1875 (4.1) Large registered parcel front from Cairo to Pernau, Russia (now part of Estonia) via Alexandria, franked by horizontal pair of 1863-70 5fr grey + 1871-75 80c. strip of 6, all tied lozenge “5119”, with LE CAIRE / BAU FRANCAIS / 4 JANV. 75 on top of cover, plus straight-line CHARGÉ and manuscripts “No. 815” “Raccomandata”, plus framed PAQUEBOTS DE LA MÉDITERRANÉE alongside

Provenance: Emile Antonini, Samir Fikry

Note: The large envelope front originally carried photographs, hence the inscription “Contenant photographie d’Egypt”. Due to the size and weight of the contents envelope was damaged during the trip, however it has been carefully restored, and is clearly one of the more important items for the French Post Office in Cairo. A unique franking