Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

Russian P.O. in Alexandretta 1878 (June 19): Large-sized envelope from Constantinople to the Persian consulate in Alexandretta, bearing Russian Levant 1876 10 kop. carmine & green surcharged '8' kop. in black, pair and single example, tied by "KONSTANTIN" despatch cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig 12), ALEKSANDRETA cds (Tchilinghirian fig 200) in the same shade alongside.
Note: A rare multiple usage of this surcharged adhesive, issued in Constantinople. Most other Levant offices sold the 10 kopeck adhesives at the new rates of 8 kop. from 1876 or 7 kop. from 1879, respectively.
Provenance: DF sale (May 2004), lot 30240.