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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"

France & Colonies / France (1849-1900)

Via Paris T.P.O."Marseille a Paris February 18, 1866, on reverse red oval "Custom House, San Francisco, Cal. / Auditor's Office / Mar 22, 1866". Arrive in San Francisco March 22, 1866. No arrival postmark

Catalog: Michel 23а
Catalog value: $140
Cover Postal History
Current Bid:
$100
Your maximum bid:
$100
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Auction Information
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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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"
$250
1864 (Jun) International cover from Lille (France) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), franked by three 40c (France), canceled by "2246" in diamond of dots postmark, payment postmark red rectangular "PD". Blue oval "A. LONGHAYE / FILS & LINS. LILLE" sender's cachet. Arrive in Amsterdam June 16, 1864
1864 (Jun) International cover from Lille (France) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), franked by three 40c (France), canceled by "2246" in diamond of dots postmark, payment postmark red rectangular "PD". Blue oval "A. LONGHAYE / FILS & LINS. LILLE" sender's cachet. Arrive in Amsterdam June 16, 1864
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1860 (6 Dec) Letter sheet from Mayenne (France) to Paris (France), franked with a pair of 20c (France) canceled by a diamond dot postmark. Arrive in Paris January 5, 1861
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1856 (27 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) French P.O. to Marseille (France), Constantinople origin postmark. Payment postmark handwritten "20" decimes rate marking on front. Arrive in Marseille April 6, 1856
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1838 (13 Nov) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Bayeux (France) to Bordeaux (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "8", Bayeux postmark. Via Paris November 15, 1838. Arrive in Bordeaux November 16, 1838
1838 (13 Nov) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Bayeux (France) to Bordeaux (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "8", Bayeux postmark. Via Paris November 15, 1838. Arrive in Bordeaux November 16, 1838
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1936 (15 Dec) Cover from Fort Bayard/Kouang Tcheou-Wan, (Indo-China) to Hanoi (Indo-China), franked with 20c, and 1$ (Indo-China), canceled by Fort Bayard/Kouang Tcheou-Wan postmark. Arrive in Hanoi December 18, 1936. Extremely rare postmark Fort Bayard/Kouang Tcheou-Wan
1936 (15 Dec) Cover from Fort Bayard/Kouang Tcheou-Wan, (Indo-China) to Hanoi (Indo-China), franked with 20c, and 1$ (Indo-China), canceled by Fort Bayard/Kouang Tcheou-Wan postmark. Arrive in Hanoi December 18, 1936. Extremely rare postmark Fort Bayard/Kouang Tcheou-Wan
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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
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1848 (02 Jul) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Dunkerque (France) to St. Ghislain (Belgium), payment postmark handwritten rate "4". Black cachet "R. FRONT.". Dunkerque origin postmark. Via Lille July 3, 1848. Arrive in St. Ghislain July 3, 1848
1848 (02 Jul) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Dunkerque (France) to St. Ghislain (Belgium), payment postmark handwritten rate "4". Black cachet "R. FRONT.". Dunkerque origin postmark. Via Lille July 3, 1848. Arrive in St. Ghislain July 3, 1848
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1785 Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Aix (France) to St. Maximin (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "4". "AIX" straightline postmark
1785 Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Aix (France) to St. Maximin (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "4". "AIX" straightline postmark
$25
1834 (19 Sep) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Lyon (France) to Arbois (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "4". Lyon origin postmark. Blue boxed forwarding agent cachet "J.J. BERNARD FILS DE BENOIT / LYON". Arrive in Arbois 1834
1834 (19 Sep) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Lyon (France) to Arbois (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "4". Lyon origin postmark. Blue boxed forwarding agent cachet "J.J. BERNARD FILS DE BENOIT / LYON". Arrive in Arbois 1834
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1839 (26 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Baume-les-Dames (France) to Saint-Claude (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "4", Baume-les-Dames origin postmark. Via Lons-le-Saunier March 26, 1839. Arrive in Saint-Claude March 27, 1839
1839 (26 Mar) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Baume-les-Dames (France) to Saint-Claude (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "4", Baume-les-Dames origin postmark. Via Lons-le-Saunier March 26, 1839. Arrive in Saint-Claude March 27, 1839
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1840 (15 Dec) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Marseille (France) to Lyon (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "6", Marseille postmark. Arrive in Lyon December 16, 1840
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1939 (21 Apr) International cover from Saigon (Indo-China) to New Orlean (USA), franked with 20c and 1$ (Indo-China), canceled by Saigon postmark. Via Hong Kong (China), May 2, 1939. No arrival postmark
1939 (21 Apr) International cover from Saigon (Indo-China) to New Orlean (USA), franked with 20c and 1$ (Indo-China), canceled by Saigon postmark. Via Hong Kong (China), May 2, 1939. No arrival postmark
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1847 (28 Dec) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Paris (France) to New York (USA). Greene & Co. (Forwarding Agent Cachet). Arrive in New York January 26, 1847. Red oval cachet "BOYD'S CITY / JAN 26 / 12 / EXPRESS POST". Upon arrival in America, it was handled by Boyd's City Express Post
1847 (28 Dec) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Paris (France) to New York (USA). Greene & Co. (Forwarding Agent Cachet). Arrive in New York January 26, 1847. Red oval cachet "BOYD'S CITY / JAN 26 / 12 / EXPRESS POST". Upon arrival in America, it was handled by Boyd's City Express Post
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1830 (11 Jun) Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from La Rochelle (France), payment postmark handwritten rate probably "44" red cachet rate "F.R.5", (Lettre des Pays-Bas 5ème Rayon) Rochelle postmark
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1792 Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Marseille (France) to St. Hippolyte (France), cash payment postmark, handwritten rate "4". Black linear "BORDEAUX" postmark.
1792 Pre-philatelic stampless letter sheet from Marseille (France) to St. Hippolyte (France), cash payment postmark, handwritten rate "4". Black linear "BORDEAUX" postmark.
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