Grossbrit. Britische Post in der Türkei - Stamp Auctions

Lot 7117 - Grossbrit. Britische Post in der Türkei - Corinphila Auction AG Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

British Post Office in Beirut 1876 (Aug 24): Combination letter sheet from Beirut to Lyon bearing Great Britain 1876/79 2½ d. rosy mauve pl. 3 tied by ‘G06’ obliterator with “BRITISH POST OFFICE / BEYROUT” cds in black alongside (Aug 24) paying the single GPU rate to Alexandria. In addition, France Cérès 1872 30 c. brown was added, tied by "ALEXANDRIE / EGYPTE" datestamp in black (Aug 28). Reverse with British ALEXANDRIA, "MARSEILLE - LYON SPECIAL" transit and indistinct LYON arrival cds's. An attractive combination cover after the foundation of the General Postal Union, cert. PF (1997). 

Notes:
A British postal agency was opened in Beirut on 20 March 1873 and the ‘G06’ obliterator used there. Combination frankings with French or Italian adhesives occur as mail to France or Italy, respectively went via the British packet to Alexandria and then by either French or Italian packets to Europe. One has to assume that the French adhesives had been added to the letter already in Beirut. In his 2000 census, Alexander Kaczmarczyk noted 32 covers with combination frankings of Great Britain and France between September 1873 and October 1876.
After the foundation of the GPU in July 1875, the British vessel rate from Beirut to Alexandria was increased from 2 d. to the new 2½ d. GPU rate, while the French part stayed at the pre-GPU rate of 80 centimes. After France joined the GPU in January 1876 the GPU rates of 2½ d. and 30 c., respectively had to be paid for both parts of the Beirut - Alexandria - France journey although it is not clear why this was necessary at all as all involved postal administrations had been members of the General Postal Union.
Provenance: Robert Siegel sale 768 (June 1995), lot 1526.

Corinphila Auction AG Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

Lot 7118 - Grossbrit. Britische Post in der Türkei - Corinphila Auction AG Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

British Post Office in Beirut: 1906 Beyrout Provisional 1 pi. on 2 d., a fresh and fine example with full unmounted og. A rare stamp with a print run of just 480, signed A. Diena, opinion E. Diean (1986); cert. Sismondo (1999) Gi = £ 700.

Corinphila Auction AG Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

Lot 7119 - Grossbrit. Britische Post in der Türkei - Corinphila Auction AG Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

British Post Office in Beirut 1906 (July 3): 1906 Beyrout Provisional 1 pi. on 2 d., tied by oval "REGISTERED / BEYROUT" registration datestamp to piece. A rare stamp with a print run of just 480. Signed Calves Gi = £ 700+.

Corinphila Auction AG Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

Lot 7120 - Grossbrit. Britische Post in der Türkei - Corinphila Auction AG Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

British Post Office in Beirut 1906 (July 3): Envelope from Beirut to Alexandria, bearing 1906 Beyrout Provisional 1 pi. on 2 d., tied by oval "REGISTERED / BEYROUT" registration datestamp, circular datestamp alongside. Reverse with bilingual ALEXANDRIE arrival (July 5) cds. A fine and fresh cover with this rare stamp, one of the few not sent registered in spite of the wrong cancellation. Cert. Sismondo (1999) Gi = £ 2'100 on cover.

Note: Under the authority of the British Vice-consul at Beirut, who was also the Postmaster, two sheets totalling 480 stamps of the 2 d. value overprinted LEVANT (SG L4) were provisionally surcharged ‘ 1 Piastre’. The surcharging was done at The American Press under the supervision of Mr. Fryer, who was an American and a director of The Press, and an Englishman named Glockler who was the manager of the printing department.
Provenance: Heinrich Köhler sale 174 (Oct 1963), lot 897.

Corinphila Auction AG Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5