Lot
5222 
(Ottoman Empire) 1874 (Mar. 7) Fort Garland, Colorado Terr. to Cairo, Egypt, cover from the Lieut. Col. James Basell correspondence bearing 3¢ green (158) and 7¢ orange vermilion (160) horizontal pair tied by light quartered cork cancels, matching "Fort Garland, Colo., Mar 7" third-type cds, red "New York, Paid All, May 17" exchange cds and red crayon "10" cent credit rating, carried by Guion Manhattan from New York Mar. 17th to Queenstown arriving Mar. 29th, "P.D." paid direct handstamp and blue crayon "Wf 4" credit rating, reverse with Brindisi and Alexandria (4.10) transits, Cairo arrival postmark, with original four-page enclosure with interesting content regarding events at the fort and Indian problems in area "…It is just possible that the hostile attitude of Mr Lo. in various parts of the county may stay the already whetted axe and uplifted hand already to send the fatal blow. One officer & some men so far - Lt. Robinson - have been killed by the Sioux. I believe, the Hualapi Apachi in Arizona appear to be on the eve of an attack"; repaired cover nick at lower left edge and backflap refolded to show stamps that were folded over edge, F.-V.F. appearance, A wonderful usage to Egypt from Fort Garland at the 17¢ Closed Mail rate., ex-Bauer. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (85KB)
Realized: $1,250
Lot
5223
(Ottoman Empire) 1874 (May 12) Kansas to Cairo, Egypt, amber cover from the Bassell correspondence bearing 6¢ dull pink (159) and 10¢ brown (161), tied by blue cork cancels duplexed with partial "Kans., May 12" cds, red "New York, Paid All, May 21" exchange cds and red crayon "10" cent credit, carried by Hapag Line Pommerania from New York May 21st to Hamburg arriving Jun. 2nd, German "Wf 4" credit rating, reverse with Trieste (6.5) oval, Alexandria transits and Cairo arrival cds; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine and scarce use at the 16¢ direct mail rate to Egypt. Estimate $500 - 750.
The most common source of letters to Egypt through the NGU is the correspondence of James Bassell, an 1867 West Point graduate who served as a Lieutenant Colonel of Engineers in the Egyptian Army in 1874.
Cover was sent over the Brenner Pass via Brindisi, an Italian port with weekly packet service to Alexandria, Egypt. The red "10" is the credit to the NGU, and the red "Wf 4" is a restatement of the transit fee of 4 sgr (10¢).
Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (83KB)
Realized: $525
Lot
5224
(Ottoman Empire) 1874 (May 18) Clarksburgh W.V. to Cairo, Egypt, amber Bassel correspondence cover bearing 1¢ ultramarine (156) and 15¢ yellow orange (163), tied by "Clarksburgh W.V., May 18" duplex, endorsed "Via Brindisi Italy", red "New York, Paid All, May 19" exchange cds and red crayon "10" credit to N.G.U., carried by Eagle Line Herder from New York May 19th to Hamburg Jun. 1st, slanted "P.D." handstamp, red crayon "Wf 4" 4 sgr credit rating for transit fee from NGU to Egypt, reverse with Trieste (6.5) oval, Alexandria and Cairo (6.11) arrival cds, still a Very Fine use at the 16¢ NGU Direct rate to Egypt, ex-Starnes, Pacetti. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $325
Lot
5225
(Ottoman Empire) 1869 (Jun. 8) Newark, N.J. to Beirut, Syria, yellow cover with preprinted address bearing two 10¢ yellow green, F Grill (96) singles, different shades, one slightly creased, each cancelled by cork duplexed with "Newark, N.J. Jun 8" cds, red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit, May 9" exchange backstamp (wrong month) and matching red "5" cent in circle credit handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Java from New York Jun. 9th to Queenstown arriving Jun. 18th, red "Verviers, Cologne, Franco" (6.20) transit and matching "Wfco 2" credit handstamp, Trieste (6.22) transit backstamp, Beirut (7.5) arrival cds, repaired at top center, backflap removed, right 10¢ creased, Fine, A colorful and rare usage to Syria at the 20¢ North German Union Mails rate. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $900
Lot
5226
(Ottoman Empire) 1870 (Apr. 19) Middleborough, Mass. to Constantinople, Turkey, tissue paper cover from the Washburn correspondence bearing 15¢ brown & blue (119), rich colors, cancelled by cork duplexed with "Middleborough, Mass. Apr 19" cds and tied by red "Boston, Paid All, Direct, Apr 20" exchange cds, red crayon "5" credit rating, carried by NGL Line Hermann from New York Apr. 21st to Bremen arriving May 4th, red "Bremen, Franco, 4/5 70" framed transit and matching red "Weiterfr. 2 Sgr" framed handstamp restating credit in silbergroschen, Norddeutsche Post (5.9) arrival backstamp; small edge repair at top just affecting cds rim, Very Fine appearance. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
ONE OF FINEST OF ONLY SIX RECORDED 15¢ 1869 COVERS TO TURKEY.
In US publications, quotes of postage rates were given for "Turkey", which actually.
Realized: $1,600
Lot
5227
(Ottoman Empire) 1873 (Nov. 22) New York, N.Y. to Constantinople, Turkey, blue cover bearing 2¢ red brown (146) and 3¢ green (147) pair and single, tied by Boston Foreign Mail circle of wedges cancels, bold red "New York, Paid All, Nov 22" exchange cds and red crayon "4" cent credit rating, carried by White Star Line Baltic from New York Nov. 22nd to Queenstown arriving Dec. 1st, German Post (12.15) arrival backstamp; stamp flaws, F.-V.F. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $140