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<B>IONIAN ISLANDS [C] S.G. #1-3, ½p Orange (2), 1p Blue (pair), 2p Carmine (2)</B><P>On a small cove

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:40,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
<B>IONIAN ISLANDS [C] S.G. #1-3, ½p Orange (2), 1p Blue (pair), 2p Carmine (2)</B><P>On a small cove
<B>IONIAN ISLANDS [C] S.G. #1-3, ½p Orange (2), 1p Blue (pair), 2p Carmine (2)</B><P>On a small cover from Corfu to Venice, each is cancelled with a manuscript "X" and with two strikes of the rare boxed REGISTERED (in Greek) handstamp (only one other cover is known with this marking), the cover is also postmarked with a red oval "FRAN(CA)" and a matching Corfu c.d.s. (believed to be unique in red); there are two arrival handstamps on the reverse, one a registered oval and the other a Venice c.d.s. All of the stamps have full margins except for one 2p, which is just touching on one side; there is a vertical crease in one ½p where it had originally been folded around the right end of the cover (the right hand flap has since been refolded to support and display the full stamp). The cover is illustrated in the Kohl-Briefmarken Handbook and in Zaphiriou's book. It is believed to be a unique franking and is certainly a spectacular and very important cover; accompanied by an Enzo Diena certificate. Realized £33,000 in the sale of the "Odyssey" collection. Ex. Rothschild, Boker, Achterberg, etc. (Scott #1-3). Estimate: $40,000-$50,000