Lot 80210 – One of the Most Iconic Philatelic Items of Finland

One of the Most Iconic Philatelic Items of Finland

1859 (Jul 29) envelope from Helsinki to Stockholm, franked with five 10k carmine stationery cut-outs and two 1856-58 Large Pearls 5k blue, all cut round and tied by Helsingfors 29 / 7 / 1859 cds, paying the correct rate to Sweden, very fine and spectacular franking.

This is the second highest franking of the first issue, after the famous Fabergé 90kop franking to Sweden. This major Finland rarity belongs to the to three most important first issue covers sent to a foreign destination.

For comparison, we sold the iconic 5kop multiple franking to Lubeck in 2003 (ex Fabergé and “Irina”) for CHF280’000.

Note: Illustrated on the front cover of “The Early Postmarks of Finland” by Gummesson, Ossa & Stenberg, and also in the Monacophil 1997 catalogue p.74 when it was part of the Monaco Club display.

Expertise: Cert. Cyril Schwenson (2018).