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Lot 984
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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

France & Colonies / Dahomey
Catalog: Scott 62, 78, 84
Catalog value: $185
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 major auction showcasing exceptional rarities and distinguished collections. 9,570 lots of valuable 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
Worldwide 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 - 5418
Russian Civil War: South Russia
Lots 5419 - 5712
Russian Civil War: Revenues, Siberia, Caucasus
Lots 5713 - 5895
Russian Empire, Wenden, Zemstvo, Cinderellas
Lots 5896 - 6165
Russian Offices Abroad
Lots 6166 - 6338
Russian Postal History
Lots 6339 - 6557
RSFSR, Soviet Union, Tannu Tuva
Lots 6558 - 7107
Ukraine: Underground Post
Lots 7108 - 7832
Ukraine: Territories, DP Camps, Plast
Lots 7833 - 8356
Yevhen Vyrovyi Tridents Collection
Lots 8357 - 9138
Yevhen Vyrovyi Tridents Collection: Podolia
Lots 9139 - 9462
Yevhen Vyrovyi Tridents Collection: Postal History
Lots 9463 - 9570
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1781 Pre-philatelic stampless international disinfected letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) to Marseille (France), Via Austria black straightline "D'AUSTRICH" postmark on front, payment postmark handwritten rate probably "34". Manuscript forwarder notation "Pour d'un m.r Hen. Stamnitz a Vienne" on reverse. Arrive in Marseille August 25, 1781
1781 Pre-philatelic stampless international disinfected letter sheet from Constantinople (Turkey) to Marseille (France), Via Austria black straightline "D'AUSTRICH" postmark on front, payment postmark handwritten rate probably "34". Manuscript forwarder notation "Pour d'un m.r Hen. Stamnitz a Vienne" on reverse. Arrive in Marseille August 25, 1781
$100
1782 (28 Aug) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Paris (France) to Genova (Italy), payment postmark, black triangle cachet with "P" (Paid), handwritten rate probably "20"
1782 (28 Aug) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter sheet from Paris (France) to Genova (Italy), payment postmark, black triangle cachet with "P" (Paid), handwritten rate probably "20"
$25
1900 International journal wrapper from Obock to Graz (Austria), franked by two 15c (Obock) tied by blue unreadable postmarks. Arrive in Graz March 28, 1900
1900 International journal wrapper from Obock to Graz (Austria), franked by two 15c (Obock) tied by blue unreadable postmarks. Arrive in Graz March 28, 1900
$100
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
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
1844 (11 May) Pre-philatelic international stampless letter sheet from Marseille (France) to Genoa (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "17", Marseille origin postmark. Black linear transit stamp "VIA DI NIZZA". Via Antibes May 15, 1844. Arrive in Genoa May 15 (red cachet "15. MAGGIO"), 1844
1844 (11 May) Pre-philatelic international stampless letter sheet from Marseille (France) to Genoa (Italy), payment postmark handwritten rate "17", Marseille origin postmark. Black linear transit stamp "VIA DI NIZZA". Via Antibes May 15, 1844. Arrive in Genoa May 15 (red cachet "15. MAGGIO"), 1844
$25
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"
$150
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
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
$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
$20
1936 (15 Dec) Cover from Fort Bayard/Kouang Tcheou-Wan, (Indo-China) to Hanoi (Indo-China), franked with 20c, and 1$ (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
$100
1853 (25 Oct) Stampless letter sheet from Bourges (France) to Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "10", Bourges origin postmark. Black boxed forwarding agent cachet "Grenouillet-Domont / A Bourges". Arrive in Cosne October 26, 1853
1853 (25 Oct) Stampless letter sheet from Bourges (France) to Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "10", Bourges origin postmark. Black boxed forwarding agent cachet "Grenouillet-Domont / A Bourges". Arrive in Cosne October 26, 1853
$25
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"
$25
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
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
1849 (10 Oct) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter from Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) to Bar-le-Duc (France) and reforwarded to Schlestadt (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "15" on front. Red rectangular "COLONIES &c ART.13" cachet, handwritten directive "Voie d'Angleterre", what means "Via England", on reverse two red circular British transit postmarks November 2, 1849
1849 (10 Oct) Pre-philatelic stampless international letter from Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) to Bar-le-Duc (France) and reforwarded to Schlestadt (France), payment postmark handwritten rate "15" on front. Red rectangular "COLONIES &c ART.13" cachet, handwritten directive "Voie d'Angleterre", what means "Via England", on reverse two red circular British transit postmarks November 2, 1849
$37
1921 (23 Apr) Registered cover from Damascus (Syria under Arab Government) to Sydney (Australia), franked with (Syria), canceled by Damascus postmarks. Via London (Red Reg cnl May 7, 1921). Arrive in Sydney June 14, 1921. Rare route
1921 (23 Apr) Registered cover from Damascus (Syria under Arab Government) to Sydney (Australia), franked with (Syria), canceled by Damascus postmarks. Via London (Red Reg cnl May 7, 1921). Arrive in Sydney June 14, 1921. Rare route
$200
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
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.
$50
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
$20
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
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
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
$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
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