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¢).
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Realized: $525