BASEL, 1845, 2-1/2r Dove of Basel (3L1; Zumstein 8a). Lovely large and balanced margins all around, deep rich colors and unusually strong embossing, used on unusual and petite 1849 tissue-paper printed circular (cotton exchange) from Liverpool, carried privately out of the mails to Basel, then stamped and postmarked with light red "Basel 11 Dece 49" circular datestamp which ties Basel Dove, eminating from a famous business correspondence of Sarasin & Hensler in Basel (trading house) discovered over 100 years ago

VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE COVER WITH THE FAMOUS "BASEL DOVE" SWISS CANTONAL. SELDOM ENCOUNTERED IN THIS OUTSTANDING CONDITION ON SUCH AN EYE-APPEALING ENTIRE. POSSIBLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CLASSIC IMPERFORATE EVER ISSUED FROM THE INFANCY OF MULTICOLORED PRINTING.

One of the highlights of Richard Frajola's personal exhibit of classic covers of the world. With 1959 A. Diena and 2009 von der Weid certificates.

Paying Cantonal letter rate from July 1, 1845 to September 30, 1854, per -1/2 loth.

Image Magnifier / Download

View PDF of certificate

SWITZERLAND, BASEL, 1845, 2-1/2r Dove of Basel (3L1; Zumstein 8a). Large margins to clear, rich colors and exceedingly strong embossing, tied by well-struck "Basel 11 Avril 1848" double-circle datestamp on folded letter, blue company handstamp to right of stamp, receiving backstamp, trivial cover wear

VERY FINE. A RARE COVER WITH THE FAMOUS "DOVE OF BASEL" SWISS CANTONAL. SELDOM SEEN IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION. POSSIBLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CLASSIC IMPERFORATE FROM THE EARLY PERIOD OF POSTAGE STAMPS.

According to Stamps of Fame by L. N. & M. Williams, Basle was the third Cantonal to adopt the use of stamps, after Zurich and Geneva. Unlike the others only one denomination was issued. A single stamp was used for local mail, and two were used for either double-weight letters or for those addressed to the suburbs or other parts of the canton. Apparently they were not very popular with the public and so they are rare on cover.

Ex Rose. Small blue Kruschel backstamp. With 1990 Rellstab certificate (English translation accompanies).

Image Magnifier / Download

BASEL, 1845, 2-1/2r Dove of Basel (3L1; Zumstein 8a). Large margins to clear, rich colors and exceedingly strong embossing, tied by well-struck "Basel 11 Avril 1848" double-circle datestamp on folded letter, blue company handstamp to right of stamp, receiving backstamp, trivial cover wear

VERY FINE. A RARE COVER WITH THE FAMOUS "DOVE OF BASEL" SWISS CANTONAL. SELDOM SEEN IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION. POSSIBLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CLASSIC IMPERFORATE FROM THE EARLY PERIOD OF POSTAGE STAMPS.

According to Stamps of Fame by L. N. & M. Williams, Basle was the third Cantonal to adopt the use of stamps, after Zurich and Geneva. Unlike the others only one denomination was issued. A single stamp was used for local mail, and two were used for either double-weight letters or for those addressed to the suburbs or other parts of the canton. Apparently they were not very popular with the public and so they are rare on cover.

Small blue Kruschel backstamp. With 1990 Rellstab certificate (English translation accompanies).

Image Magnifier / Download

Allen's City Dispatch, Chicago Ill., (unstated value) Pink (3L1). Tied by purple "Allen's City Dispatch, 125 Clark Street, Dec. 21, 1882" double-line oval datestamp and Eagle fancy cancel on machine tool dealer and manufacturer's advertising cover to local street address, illustration of "seamless tube" on back, Very Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $900.00

Image Magnifier / Download

BASEL, 1845, 2-1/2r Basel Dove (3L1; Zumstein 8). Position 34, ample to large margins including small part of the frame line of the adjoining stamp at right, fresh color and excellent embossing of the dove, tied by red "Basel 11 Juil 1850" double-circle datestamp on small locally-addressed folded cover

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE COVER AND SELDOM SEEN IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION. POSSIBLY THE MOST BEAUTFUL CLASSIC IMPERFORATE EVER ISSUED FROM THE INFANCY OF MULTICOLOR PRINTING.

With 1930 Union of Swiss Philatelic Societies and 1996 Zumstein certificates

Image Magnifier / Download

Allen's City Dispatch, Chicago Ill., (unstated value) Pink, Red on Yellow (3L1, 3L3). Each tied by company's purple oval datestamp on Dec. 1882 and Jan. 1893 corner card covers to local addresses, former stamp has a few short perfs, latter cover acidified at edges with some faults resulting, otherwise Fine

SWITZERLAND, 21/2r Basel Dove (3L1). Large MArgin at top, others clear to touched, in at right, tied by red Basel cds on 1849 folded letter, Fine and Pleasing Example of this Famous Cantonal, with 1967 Hunziker Certificate

Image Magnifier / Download

SWITZERLAND, Basel, 1845, 21/2s "Dove" (3L1). Zumstein No.8, Position 23, Margins to slightly in at right, minor wrinkling at bottom, Fresh Colors & Impression, tied by Red "Basel 7 Janv 1849" Double Circle on Fresh Locally Used Folded Letter, Very Attractive Classic Cover, with Hunziker Certificate (Scott value off-cover $8250)