1884, 7k. blue vertical strip of three tied by cds. of ”MERV ZAKASPS 6 NOV 1888” (today TURKMENISTAN) to cover to Finland with manuscript registration and Finnish arrival mark, the reverse flap with some small faults. MERV is located in the Turkoman KARA KUM DESERT, Merv was only occupied and annexed to the Transcaspian Oblast in 1884. THIS VERY RARE COVER COULD WELL BE EARLIEST RECORDED OF TURKMENISTAN AND A GREAT POSTAL HISTORY RARITY OF THAT REGION. (Note the earliest Merv cover included in the famous Liphschutz collection (Alevizos 1996) was only of 1912. A Chardzhui cover from 1888 in that same sale was estimated at 2500-3000 USD)