Lot 40075 – 40 Lep. blue, on 1861 stampless cover from Arta, Turquia,

40 Lep. blue, on 1861 stampless cover from Arta, Turquia, to Patras showing usage of blue “ARTI” pre-stamp oval cancellation, considered underpaid, 40 Lep, mauve on blue, Paris print, tied by “9” (Patras) lozenge, added as postage due on arrival, the cover mailed before the use of the Greek stamps on 27-9-1861 (see handwritten date by sender inside), arrived at destination when stamps were already in use, possible on the first day of issue (1-10-1861), which cannot be verified as part of the upper back flap with arrival c.d.s. is missing, “ARTI” pre-adhesive double ring canceller and boxed “PLIROMI ANEPARKIS” (insufficient payment) are alongside, the cover is somehow soiled, the 40 Lep is touched at right o/w an extraordinary and exceedingly rare and important item. Provenance: Mattheos