Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1912. Official SG 0191, 4c ultramarine overprinted 'DIENST' cancelled by hand-struck BALIGE in black.

A scarce postmark.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1912. Official SG 0191, 4c ultramarine (pair) overprinted 'DIENST' cancelled by straight-line handstamp BALIGE in black.

A scarce postmark on card or loose stamp in this wonderful quality.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1912. 'Official' stamp SG 0191, 4c ultramarine overprinted 'DIENST' cancelled by 'BALIGE straight-line handstamp in violet.

Not priced by Paul Bulterman in 'Nederlands Indie Langstempels in violet.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1909. SG 126, 5s rose cancelled by BABAT straight-line handstamp in black.

Very fine, from the collection formed over sixty years by Paul Bulterman.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1909. SG 123, 2 1/2c green (pair tied to small piece) cancelled by BABAT straight-line hand-stamp in black.

Very fine, from the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1909. SG 121, 1c olive cancelled by BABAT straight-line hand-stamp in black.

Lovely quality strike, from the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1884. SG 84, 2c yellow-brown cancelled by AMOERANG straight-line hand-stamp in black.

Lovely quality from the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1884. SG 84, 2c yellow-brown cancelled by straight-line handstamp AMOERANG in violet.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1890. SG 91, 5c ultramarine cancelled by AMOERANG straight-line handstamp in blue (struck twice).

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1892. Queen Wilhelmina SG 100, 50c carmine cancelled by 'AMOERANG' straight-line handstamp (23mm) in black.

A scarce high value stamp used from this small town, very fine quality. Very few 50 cent stamps known. Bulterman only had a few examples from all the 'Langstempel' towns and villages.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1908. SG 163, 2 1/2c green (block of four) cancelled by 'AMOERANG' straight-line hand-stamp (39mm) in black.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1904. Netherlands Indies postal stationery 5c rose upgraded with SG 119, 2 1/2c on 3c violet cancelled on small piece by AMOERANG straight-line handstamp.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks), 1909. SG 126, 5c rose-red cancelled by 'AMAHEI' straight-line hand-stamp in black.

A rare cancel priced at 200 euro off cover by Paul Bulterman, very fine quality. (He notes on loose stamp just as rare).

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1908. SG 147, 5c rose-red cancelled by bold straight-line handstamp 'AMAHEI' in black.

SG 147, overprinted 'Butten Bezit' (Outer Possessions) for use in Java and Madura.

A rare cancel priced at 200 euro off cover by Paul Bulterman, very fine quality. (He notes on loose stamp just as rare).

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1912. Official stamp, over printed 'DIENST' SG O191, 4c ultramarine cancelled by 'ANJER' straight-line handstamp in black.

A rare cancel rated 'RRR' by Paul Bulterman on postcard or cover and still very scarce in this quality on stamp.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). Postage Due. 1912. SG D229, 5c salmon cancelled by ANJER straight-line hand-stamp in black.

A rare cancel rated 'RRR' by Paul Bulterman on postcard or cover and still very scarce in this quality on stamp.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1912. SG 211, 2 1/2c green cancelled by ANJER straight-line handstamp in black.

A rare cancel rated 'RRR' by Paul Bulterman on postcard or cover and still very scarce in this quality on stamp.

From the collection formed over sixty years by Paul Bulterman.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels - Postmarks). 1909. Postage Due SG D104, 10c rose and black (pair) cancelled by AJERBANGIS straight-line hand-stamp.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years. Scarce to find so fine.

Netherlands East Indies. (Langstempels Postmarks). 1909. Postage Due SG D106, 20c rose and black cancelled by AJERBANGIS straight-line handstamp tied to small piece.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years. To find this quality is scarce.

Netherlands East Indies. (langstempels). 1909. Postage Due SG D103, 5c rose and carmine (pair) cancelled by AJERBANGIS straight-line hand-stamp in black.

From the collection of Paul Bulterman formed over sixty years. To find this quality is scarce.

Netherlands East Indies. (Constantinople). 1904. Netherlands Indies postal stationery double reply card '7 1/2c' red cancelled by Pekalongan squared circle '12th July 1904' addressed to Constantinople, routed via Singapore with double circle French paquebot 'Ligne N Paq. Fr. No 2' dated 18th Jul' on face, routed via the French Post Office Port Said '5th Aout' and Constantinople - Galata/ Poste Francaise arrival '15/8' on reverse.

Persia. (Netherlands West Indies - Suriname). 1895. Registered envelope (with British Consulate imprint) addressed to Surinam, Netherlands West Indies bearing Persia Yvert 74, 1c violet (3), Yvert 75, 2c green (5), Yvert 76, 5c blue (pair), Yvert 77, 8c brown (pair). Yvert 78, 10c yellow and Yvert 80, 1k orange-red tgied by octagonal Rescht date stamp '27th April 1895' with circular 'R' hand-stamp, carried over the Caspian Sea to Baku via Russia with framed 'Ned. W. Indies/ Stoomschepen/ Rechtstreeks' on face and Paramaribo arrival '29th June 1895'

A wax seal has been cutout but a remarkable destination from Persia to Suriname, Netherlands West Indies.

Persia. (Germany). 1896. Registered envelope addressed to Germany bearing Yvert 89, 2c brown (pair on reverse), Yvert 92, 5c yellow (pair), Yvert 94, 10c blue (reverse) and Yvert 95, 12c carmine tied by Tabriz date stamp '13th Mar 98', with oval hand-struck 'R', endorsed 'via Berlin' with Grauden receiver '26/3' on reverse. Fine registered four colour franking.

Persia. (Netherlands). 1897. Registered postal stationery envelope '16 ch' scarlet upgraded with Yvert 75, 2c green (two on reverse) and Yvert 77, 8c brown (two on reverse) tied by Meshed date stamp '11th Mar 97' with bold framed 'Registered' in violet and circular 'R' hand-stamp, large and small on face, addressed to the Netherlands with Gaouda transit '13/3', with Russian Travelling Post Office and Amsterdam arrival '26th Mrt 97' on reverse.

Persia. (RED "R" LABELS USED FOR POSTAGE). 1905. Registered envelope addressed to Teheran bearing Persia Registered red label Yvert 221a, 1c scarlet (block of 10 on reverse of cover) tied by Tauris date stamp with Teheran receiver on reverse. Spectacular franking.

Scarce multiple franking paying the double internal rate of 10ch.

Bernard Lucas in the Cavendish 2018 sale (part one) had 13 strips of 5 paying the internal rate and 11 paying the later 6ch internal rate but no double rate paying the 10ch double rate.

Persia. (Air Mail). 1931. Registered envelope addressed to Austria bearing Yvert 527, 6c brown and green, Yvert 530, 12c grey and purple and Yvert 532, 1k blue tied by Teheran double ring with 'R/Teheran' hand-stamp, endorsed 'via Moscow' (USSR).

Persia. (Netherlands East Indies). 1893. Registered Persian postal stationery card '2 1/2c black and carmine cancelled by Teheran date stamp with registration label addressed to Sourabaya, Java, Netherlands Indies with 'N.I. Agent Singapore' transit and Soerabaja squared circle arrival on face '12th May 1893'.

Persia. (United States). 1897. Envelope addressed to the United States bearing Yvert 75, 2c green and Yvert 78, 10c orange (stamps on reverse) tied by Sultanabad date stamp '7th Feb', routed via Teheran '11/2' with New York/ Paid All and Huntingdon arrival 'Mar 22nd'.

Colourful franking sent over the Atlantic to New York State.

Persia. Circa 1930. Postal stationery card 2ch red and blue cancelled by Meched date stamp with Koum (Arrivee).

Malaya. (Singapore - China). 18537 Folded letter written from 'CHINA' dated May 11th 1857' addressed to Amsterdam, endorsed 'via Marseille' with Singapore double ring transit 'July 29' in orange on reverse and oval 'Forwarded By/ Boustead & Co' in red on reverse, routed via Suez and Malta with French entry cachet 'Pays Etr. V. Suez/ Amb H' in red on face '17th Sept', (treated for cholera in Marseille and dipped in vinegar) with 'Lyon a Paris' ambulant '18/9', Paris transit and Amsterdam arrival in red '20th Sept' on reverse with manuscript '100' Dutch due rating.

Superb cover originating in China and forwarded via Singapore with 'BOUSTEAD' forward agents cachet listed in Rowe in black 1864 - 1865.

Belgian Congo. 1944. Air Mail postal stationery card '60c' green upgraded with 1f brown, 2f 50 carmine and 10f brown tied by Leopoldville date stamp addressed to England with hand-stamp '12' censor, endorsed 'Par Avion' and framed '(Crown) P. 62' censorship applied on arrival.

Belgian Congo. 1943. Belgian Congo postal stationery card '1 cent' emerald green written from 'Luanza Mission; dated '6th Oct 43' cancelled by Elizabethville date stamp '12th Oct 43' addressed to Jadotville.

Netherlands Indies. (Japanese Occupation of Java). 1942. Envelope addressed to Betawi bearing Japanese Occupation in Java SG 465, 5c blue tied by Batavia Central date stamp ;4th Dec 42' with hand-stamp 'Kao Yoo' Official Mail) with framed 'Ken' etsuzumi' (censored) with oval censor seal in orange and instructional hand-stamp 'Kembali Pada Sipengirim' (Return To Sender) on face.

Netherlands. (Ireland). 1865. Folded letter addressed to Belfast bearing Yvert 6, 15c deep orange (pair) tied by framed 'FRANCO' in black (struck twice) with Rotterdam dispatch '24/10' and circular London/ Paid transit in red 'Oc 26' and Belfast arrival 'Oc 27' on reverse.

Egypt. (French Post Office). 1897. Egyptian postal stationery card '3mill' purple upgraded with Egypt SG 58, 1m brown (pair) mixed with French 'Type Sage' Yvert 89, 10c black/ lilac tied by octagonal French paquebot 'Ligne T, Paq. Fr. No 1' date stamp '20th Aout 97' (Salles 2142) with adjacent Suez dispatch addressed to France.

Superb mixed franking written on board the French paquebot "ARMAND BEHIC" off Suez.

Netherlands East Indies. (Japanese Occupation of Sumatra). 1943. Netherlands Indies postal stationery card '3 1/2c' grey upgraded with Japanese Occupation of Sumatra SG 270, 5c ultramarine, SG 396, 1c slate, SG 397, 2c purple, SG 398, 2 1/2c bistre, SG 399, 3c green and 'Dances' SG 462, 2 1/2c claret, SG 463, 3c green, SG 464, 4c olive-brown, SG 465, 5c blue, and SG 466, 7 1/2c violet tied by Medan date stamp '17th Dec 43', addressed to Brastagi Internment Camp, North Sumatra with framed Japanese censor in red on face.

The Dutch Indies stamps have had local vernacular overprints applied in North Sumatra in black and violet. Stanley Gibbons notes these Japanese Occupation stamps but does not give them an listing.

Spanish Colonies. (Cuba - Transatlantic Mail). 1866. Folded letter written from 'Havana' dated '28th May 1866' with oval 'Rausch & Co, Habana' firms cachet, addressed to France, endorsed 'via New York' with circular 'New-York Br Pkt' dated 'Apr 4' and '20' cent double weight debit to France hand-stamp applied, French 'Etas Unis' entry cachet '15th' Avril' and Paris arrival with hand-struck '24' on face.

Double letter rate cover carried from Cuba to New York by 'U.S. Mail Line' and over the Atlantic by Cunard Line.

Albania. (Government of Essad Pasha). 1915. Essad Pasha Provisional Government envelope addressed to Germany bearing 40pa blue (unissued stamp hand-stamped with Crescent and Turkish inscription negative seal) tied by bilingual Durazzo date stamp '7th March 1915' with undated double ring Durazzo on reverse and circular '100' with hand-stamp '27th Avr 1915' arrival on reverse.

Essad Pasha formed a Government in central Albania in 1914 (having previously run a similar Government in 1913). His influance was limited to the area around Durazzo and he was driven out by the Austrian invasion in 1916. These stamps were issued on 10th February 1915.

Iraq. (India -Persian Gulf). 1941. Registered Air Mail envelope addressed to Bombay bearing Iraq 50f ultramarine (pair on reverse) tied by Baghdad As - Samawal double ring '7th Dec 41', with Baghdad registration label and Baghdad dispatch '8/12' with framed rectangular bilingual Iraq censorship in violet on face, routed via Karachi with censor tape and Bombay 'Opened By Censor/ 178 C' red on white label tied by triangular 'Passed by Censor/ C - 23' hand-stamp on face and reverse.

Malaya. (Straits Settlements - Thailand). 1916. Picture post card of 'Washing horses in a brook, Singapore' addressed to Muang Phrae, Siam' bearing Straits Settlements SG 197, 4c purple tied by Singapore double ring '15th Dec 1916' with Bangkok/ 1 and Bangkok/ 2 transits '25th Dec 16' and bilingual Prae arrival '30th Dec' and forwarded to Paknampho with arrival '1st Jan 1917.'

By 1910 the mail north to Raheng (Tak) and Chiang Mai was taken by rail from Bangkok to Phitsanuloke and by motor launch and carrier to Phrae.

Malaya. (Federated States - Thailand). 1910. Picture post card of 'Town Hall, Kuala Lumpur' addressed to 'c/o The East Asiatic Company, Phrae, Siam' bearing Malaya Federated States SG 34, 3c carmine tied by Teluk Anson double ring '16th Dec 10' , routed via Penang '17/10' and Singapore '19th Oct 10' with Bangkok/ 2 and Bangkok/ 5 transits '25/12' and bilingual Prae arrival in blue '1st Jan 1911' .

By 1910 the mail north to Tak and Chiang Mai was taken by rail from Bangkok to Phitsanuloke and then by motor boat and carrier to Phrae.

Lovely item of mail from Teluk Anson, Perak addressed to Prae, Northern Siam.

Malaya, (Singapore - Hawaii). 1940. Envelope addressed to 'Mr James Downing, (Gunner's Mate, First Class) 'U.S.S.' "West Virginia", Pearl Harbour, Honolulu' bearing Straits Settlements SG 285, 12c ultramarine tied by Singapore double ring '13th Sept 40' with brown censor tape tied by bold framed 'Passed By/ Censor 111/ Singapore' on face and reverse with small green 'Malaya Patriotic' label. routed via Hong Kong with 'Victoria/ Hong Kong' transit on reverse '24th Sept 40' and triangular 'Passed Censor/ Hong Kong/ 9' in violet on face.

The cover is addressed to James Downing who with his new wife rushed to 'U.S.S. "West Virginia" having learnt by radio of the attack by the Japanese.
The Japanese bombers had targeted her with nine torpedoes but the ship had not completely sunk, Downing assisted the injured crew and used a water hose to keep the ammunition from exploding.

In 2016 Downing wrote a book on his navel carrier and the events at Pearl Harbour.

On board the 'U.S.S. 'West Virginia" was a sailor Lester Spencer who had been mentored by the evangelist Dawson Trotman who founded 'The Navigators. 135 men on board became devote Christians including James Downing who on retirement from the Navy moved to Colorado Springs taking over the Navigators Glen Eyrie Branch from his now friend Dawson Trotman.

Malaya. (Selangor - Ireland). 1941. Air Mail envelope addressed to County Donegal, Ireland bearing Selangor SG 82, 50c black/ emerald tied by Kuala Lumper double ring '22nd Jan 41', underpaid with triangular 'T/ KL' hand-stamp and endorsed ''14c' in pencil, routed via Penang with white censor tape tied by framed 'Passed By/ 15/ Censor' on face and reverse and Gaelic bilingual censor tape 'S.P..1/ An Scrudoir D' Oscail'/ Opened By Censor/ 146' (black on pink) applied on arrival.

Malaya. (Penang). 1931. Photographic card of 'Rickshaw driver, Penang' addressed to Denmark bearing Straits Settlements SG 229, 6c scarlet tied by Penang double ring.

Thailand. (Postcards). 1913. Picture post card of 'Phradjedee, Paknam' addressed to Denmark bearing SG 143, 6s carmine tied by Bangkok/ 2 date stamp '29th Dec 13'.

Thailand. (Postcards). 1907. Picture post card of 'Travelling Monks' addressed to Paris bearing SG 99, 5a carmine tied by Bangkok/ 2 date stamp '9th Aug 1907' , forwarded from Paris to Savoie with Brides Les Bains arrival '8/9'.

Thailand. (The overland mail route via BURMA). 1906. Picture post card of 'Klong Kut Mai, Bangkok' addressed to Denmark bearing SG 97, 4a pale red and sepia tied by Lampang date stamp '11th Nov 1906', endorsed 'via Burma" with Raheng transit '18th Nov' on face and Sea Post Office 'Dec 21st 06'.

Mail from Northern Siam, Lampang via Raheng (Tak) to Kawkareik, Moulmein and Rangoon and onward by steamer with Sea Post Office.

In 1906 it was still quicker to send the mail overland via Burma rather than south to Bangkok, but in the rainy season May to November the rivers became flooded and the mail carriers between Raheng and Kawkareik whom numbered only 5 had to wait until the mountain torrents became fordable.

For more information on this fascinating subject see John Garner's article in PAT September 2009.

Thailand. (Postcards). 1907. Picture post card of 'Peasant woman & interior of Pagoda, Phrapathom' addressed to Denmark bearing SG 97, 4a pale red and sepia tied by Bangkok 2 date stamp '27 Dec 07'.

Card published by "J. Antonio" A beautiful card.

Thailand. (Royalty). 1925. Picture post card of 'H.M. The King of Thailand' (Rama V1) addressed to Denmark bearing SG 217, 10s yellow-brown and black tied by Bangkok 2B date stamp.

Thailand. (DAI NIPPON AIRWAYS). 1940 Registered Air Mail envelope addressed to Denmark bearing SG 243, 50s black and orange-brown and SG 288, 10s carmine )pair) tied by Bangkok GPO date stamp '4th Nov 40' with registration label, endorsed 'via Japan - Siberia' with Tokyo transit '11/11' in violet on reverse and circular 'Ab' censor in carmine on face with Soborg arrival '12th Dec 40' on reverse.

Air Mail to Japan 55 satang and 15 satang registration fee paying 70 satang to Europe, sent DAI NIPPON AIRWAYS via Tokyo and by rail across Siberia, subject to German censorship.

The 'By Air Mail/ Par Avion' label imprint has been crossed over by penstroke as the letter was sent by rail over Siberia to Europe.