Lot No. 807

1854 (20 July): Folded entire letter to Athens, Greece bearing black oval ”AGENZIE DEL LLOYD AUSTRIACO / METELINO” handstamp and red crayon ”15” postage due, slit-disinfected, ornate transit and bs of Pireaus and Athens. Very Fine and of GREAT RARITY. ONLY THE FOLLOWING THREE COVERS BEARING THIS HANDSTAMP ARE RECORDED (one in blue and two in black): 1) 1854 our example, THE EARLIEST RECORDED DATE, ex Del Bianco collection. 2) 1858 (described as 1848 which is impossible as the agency opened in 1851) with a BLUE ! strike of the handstamp sent to Syra. Ex Arsman collection, DF may 2005 (lot 20195) estimated at 1000-1500 3) 1859 (23 sept) with a black strike sent to Mr Glavany in Constantinople Ex. Smith collection. Tchilinghirian had never seen a cover and only quotes for its existence Edwin Müller. A GREAT AUSTRIAN LEVANT RARITY. THE ISLAND OF LESBOS (AEGEAN ISLANDS) WAS PART OF TURKEY UNTIL 1912 AND NOW BELONGS TO GREECE