Lot 20029 – One of only 3 known covers with the “CANAL DE SUEZ

One of only 3 known covers with the “CANAL DE SUEZ / CHANTIER VI” cancel 1869 (May 29) Envelope sent from Chantier VI to Digoin, France, with pair of 1867-71 Penasson 20pa paying the standard rate, sent via Ismailia and Alexandria, where it was franked with French 1868 40c orange tied by “5080” lozenge of dots with cds alongside, “FRANCA” and “P.D.” hs applied at the Austrian PO, French transit and arrival bs, horizontal fold affecting one stamp otherwise fine. Illustrated on pg. 64 in “The Private Ship Letters of the World” by Ringström and Tester. A superb, attractive and extremely rare item of postal history from the Canal. Expertise: Signed Calves Provenance: Oscar (sold CHF36’000, 1999), Fikry