1865 (26.4) Folded cover from Cairo to Bordeaux with the blue POSTE VICE REALI EGIZIANE Viceroyal Post circular datestamp (applied on the second week of use), franked France Empire 10c. and 40c., tied lozenge “5080”, with ALEXANDRIE / ÉGYPTE / 26 AVRIL 65 circular datestamp alongside, backstamped on arrival Marseille and Bordeaux, rare combination, “much scarcer than those with the Posta Europea frankings” according to Smith, and only in use for nine months

Expertise: Signed Roger Calves