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).