CRETE (British Administration), 1898, 20pa Violet (1; SG B1). Large margins all around, tied by bold straightline Heraklion handstamp on European-size cover, vertical file fold far from stamp, slightly reduced at left, small backflap tear, otherwise Very Fine, signed Holcombe, this postal administration was in service for just over a year

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CRETE (British Administration), 1898, 20pa Violet (1; SG B1). Large to huge margins, tied by bold straightline Heraklion handstamp on European-size cover, vertical file fold far from stamp, Very Fine, signed Bloch, this postal administration was in service for just over a year

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CRETE, 1898, 20pa Violet (1; SG B1). Large to huge margins, control perf "28", tied by purple Union Jack with "Temenos" handstamp on blue cover addressed to "Rear Admiral Sir G. Noel KCMG, RN, HMS 'Revenge', Kandia", some minor edgewear

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE FIRST ISSUE OF CRETE UNDER THE BRITISH SPHERE OF ADMINISTRATION. NON-PHILATELIC USAGES ARE EXTREMELY RARE.

Covers are known which are philatelic and were sent home as souvenirs. However, the control perforation "28" was used for letters sent by the high officials and military and naval authorities concerned with the short-lived administration.

The purple handstamp used on this cover had previously been used as a provisional marking with date and value inserted. There is no date on this cover as a datestamp was issued at the time of the stamp's use. We can partly date the cover by the Admiral's movements -- he arrived on the Revenge on September 12, 1898 to supervise Turkish disarmament and surrender, and he left on December 27 after completing his task.

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CRETE, 1898, 20pa Violet (1; SG B1). Large to huge margins, control perf "28", tied by purple Union Jack with "Temenos" handstamp on blue cover addressed to "Rear Admiral Sir G. Noel KCMG, RN, HMS 'Revenge', Kandia", some minor edgewear

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE FIRST ISSUE OF CRETE UNDER THE BRITISH SPHERE OF ADMINISTRATION. NON-PHILATELIC USAGES ARE EXTREMELY RARE.

Covers are known which are philatelic and were sent home as souvenirs. However, the control perforation "28" was used for letters sent by the high officials and military and naval authorities concerned with the short-lived administration.

The purple handstamp used on this cover had previously been used as a provisional marking with date and value inserted. There is no date on this cover as a datestamp was issued at the time of the stamp's use. We can partly date the cover by the Admiral's movements -- he arrived on the Revenge on September 12, 1898 to supervise Turkish disarmament and surrender, and he left on December 27 after completing his task.

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