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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

France & Colonies / French Post Offices in Levant, China, Africa
Cover Postal History
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Rare Stamps and Postal History of The World
Auction 60
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United States United States , Black Mountain , NC

Rare Stamps and Postal History of The World. The auction is currently being prepared, with new lots added weekly.

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Postal History of The World
December, 2026
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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
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
$1
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
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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
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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
$1
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
$1
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
$1
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
$1
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
$1
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
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1787 (21 May) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Paris (France) to Genova (Italy), payment postmark, black triangle cachet with "P" (Paid), handwritten rate probably "22"
1787 (21 May) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Paris (France) to Genova (Italy), payment postmark, black triangle cachet with "P" (Paid), handwritten rate probably "22"
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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
$1
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
$1
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"
$1
1918 (9 Fev) Free military international cover from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) circular cachet "CHEMIN DE FER DE LA COTE D'IVOIRE / LA DIRECTION" what mean "Ivory Coast Railway / Management". Arrive in Paris March 1918
1918 (9 Fev) Free military international cover from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) circular cachet "CHEMIN DE FER DE LA COTE D'IVOIRE / LA DIRECTION" what mean "Ivory Coast Railway / Management". Arrive in Paris March 1918
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1939 (26 Aug) International airmail cover from Nioro (French Sudan) to Paris (France), franked with 10c, 40c and 3fr (French Sudan) canceled by Nioro postmark. Via Kayes September 2, 1939. Via Dakar Avion September 3, 1939. No arrival postmark
1939 (26 Aug) International airmail cover from Nioro (French Sudan) to Paris (France), franked with 10c, 40c and 3fr (French Sudan) canceled by Nioro postmark. Via Kayes September 2, 1939. Via Dakar Avion September 3, 1939. No arrival postmark
$1
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
$1
1852 (25 May) Сover from Sens-sur-Yonne (France) to Chatillon-sur-Seine (France), franked with 25c (France), tied by "2878" in diamond of dots postmark. Sens-sur-Yonne origin postmark. Arrive in Chatillon-sur-Seine May 26, 1852
1852 (25 May) Сover from Sens-sur-Yonne (France) to Chatillon-sur-Seine (France), franked with 25c (France), tied by "2878" in diamond of dots postmark. Sens-sur-Yonne origin postmark. Arrive in Chatillon-sur-Seine May 26, 1852
$1
1828 (5 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Marseille (France) to Genoa (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "17", black Marseille line postmark. Arrive in Genoa March 8, 1828
1828 (5 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Marseille (France) to Genoa (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "17", black Marseille line postmark. Arrive in Genoa March 8, 1828
$1
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
$1
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.
$1
1915 (10 Nov) Registered international cover from Hanoi (Indo-China) to Shanghai (China), franked with Red Cross semi-postal 10c + 5c, and 25c (Indo-China), canceled by Hanoi postmark. Via Haiphong (Indo-China) November 10, 1915, on the back side. Arrive in Shanghai November 23, 1915. Extremely rare, postmark on back "Shanghai Local Post, China"
1915 (10 Nov) Registered international cover from Hanoi (Indo-China) to Shanghai (China), franked with Red Cross semi-postal 10c + 5c, and 25c (Indo-China), canceled by Hanoi postmark. Via Haiphong (Indo-China) November 10, 1915, on the back side. Arrive in Shanghai November 23, 1915. Extremely rare, postmark on back "Shanghai Local Post, China"
$1
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
$1
1841 (19 Jul) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Pont-l'Abbé (France) to Bordeaux (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "8". Pont-l'Abbé origin postmark. Via Quimper July 19, 1841. Via Nantes July 21, 1841
1841 (19 Jul) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Pont-l'Abbé (France) to Bordeaux (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "8". Pont-l'Abbé origin postmark. Via Quimper July 19, 1841. Via Nantes July 21, 1841
$1
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
$1