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Auction: 145 - Award Winning Collections Sale
Lot: 7

Iran 1902 (March-April) The Meched Provisional Issue Meched is the capital city of the province of Khorasan in Northeastern Iran.During the months of March and April of 1902, Victor Castaign, the Belgian Controller of Posts and Customs and the postmaster of Meched, on his own initiative and without proper permission from Teheran had these stamps printed. In view of this unauthorised action, Victor Castaign was dismissed and he was expelled from Iran. An Italian named Bernardi printed the Meched stamps by use of separate copper clichés for the centre and frame with the values inserted in the upper right and lower left corners by handstamps. The centre of the stamps show the initials of "V.C." standing for "Victor Castaign" and was taken from his signet ring. As a controlling measure Castaign initialled the Shahi values in red ink. The collection of these fascinating issues offered here comprises: 2ch. black. Only 500 printed Unused block of four, used pair on piece and a cancelled block of twelve. 3ch. black. Only 300 printed Cancelled strip of five. 5ch. black. Only 500 printed Used pair on piece, a single with variety "Farsi "5" in upper-left corner, double Farsi " 1" in upper right corner and figure "2" in lower left corner", the only recorded example of the inverted frame variety and two examples used on covers (this issue is particularly rare used on cover). 5ch. violet. Only 2,000 printed Cancelled horizontal pair, a horizontal strip of four, all with the error "Farsi figure" 5" inverted and values transposed, the fourth stamp with inverted Latin "2" for "5" and used with "BODJNOURD" cancellations which further enhances its rarity. A single used on a cover 12ch. light blue. Only 400 printed Used on piece, showing parts of the "piries union linen" paper makers watermark and with partial Russian Ashkabad transit date stamp below. Almost all the items offered above are accompanied by certificates of authenticity from noted experts.

Sold for
$50,000