Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 6

Austrian Post Office in Smirna 1841/69: The pre-stamp collection of covers/entire letters (15) with two showing the first type "SMIRNA" straight line handstamp (Tchilinghirian fig. 1), both superb, one with extensive chisel slits for disinfection; covers (5) to London or Trieste with two line dated "SMYRNE" datestamps in black and carried at differing rates, 1855/65 covers (6) with "SMIRNE" cds in black prepaid to Vienna and Trieste, and unpaid covers to Vienna, Paris and Trieste; and 1868 and 1869 covers cancelled on despatch with "SMIRNE" thimble datestamps in black or blue. A generally extremely fine and attractive group.