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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3163

(x) Wartime Transitional Period (1914-1920)
French Occupation of Korcë (1916-1920)
1917 (Jan. 26). Commercial envelope from Thessaloniki to Koritsa (Korçë), showing the dispatch c.d.s. but sent stampless, consequently taxed on arrival with "T" marking and the corresponding franking of 25l. on 3l. red, tied by "korytsa/albanie" (2.2) c.d.s., paying a foreign rate. Envelope with some creasing not effecting the adhesive, still quite fresh. To our knowledge, no more than five covers bearing this issue are recorded, and this is the only known example showing any value used as postage due on incoming mail. One of the top rarities of the local issues of Korçë. Michel III.

provenance: Robert Ballauri
note: This issue was provisionally produced in response to local demand for an operative postal service. It was in use for a short period from 26.12.1916 until February 1917, and approximately 1,000 examples of the 25c. on 3l. were produced. The French military postal service was involved in handling foreign mail, covering the route between Korçë and Thessaloniki. (This item was incorrectly described as doubtful in an article by an Albanian philatelist, who argued that the date of the Thessaloniki postmark was earlier than that of Korçë, mistakenly assuming that the cover originated in Korçë rather than Thessaloniki.)

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

Estimate
£2,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£1800