Scott #47/#32 (x2) 1871 French Offices in Levant/Turkey Cover (pre-overprints)

Item Specifics

Country

France

Catalog Number

#32 (x2) & #47

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Cover (Postal History)

Centering

VF

Stamp Format

Single

Topic

People - Other

Year of Issue

1871

Item Description

Under the Treaty of Commerce of 1812 between France and Turkey, a French Post Office was established in Constantinople. The treaty was suspended in 1827 after war broke out between Turkey and the Allies. The French colonial Post Office system in Turkey resumed operation in 1835 with offices in Constantinople and Smyrna as well as other locations. 

From 1857 to 1884, contemporary French postage stamps were used and cancelled with duplex postmarks bearing a number affiliated with each specific French Post Office. The numbers were in two sizes and simply noted as large or small. The postmark adorning this cover is the large "5083" that was assigned to the Constantinople (modern Istanbul) post office. In addition, there is a smaller city-date cancellation as well and the boxed PD indicating paid in red.

The use of specific numeric postmarks for French Post Offices in Turkey (Levant) continued until mid 1884, when the French government began overprinting postage stamps specifically for those foreign French Post Offices. Though Constantinople (3707 small and 5083 large) and Smyrna (3709 small and 5098 large) are most prevalent in collections, they still command premiums above standard usage of the same issues in France. Smyrna is today's Izmir, Turkey.

Scott Catalogue Number: #32 Pair & #47

Postmark Date: April 26, 1871

Condition: Mostly sound though it appears the recipient folded the letter in half rather than the thirds as it originated; hence, the center flattened crease the length of the cover. There is no impact to the stamps.

Most, if not all stamps (especially 19th Century issues) listed are dipped and checked for faults, and reviewed under a digital microscope and a high-powered UV light to verify no gum stamps are mint and not just "washed." Also, have a handy, extensive philatelic reference library. If there is something in question, a friend who certifies U.S. material for the Philatelic Foundation, PSAG, and APEX, and will proffer his opinion, too.

Member:  

Olympia Philatelic Society 

American Philatelic Society 

U.S. Postal Classics Society 

Tacoma (WA) Stamp Club, former president

Seller Information

Seller

AcmeStamps (1994)

Registered Since

03/15/2018

Feedback

100%

Store

AcmeStamps

• Offers
• Sales

Item Location

Texas, United States

Ships To

United States, United Kingdom, Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegowina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Holy See (Vatican City State), Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Republic of, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine

Shipping Instructions

Overseas buyers are responsible for shipments to destinations outside the U.S. That includes lost or damaged items. Have not had problems to mainland Europe or the UK, but things happen.

Returns Accepted

No