1823-c 1910. An extraordinary collection of early postal history of the overland route through Iraq and Syria. The best collection ever assembled of the early stages of the overland route, comprising 34 pages with 34 outstanding letters and maps and other documentary material. Much extremely rare material, including letters from Bushire 1826, 1860 on the westbound overland route (incl. routing across the Euphrates River); excellent India material 1839, 1840 with transit Basra, Baghdad, Beirut, and a spectacular India letter Calcutta-Tehran bearing four 1854 4 annas, with Europe transit. Another highlight is a letter Mauritius-Bushire 1859 via Egypt and Beirut bearing two 2d blue Lapirot issue and 1s vermilion Britannia issue (ex Vikramm Chand Collection). Other rarities include four letters Saxony 1867 to Baghdad, routed via Triest, Beirut, and British desert courier (ex Erivan, Knapp collections). Also mail from French PO in Levant 1867-69 Bagdad via Beirut to Europe by British Desert Camel Route. 1883 official mail from London War Office to Bagdad by Overland Desert Mail.
An exceptional assembly of material of the highest rarity, all mounted on exhibition pages with an abundance of research and information. Special strengths in Bushir and India mail, as well as Sachsen. With excellent provenance from top collections, and with numerous certificates. An unmatched collection from a very difficult and rewarding collecting field. This collection can form the solid basis for a top award-winning exhibit.
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