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