Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Beirut 1857 (April 23): Ingoing cover
originating from Maghera, Ireland, endorsed „Via Belgium“, and
directed
Austrian Lloyd P.O. in Beirut 1857 (April 23): Ingoing cover
originating from Maghera, Ireland, endorsed „Via Belgium“, and
directed first to Beirut, later forwarded with the Turkish Post to
Damascus, Syria, bearing Great Britain 2 d. blue and 6 d. violet
(2), cancelled by indistinct ‚318‘ numeral and tied additionally by
Prussian „AUS ENGLAND PER AACHEN / FRANCO“ handstamp in red. Red
„P.“ in oval and crossed penstrikes show full pre-payment. Reverse
with MAGHERA despatch cds in blue (March 15), London transit in red
as well as TRIEST transit (March 24) and “NACH ABGANG DER POST”
handstamp, both in black. Upon arrival in Beirut, front struck by
clear two-line „BEYRUT. / 23. APR.“ datestamp (Tranmer fig. 2) of
the Austrian P.O. and given to the ‘care of Mr. Black’. The new
address of the receiver Reverend Smiley Robson was noted in Arab on
the cover and the adhesives, the cover given to the Turkish Post
which struck its all-Arab intaglio handstamp (Coles & Walker no. 2)
on it. Front shows a handwritten arrival note (April 25, 1857). The
only known combination cover of a British franking with Turkish
prephilately, fine and most unusual, signed Holcombe & Pröschold
BPP, cert. Guy du Vachat BPP (2003). Note: In addition to the
spectacular combination of British franking and Turkish
prephilately, an unusual routing via Belgium and Austria which was
double the rate in comparison to the French packet. This may be due
to the better connections of the Austrian Lloyd to the Levant in
comparison to the French Messageries maritimes. Correct franking
with 1s 1d for a letter up to ¼ ounce plus 1d for a late fee. The
postage of 13 pence, equal to 11 ¼ silbergroschen, included 3
silbergroschen each for British and GAPU share, 1 silbergroschen
Belgian transit and 4 ¼ silbergroschen postage beyond Trieste. This
weiterfranko for the Lloyd is noted at lower left. Provenance:
Cihangir, Corinphila sale 121 (May 2000), lot 1041; DF sale (Dec
2005), lot 60037
