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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

France & Colonies / French Post Offices in Levant, China, Africa
Cover Postal History
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$25
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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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$200
1899 (10 Aug) Registered cover within Djibouti (Somali Coast/Djibouti/Protectorat Côte des Somalis), franked with overprinted 0.40c on 4fr (Somali Coast) tied by Djibouti postmark, blue rectangular "R" registration cachet. Arrive in Djibouti August 10, 1899
1899 (10 Aug) Registered cover within Djibouti (Somali Coast/Djibouti/Protectorat Côte des Somalis), franked with overprinted 0.40c on 4fr (Somali Coast) tied by Djibouti postmark, blue rectangular "R" registration cachet. Arrive in Djibouti August 10, 1899
$150
1906 (8 Mar) Cover within Vohemar (Madagascar), franked by 10c with green three-line administrative cachet "0,05 / Affranchi ainsi / faute de figurines" whats mean "O franked thus / for lack of stamps" (Madagascar), tied by Vohemar postmark. Arrive in Vohemar March 8, 1906
1906 (8 Mar) Cover within Vohemar (Madagascar), franked by 10c with green three-line administrative cachet "0,05 / Affranchi ainsi / faute de figurines" whats mean "O franked thus / for lack of stamps" (Madagascar), tied by Vohemar postmark. Arrive in Vohemar March 8, 1906
$40
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
1860 (6 Dec) Letter sheet from Mayenne (France) to Paris (France), franked with a pair of 20c (France) canceled by a diamond dot postmark. Arrive in Paris January 5, 1861
1860 (6 Dec) Letter sheet from Mayenne (France) to Paris (France), franked with a pair of 20c (France) canceled by a diamond dot postmark. Arrive in Paris January 5, 1861
$25
1870 (09 Dec) Balloon mail/Par Ballon Monté letter sheet from Paris (France) to Dieppe (France) siege of Paris, franked with 20c (France), tied by "11" star cancel postmark, black circular PARIS R. St. HONORE cds postmark, handwritten routing directive "Par ballon monté", what means "By piloted balloon", handwritten directive "Faire suivre en cas de départ", what means "Forward in case of departure". via Le Général Renault balloon. No arrival postmark. Extremely rare
1870 (09 Dec) Balloon mail/Par Ballon Monté letter sheet from Paris (France) to Dieppe (France) siege of Paris, franked with 20c (France), tied by "11" star cancel postmark, black circular PARIS R. St. HONORE cds postmark, handwritten routing directive "Par ballon monté", what means "By piloted balloon", handwritten directive "Faire suivre en cas de départ", what means "Forward in case of departure". via Le Général Renault balloon. No arrival postmark. Extremely rare
$250
1838 (28 Jun) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet Marseille (France) to Lyon (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "6", Marseille origin postmark. Arrive in Lyon June 29, 1838
1838 (28 Jun) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet Marseille (France) to Lyon (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "6", Marseille origin postmark. Arrive in Lyon June 29, 1838
$20
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
1907 (3 Oct) Registered international mail cover from Cayenne (French Guiana) to Los Angeles (USA), franked by pair 25c (French Guiana) tied by Cayenne postmark. Via New York October 22, 1907. No arrival postmark
1907 (3 Oct) Registered international mail cover from Cayenne (French Guiana) to Los Angeles (USA), franked by pair 25c (French Guiana) tied by Cayenne postmark. Via New York October 22, 1907. No arrival postmark
$50
1867 (7 May) International cover from Mulhouse (France) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), franked with 20c and four 40c (France), tied by "2578" in bold diamond of dots postmark, Mulhouse postmark. Red rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination) cachet, green oval forwarding agent cachet "STEINBACH, KOECHLIN & C-ie / MULHOUSE", Arrive in Amsterdam May 9, 1867
1867 (7 May) International cover from Mulhouse (France) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), franked with 20c and four 40c (France), tied by "2578" in bold diamond of dots postmark, Mulhouse postmark. Red rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination) cachet, green oval forwarding agent cachet "STEINBACH, KOECHLIN & C-ie / MULHOUSE", Arrive in Amsterdam May 9, 1867
$25
1866 (17 Feb) International letter sheet from Marseille (France) to San Francisco (USA), franked with two 80c (France), tied by "2240" in bold diamond of dots postmark, payment rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination), red cachet rate "18", Marseille origin postmark. Grey oval forwarding agent cachet "HONORÉ ARNAVON / MARSEILLE"
1866 (17 Feb) International letter sheet from Marseille (France) to San Francisco (USA), franked with two 80c (France), tied by "2240" in bold diamond of dots postmark, payment rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination), red cachet rate "18", Marseille origin postmark. Grey oval forwarding agent cachet "HONORÉ ARNAVON / MARSEILLE"
$100
1862 (30 Aug) International letter sheet from Paris (France) to Leipzig (Germany), franked with 10c and 40c (France) on front, tied by "D" in bold diamond of dots postmark, red rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination) cachet, Paris origin postmark. Blue oval forwarding agent cachet "S. CORNEAU / PARIS". Red circular unreadable Prussian transit postmark August 31, 1862. On reverse black circular "AUSGABE" arrival postmark, what means delivery . Arrive in Leipzig September 1, 1862
1862 (30 Aug) International letter sheet from Paris (France) to Leipzig (Germany), franked with 10c and 40c (France) on front, tied by "D" in bold diamond of dots postmark, red rectangular "PD" (Paid to Destination) cachet, Paris origin postmark. Blue oval forwarding agent cachet "S. CORNEAU / PARIS". Red circular unreadable Prussian transit postmark August 31, 1862. On reverse black circular "AUSGABE" arrival postmark, what means delivery . Arrive in Leipzig September 1, 1862
$25
1942 (21 Aug) Censored cover from Papeete (Tahiti, French Oceania) to Vaitape (Bora Bora), franked with 1fr (French Polynesia), tied by Papeete postmark, "Contrôle postal militaire" censor tape, tied by "CONTROLE" censor postmark on front and "OUVERT / PAR / L'AUTORITE MILITAIRE", what means "Opened by Military Authority on back side. No arrival postmark
1942 (21 Aug) Censored cover from Papeete (Tahiti, French Oceania) to Vaitape (Bora Bora), franked with 1fr (French Polynesia), tied by Papeete postmark, "Contrôle postal militaire" censor tape, tied by "CONTROLE" censor postmark on front and "OUVERT / PAR / L'AUTORITE MILITAIRE", what means "Opened by Military Authority on back side. No arrival postmark
$20
1917 (5 Nov) International censored cover from Bizerte (Tunisia) to Heliopolis (Egypt), franked by Tunisia 5c (pair) and 15c overpfint on 10c (Tunisia), tied by Bizerte postmarks, military censor tape tied by French military censor cachets "OUVERT Par l'AUTORITE MILITAIRE / 876" at left and right, rectangular British censor cachet "PASSED / CENSOR" in green. Via Cairo November 30, 1917. Arrive in Heliopolis November 30, 1917
1917 (5 Nov) International censored cover from Bizerte (Tunisia) to Heliopolis (Egypt), franked by Tunisia 5c (pair) and 15c overpfint on 10c (Tunisia), tied by Bizerte postmarks, military censor tape tied by French military censor cachets "OUVERT Par l'AUTORITE MILITAIRE / 876" at left and right, rectangular British censor cachet "PASSED / CENSOR" in green. Via Cairo November 30, 1917. Arrive in Heliopolis November 30, 1917
$25
1838 (13 Nov) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Bayeux (France) to Bordeaux (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "8", Bayeux postmark. Via Paris November 15, 1838. Arrive in Bordeaux November 16, 1838
1838 (13 Nov) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Bayeux (France) to Bordeaux (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "8", Bayeux postmark. Via Paris November 15, 1838. Arrive in Bordeaux November 16, 1838
$25
1920 (27 Aug) International cover from Homs (Syria) to Cairo (Egypt), franked with a pair of 5m (Syria), canceled Homs postmarks. Via Beirut. Arrive in Cairo September 3, 1920.
1920 (27 Aug) International cover from Homs (Syria) to Cairo (Egypt), franked with a pair of 5m (Syria), canceled Homs postmarks. Via Beirut. Arrive in Cairo September 3, 1920.
$20