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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3006

(x) Ottoman Albania (1718-1912)
Mail Originating in Ottoman Albania
1854 (Oct. 2). Registered letter from Urbanus Bogdanovic, Bishop of the Diocese of Skopje, during his mission in Scutari (Shkodër), to the Central Council of the Congregation for the Promotion of the Faith in Lyon, France. The letter was transported by horse courier from Scutari to Cattaro (Kotor), then consigned to the Austrian P.O. (7.10), charged at a 43 kreuzer rate (25 + 18 on reverse), with excellent strikes of “raccom:” and "cattaro/7. otte." h.s.; it was then transported to Zara (Zadar), backstamped en route, before crossing Austrian Empire territories to follow the northbound German States route through Bavaria, where it was stamped in red “chargé” on the front to denote registration, alongside the framed “PD” and red French Valenciennes entry c.d.s., with backstamps in Paris and Lyon. Wax seal on the reverse from the French Sanitary Direction with a cross on front confirming that it was disinfected. A fascinating usage and unique following this very rare postal route, avoiding a shorter but more hazardous journey through the war-affected territories of Lombardy-Venetia and Sardinia; in addition, a rare, registered mail from this office.

provenance: Markus Gmähle

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£500 to £800

Starting price
£420