Lot 40404 – 1868 Cover from Alexandria (Egypt) to Beirut, bearing 1866 2pi, one of the finest Russian-Levante covers known

1868 (March 13) Cover from Alexandria (Egypt) to Beirut endorsed “p Vape. Russo” (per Russian steamer), bearing 1866 2pi blue and rose, tied by “PORT ALEKSANDRIYA” cds in blue (Tchilinghirian fig. 256); one of the finest Russian Levant covers known -also stated by Mikulski in his certificate-, supported by the large margined and outstandingly fresh stamp displaying a strong colour, as well as the neat cancellation, (harmoniously matched by the clean sender’s cachet and the attractive calligraphy); cert. Mikulski (1997, “Es ist einer der schönsten Levante-Briefe”); ex (Robson Lowe Basle sale in 1981, sold for CHF3’610) and Gordon Torrey (1997).