Sale 1287 — Worldwide Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 May, 2023
Category — Iraq & Mesopotamia
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1125
PERSIAN GULF, Desert Post (Prior to Postal Agencies), 1784 Folded Letter from India to London via Basra. Folded letter datelined "Bombay 21st November 1784" and addressed to London, sender's directive "via Bussora", forwarder's manuscript "Constantinople rec'd 3 March 1785, per Humphrys & Sons", initially rated "8" but changed to "1/-" due and London Bishop mark arrival backstamp, cover with some minor edge wear and minor splitting along foldsVERY FINE AND RARE COVER FROM INDIA VIA THE DESERT SERVICE TO LONDON PRIOR TO OFFICIAL BRITISH POSTAL AGENCY.
Prior to the opening of official postal agency in Baghdad and Mosul, mail was carried across the Syrian desert to Constantinople for onwards transmission westward. This is an early cover as this service was not formalized to a monthly service until 1797. The sender notes "this letter goes by the Way of Bussora and the Viper. Hardie (presumably Captain of the Viper) sails this afternoon therefore you must excuse brevity."
Ex Pearson.
E. 2,000-3,000
18,000
1126
PERSIAN GULF, Desert Post (Prior to Postal Agencies), 1818 Folded Letter to Baghdad via Constantinople. Folded letter (missing an interior page) dated "Dec. 20th, 1818" at top left and addressed to "Mrs. Rich, Baghdad, care of Frederick Hamilton Esq., Constantinople", and presumably sent from Scotland, written by Sir James Mackintosh and signed "Mackintosh" at bottom left, receipt docketing Apr. 15, 1819, Very Fine and scarce, ex Parsons, the recipient Mary Mackintosh Rich was the eldest daughter of Sir James Mackintosh who was married to Claudius James Rich, a well known British Assyriologist and scholar based in Baghdad at this time
E. 500-750
850
Back to Top1127
PERSIAN GULF, Desert Post (Prior to Postal Agencies), 1820 Folded Letter to Baghdad via Vienna and Constantinople. Folded letter datelined in Oxford, England with "Oxford 19 NO 19, 1820" circular datestamp slightly over fold and addressed to "C.J. Rich Esq., Baghdad, care of J. Cartwright Esq, Consul General, Constantinople", manuscript "via Vienna" directive, variously rated, London transit datestamps, some minor tape sealing tears on reverse (affecting postmarks), slight overall soiling, Fine and rare early cover to Baghdad, Claudius James Rich (1787-1821) was a well known British Assyriologist and scholar based in Baghdad at this time, ex Parsons
E. 1,000-1,500
1,500
Back to Top1128
PERSIAN GULF, Desert Post (Prior to Postal Agencies), 1830 Folded Letter from Baghdad to London. Folded letter datelined "Bagdat Ap 22, 1830" and addressed to London, letter noting "I write this in great haste as the record of the Ambassador at Tabriz goes off tomorrow morning," carried privately entering mails with Charles Street (London) and rated with "2" handstamp due, cover with disinfection holes, also with some splitting along folds, otherwise Very Fine and scarce, this overland service across the desert continued until 1833 when mail began transiting via the Red Sea and Egypt, the sender Anthony Norris Groves (1795-1853) was known as the "father of faith missions" as he began the first Protestant mission in Iraq, his stay in Baghdad eventually ended unpleasantly as within a year of this letter, his wife passed away, quickly followed by his young daughter, ex Pearson
E. 750-1,000
1,300
Back to Top1129
MESOPOTAMIA, 1842, Baghdad Negative Intaglio Seal. Exceptionally well struck Blackish Blue negative seal at bottom left of cover, cover with minor edge tear at top left of little consequence, Very Fine and choice, a rare Ottoman era postal marking only used in 1842 and rated 20 by Coles/Walker, ex von Uexkull
E. 400-500
425
Back to Top1130
PERSIAN GULF, Desert Post (Prior to Postal Agencies), 1848 Folded Letter from Iraq to New York via Malta and London. Folded letter (missing an inner sheet) and addressed to Syracuse N.Y., sender's directive "per Steamer", two forwarding notations, one from "P. Eynaud & Co." in Malta and other from "Staunton Cromer & Co." in London, the latter dated Jul. 14, 1848, entering the mails in London with Lombard Street Jul. 14 datestamp, Boston Ship transit datestamp, interesting contents regarding sites visited, his travels from Baghdad to Basra, even seeing lions along the banks of the Tigris, Very Fine and early mail to the United States, ex Pearson
E. 500-750
700
Back to Top1131
IRAQ, 1849 Folded Letter from Mosul to Paris, France. Folded letter written in Italian datelined Mosul Mar. 27, 1849 and addressed to Paris, then forwarded within Paris, presumably carried privately to France where it entered the mails, red "Inconnu a l'Appel" boxed handstamp on back, Paris May 9 arrival and May 12 forwarding cancels, Very Fine and scarce early cover from Iraq to Europe, ex "Pearls of Arabia"
E. 400-500
600
Back to Top1132
IRAQ, 1844-1859 Folded Letters from Northern Mesopotamia to France. Seven folded letters from Mosul or Mardin addressed to France, each routed either via Constantinople, Beirut, Alexandrette, or Alexandria, few with disinfection slits, Very Fine and fascinating group, mail from French and British residents at this time typically went via private services rather than the Ottoman post, unlike the British in Baghdad and Basra, mail in the northern areas were generally under the sphere of influence of French merchants, ex Pearson
View PDF of contents of this lot
E. 500-750
2,800
Back to Top1133
AUSTRIA, 1864, 2kr Yellow, 3kr Green (22-23). Fresh colors, tied by "Triest 16/9" oval datestamp on 1866 folded letter originating in Baghdad Aug. 7, addressed to Vienna, carried privately to Trieste with "Cloftya & Schwarz, Trieste" forwarding mark on back, Vienna arrival backstamps, cover with some repair to address panel, still Very Fine, a rare Austrian cover originating in Baghdad, ex Pearson, with 2006 Ferchenbauer certificate noting this as an "extremely rare document"
E. 400-500
1,200
Back to Top1134
BRITISH POST OFFICE IN IRAQ, Basra, 1868 Unpaid Cover to Bombay. Clear strike of bluish green "Bussorah FE 3 68" circular datestamp on cover to Bombay, "India Unpaid" straightline handstamp and manuscript "2 annas" due (double rate for unpaid mail), Bombay arrival backstamp, cover with corner wear and toned spots, otherwise Fine, this is believed to be the earliest cover from the newly established post office in Basra as an experimental office was set up beginning Jan. 1, 1868, ex Pearson
E. 400-500
2,000
Back to Top1135
INDIA, Used in Iraq, Baghdad, 1865, 1a Brown (22; SG 58). Tied by beautifully struck barred "356" numeral and "Bagdad JU 8 9" duplex datestamp on 1869 cover to Calcutta, Bombay transit and Calcutta arrival backstamps, some slight gum residue around periphery of stamp, Very Fine and choice strike, a particularly early cancel from Baghdad during the experimental post office period, the Baghdad post office became permanent in July 1869, ex Pearson
E. 300-400
2,100
Back to Top1136
INDIA, Used in Iraq, Basra, 1865, 1a Brown (22; SG 58). Horizontal pair, tied by two clear strikes of barred "357" numeral with "Busreh AU 11 70" circular datestamp on cover to Bombay, India, two Bombay arrival backstamps, with original contents, cover with minor edge wear and tears to backflap, Very Fine strikes, ex Parsons and von Uexkull
E. 400-500
2,300
Back to Top1137
INDIA, Used in Iraq, Baghdad, 1865, -1/2a Blue (20; SG 54). Tied by crisp strike of barred "356" with "Bagdad AU 3 79" circular datestamp duplex cancel on cover to Bombay, India, Bombay arrival backstamp, file fold thru stamp, Very Fine appearance, scarce, especially with the stamp on the front versus the back of cover, ex Parsons and von Uexkull
E. 400-500
1,700
Back to Top1138
INDIA, Used in Iraq, Basra, 1873, -1/2a Blue, Redrawn (31; SG 76). Tied by clearly struck "Basrah, DT. Turkish Arabia" two-line handstamp with "Busreh 7 FEB" circular datestamp beside on reverse of 1880 cover to Bombay, India, Bombay arrival datestamps, cover with slight soilingFINE STRIKE OF THIS RARE "BASRAH DT. TURKISH ARABIA" CANCEL ON COVER. ACCORDING TO PARSONS, ONLY FIVE COVERS ARE RECORDED.
Parsons records five covers with this marking used only on Feb. 7-8, 1880. Ex Parsons
E. 1,500-2,000
3,000
Back to Top1139
INDIA, Used in Iraq, Basra, 1873, -1/2a Blue, Redrawn (31; SG 76). Tied by well-struck "Basrah, DT. Turkish Arabia" two-line handstamp with "Busreh 7 FEB" circular datestamp on reverse of 1880 cover to Bombay, India, Bombay arrival backstamp, cover with some faults (mostly on reverse), otherwise Fine strike of this rare cancel, according to Parsons, only five are recorded, all used on either Feb. 7 or 8, 1880, ex von Uexkull
E. 500-750
1,900
Back to Top1140
INDIA, Used in Iraq, Basra, 1868, 8a Rose (28; SG 73). Tied by bold "B" cancel with "Busreh 5 OCT" circular datestamp beside on reverse of 1880 registered cover to Bombay, India, boxed "Registered" handstamp with manuscript details filled in, Bombay arrival backstamps, some edge wear, otherwise Fine and scarce cover, ex Parsons
E. 500-750
1,500
Back to Top1141
MESOPOTAMIA, Mosul, 1984 20pa Ottoman Postal Card. Cancelled by light but clear strike of "Mossoul, Turkquie SEPT 1" double-circle datestamp and datelined Aug. 31, 1894, addressed to Heidelberg, Germany, forwarded to London, Constantinople and Heidelberg transit datestamps, Very Fine and handsome postal card, this "Mossoul" cancellation is very rare with few known examples, rated Coles/Walker 20, and should not be confused by the more common "Moussoul" cancel, ex von Uexkull
E. 300-400
325
Back to Top1142
INDIA, Used in Iraq, Baghdad, 1882, -1/2a Green (36; SG 84). Horizontal strip of four, used on uprated 2a6p India overprinted entire, all cancelled by Baghdad Aug. 31, 1895 double-circle datestamps and addressed to Nagasaki, Japan, with notation to forwarded to Stockholm, Sweden, violet "Inconnu" and "Unclaimed" bilingual handstamps, eventually returned to Baghdad rather than onward forwarding to Sweden, Colombo and Hong Kong transit backstamps on outgoing route, Tuticorin, Bombay, and Bushire transit backstamps for return route, two -1/2a stamps with adhesions likely from post office slip, Very Fine and truly remarkable routing with six different country handstamps, ex von Uexkull
Image 2
E. 400-500
1,600
Back to Top1143
INDIA, Used in Iraq, 1899 Registered Cover from Basra to Constantinople. India -1/2a pair and single, 1a, and 2a6p, all tied by light strike of "Busrah Reg OC 6, 1899" circular datestamps on registered cover to Constantinople, "Busrah" boxed registry handstamp, Sea Post Office and British P.O. Constantinople transit datestamps, marked as postage due with "T" in oval and Turkey, 1892, 20pa Black, Postage Due (J39), horizontal strips of three, four and single applied and cancelled or tied by blue pencil marks, cover opened for display and with minor edge wear, otherwise Very Fine, beginning in the 1880s, the Ottoman Empire began charging postage due on covers originating in their lands (i.e. Baghdad and Basra) which did not bear Turkish adhesives, treating covers with only British postage as unpaid, ex Parsons
E. 1,000-1,500
2,100
Back to Top1144
INDIA, Used in Iraq, 1899 Cover from Basra to Constantinople. India 2a6p tied by "Busrah OC 27 99" datestamp on cover to Constantinople, Sea Post Office and British P.O. Constantinople transit datestamps, marked as postage due with small blue "T" in circle and Turkey, 1892, 20pa Black, Postage Due (J39), tied on reverse with blue crayon strikes and arrival datestamp, cover opened for display, Very Fine, beginning in the 1880s, the Ottoman Empire began charging postage due on covers originating in their lands (i.e. Baghdad and Basra) which did not bear Turkish adhesives, treating covers with only British postage as unpaid, ex Parsons
E. 500-750
1,100
Back to Top1145
INDIA, Used in Iraq, 1899 Registered Cover from Basra to Constantinople. India -1/2a block of ten and 1a two pairs and single, all tied by multiple strikes of "Busrah Reg DE 15, 99" circular datestamps on reverse of registered cover to Constantinople, "Busrah" boxed registry handstamp, Sea Post Office and British P.O. Constantinople transit datestamps, marked as postage due with "T" in oval and Turkey, 1898, 20pa Violet Brown (96), four pairs applied and tied by blue circular datestamp, cover opened for display, Very Fine and handsome use, beginning in the 1880s, the Ottoman Empire began charging postage due on covers originating in their lands (i.e. Baghdad and Basra) which did not bear Turkish adhesives, treating covers with only British postage as unpaid
E. 1,000-1,500
2,600
Back to Top1146
TURKEY, Used in Iraq, 1905, 20pa Carmine (120). Tied by light but clear strike of blue 1907 Fao double-circle datestamp on picture post card to Basra, stamp with small pre-use corner crease of no concern, Fine strike of this rare cancel, this is thought to be the only recorded example on cover, rated 20 by Coles/Walker, ex von Uexkull
E. 400-500
1,400
Back to Top1147
Iraq, British Occupation, the Harry St. John Bridger Philby Correspondence, 1916-18. 21 covers, ten outgoing from Philby while stationed in Iraq and eleven incoming from his wife, mostly from London but also some internally, outgoing covers mostly with "On Field Service" from "I.E.F.D." (India Expeditionary Force "D") and countersigned by himself at the corner, few forwarded, mostly Fine-Very Fine, Harry St. John Bridger Philby (1885-1960) lived a fascinating life, he was fluent many languages including Arabic which helped him serve as the head of the finance branch during the British administration of Baghdad, he eventually served as the advisor to Ibn Saud who united the country today known as Saudi Arabia, he is often overlooked by the deeds of his infamous son, Kim Philby, who was a double agent for the Soviet Union and defected in the 1960s
View PDF of contents of this lot
Image 2
E. 750-1,000
1,800
Back to Top1148
MESOPOTAMIA, 1917, 2a on 1pi Blue, 2a on 1pi Violet & Black, Perf 13-1/2, 1a on 20pa Carmine Rose (N5, N12, N24; SG 6, 11b, 21). Each tied by light strike of "Baghdad 17 SE 17" circular datestamp on registered censored cover to Calcutta, India,, forwarded to Quetta, registry label with "Bagdad" handstamp, manuscript "On Service" at top left, blurry red "D" censor handstamp, Fort William (Calcutta) and Karachi transit and Quetta arrival backstamps, light file fold thru 2a, slight toned spots around registry label and barest trace around stampsFINE AND VERY RARE COMMERCIAL MIXED ISSUE USE OF THE BAGHDAD PROVISIONAL STAMPS ON REGISTERED AND FORWARDED COVER TO INDIA.
Most covers with the Baghdad provisional stamps offered are philatelic and/or locally used. Only three covers to India are thought to exist.
Ex Parsons and von Uexkull
E. 4,000-5,000
5,500
Back to Top1149
MESOPOTAMIA, 1917, 2a on 1pi Ultramarine (N18; SG 17). Excellent centering, used with 1914, -1/2a Green, I.E.F. (M35; SG E2), both tied by light strikes of "Baghdad 19 SE 17" double-circle datestamps on registered censored cover to Bombay, India, registry label with "Bagdad" handstamp, manuscript "Censor Bombay" and signed at bottom left, arrival backstamp, vertical file fold clear of stampsVERY FINE AND RARE COMMERCIAL COMBINATION USE OF THE 2-ANNAS ON ONE-PIASTRE BAGHDAD PROVISIONAL USED WITH THE I.E.F. OVERPRINTED STAMP ON REGISTERED COVER.
The Mesopotamia provisional issue is rarely seen used in combination with the I.E.F. overprinted stamps, very few examples are believed to exist. Most covers with the provisional stamps offered are philatelic and/or locally used. Only three covers to India are believed to exist.
Ex Schaefer and von Uexkull. With 2011 R.P.S. certificate.
E. 4,000-5,000
3,250
Back to Top1150
IRAQ, 1953 Air Post cover to Tibet. Seven different Iraq stamps from 1f-28f, all tied by Basra Jul. 28, 1953 double-circle datestamps on cover to Gyantse, Tibet, violet "By Air up to" with manuscript "Hong Kong", Canton Aug. 7 transit backstamp, used with Tibet, 1934, 2t Red, Imperforate (17), horizontal pair, tied by Gyantse Sept. 26 upon arrival, additional strike on back, cover with some slight wrinkling, still Very Fine, a remarkable cover which must have gone overland from Canton as it took around 50 days to go from Canton to Gyantse
E. 300-400
275
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