanoi postmark. Arrive in Cholon March 27, 1935.
$20
1908 (10 Nov) International letter from Bamako (Upper Senegal & Niger) to Toulouse (France), franked by 10c (Upper Senegal & Niger), tied by Bamako postmark. Via Kayes November 12, 1908. Arrive in Toulouse November 30, 1908
1908 (10 Nov) International letter from Bamako (Upper Senegal & Niger) to Toulouse (France), franked by 10c (Upper Senegal & Niger), tied by Bamako postmark. Via Kayes November 12, 1908. Arrive in Toulouse November 30, 1908
$40
1906 (4 Apr) International cover from Ksar-el-Kbir (Morocco) to Lisbon (Portugal), franked with 5c with overprint 5c and a pair of 10c with overprint 10c (French Post Offices in Morocco), tied by Ksar-el-Kbir postmark, handwritten directive "Particulier", what means "Private". Via Tanger April 5, 1906. No arrival postmark
1906 (4 Apr) International cover from Ksar-el-Kbir (Morocco) to Lisbon (Portugal), franked with 5c with overprint 5c and a pair of 10c with overprint 10c (French Post Offices in Morocco), tied by Ksar-el-Kbir postmark, handwritten directive "Particulier", what means "Private". Via Tanger April 5, 1906. No arrival postmark
$20
1839 (26 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Baume-les-Dames (France) to Saint-Claude (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "4", Baume-les-Dames origin postmark. Via Lons-le-Saunier March 26, 1839. Arrive in Saint-Claude March 27, 1839
1839 (26 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Baume-les-Dames (France) to Saint-Claude (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "4", Baume-les-Dames origin postmark. Via Lons-le-Saunier March 26, 1839. Arrive in Saint-Claude March 27, 1839
$20