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.

Thailand. (Air Gram). 1933. KLM "Air Gram' folded letter sheet addressed to Denmark bearing SG 271, 5s violet and SG 273, 15s blue and black (2) tied by Bangkok date stamp '10th Jan 33' and Warnemunde arrival '23/1' on reverse.

Type 1 KLM Air Gram provided to customers of KLM.

Thailand. (France - Air Mail). 1934. Air Mail envelope addressed to France bearing SG 240, 10s orange and black and SG 275, 50s black and claret tied by Bangkok date stamp '14th July 34' with 'KLM/ Service' red airmail label overlaid by 'Imperial Airways' label and both tied with red parallel bar "jusqu'a' mark applied at London office of exchange and sent on by rail to France with Paris arrival on reverse '24th July 34'.

Thailand. 1940. Envelope from the Bank of India, Australia, Puket' addressed to Bangkok bearing SG 287, 5s deep purple (vertical pair) tied by bilingual Bhuket date stamp.

Thailand. (Bamboo Cancel). 1948. Air Mail envelope written 'c/o The East Asiatic Co.' addressed to Denmark bearing SG 294, 15s grey and blue (reverse), SG 295, 25s orange and slate (7) and SG 315, 20s purple brown (strip of five on reverse) tied by Bangkok date stamp '2nd Nov 48' with stamps on reverse tied by BAMBOO chop, hand-stamp 'A.V. 2' on face and sent via .KLM. with 'KLM/ Service' red Air Mail label.

Lovely cover routed via Singapore and 'AV/ 2' applied for Onward Air Transmission.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Trengganu). Circa 1910. Malaya (Trengganu) SG 3, 3c carmine-red cancelled by double oval 'S.S. "Asdang" in violet.

The "S.S. "Asdang" (640 tones) was built for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company'. The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malaya Peninsular with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

The use of a Malaya Trengganu stamp cancelled by the 'S.S. "Asdang" is most unusual. John Garner had no examples in his collection. In John's article for the P.A.T. Journal, March 2010 on the Siam Steam Navigation Company John writes "They are most often found on the stamps of Thailand, but since the ships visited ports all along the Malay Peninsula, they can be found on the stamps of Kelantan, Trengganu and Straits Settlements".

The 'S.S. "Asdang" was wrecked on the Kemaman Bar on 23rd October 1936.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Trengganu). Circa 1910. Malaya (Trengganu) SG 4, 4c orange cancelled by double oval 'S.S. "Asdang" in violet.

The "S.S. "Asdang" (640 tones) was built in 1906 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company'. The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malaya Peninsular with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rate indeed.

The use of a Malaya Trengganu stamp cancelled by the 'S.S. "Asdang" is most unusual. John Garner had no examples in his collection. In John's article for the P.A.T. Journal March 2010 on the Siam Steam Navigation Company he writes "They are most often found on the stamps of Thailand, but since the ships visited ports all along the Malay Peninsula they can also be found on the stamps of Kelantan, Trengganu and Straits Settlements".

The 'S.S. "Asdang" was wrecked on the Kemaman Bar on 23rd October 1936.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Malaya). Circa 1922. Malaya, Straits Settlements SG 222, 4c carmine cancelled by 'S.S. "Suddhadib" hand-stamp in violet.

The 'S.S. "Suddhadib" (1311 tones) was built in 1918 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company' The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malaya Peninsular with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

The use of a Straits Settlements stamp cancelled by the 'S.S. "Suddhadib" is most unusual, John Garner had no examples in his collection. In John's article in the P.A.T. Journal, March 2010 on the Siam Steam Navigation Company John writes "They are most often found on the stamps of Thailand, but since the ships visited ports all along the Malaya Peninsula, they can also be found on the stamps of Kelantan, Trengganu and Straits Settlements."

The 'S.S. :Suddhadib" sunk during World War Two.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Postmarks). Circa 1940. Siam SG 282, 5s dull purple (pair) cancelled by oval 'M/S "Bhanurangsi" in violet, struck twice.

The 'M/S "Bhanurangsi" (686 tones) was built in 1927 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company'. The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malay Peninsula with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

A rare Siam steamship postmark, little information is known on the 'M/S "Bhanurangsi".

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Postmarks). Circa 1920. Siam SG 214, 5s carmine-pink cancelled by 'S.S. "BANKA" hand-stamp in violet, struck twice.

The 'S.S. "Banka" was built in 1919 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company'. The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malay Peninsula with passengers. goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

A very rare Siam steamship cancel. The 'S.S. "Banka" was built in 1919 and sunk in 1940. Little information is known.

Not listed by John Garner in his article on the Siam Steam Navigation Company 1909 - 1940 in P.A.T. Journal March 2010.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Postmarks). 1941. Siam SG 288, 10s carmine cancelled by 'S.S. "Suddhadib" hand-stamp in violet with double ring 'Field Post Office/ S.P. 501' dated '17 Nov 1941'

The 'S.S. "Suddhadib" (1311 tones) was built in 1918 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company' . The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malaya Peninsula with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

A very rare steamship cancel and unique with the Field Post Office 501 date stamp applied in Singapore.

The 'S.S. "Suddhadib" sunk during World War Two.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Postmarks). Circa 1910. Siam SG 136, 14s on 9a blue cancelled by double oval 'S.S. "Asdang" in violet.

The 'S.S. "Asdang" (640 tones) was built in 1906 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company'. The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malay Peninsula with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

The 'S.S. "Asdang" was wrecked on the Kemaman Bar on 23rd October 1936.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Postmarks). Circa 1910. Siam SG 143, 6s carmine cancelled by double oval 'S.S. "Asdang" in violet.

The 'S.S. "Asdang" (640 tones) was built in 1906 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company'. The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malay Peninsula with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

The 'S.S. "Asdang" was wrecked on the Kemaman Bar on 23rd October 1936.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Postmarks). Circa 1915. Siam SG 160, 5s on 6s rose-carmine )pair) cancelled by oval 'S.S. "Yugala" in violet.

The 'S.S. "YUGALA" (753 tones) was built in 1907 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation. The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port down the Malay Peninsula with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board is very rare indeed.

The 'S.S. "Yugala" was destroyed in a serious fire on board 9th May 1923.

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Postmarks). Circa 1930. SG 233, 10s orange and black cancelled by 'S/S. "NARIS" hand-stamp in violet.

The 'S.S.' "NARIS" (799 tones) was built in 1929 for the 'Siam Steam Navigation Company'. The Company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The Company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malay Peninsula with passengers, goods and had a contract to carry the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co,' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

The 'S.S. "NARIS" hand-stamp on Siam stamps is very rare, little information in known on the steamer.

Thailand. (Netherlands East Indies). 1926. Siam postal stationery card 3 satang green upgraded with SG 211, 2s chocolate/ yellow and SG 216, 5s deep violet tied by bilingual HAT-YAI date stamp '12th Aug 26', addressed to Banka, Netherlands East Indies, endorsed 'via Singapore' with Soengeiliat arrival '19th Aout 26' on face.

Very nice item of destination mail into Sungailiat a town on Bangka-Belitung Islands.

Thailand. (Denmark) 1929. Envelope headed 'Banhoalong Ice Factory' addressed to Denmark bearing SG 218, 15s blue tied by Bangkok/ 149 date stamp.

Thailand. (Denmark). 1925. Registered RED BAND envelope addressed to Denmark bearing SG 211, 2s chocolate/ yellow, SG 213, 3s red-brown, SG 221, 25s blue (reverse), SG 239, 5s green and SG 241, 15s carmine tied by Bangkok/ 2 date stamp with matching Bangkok/2 registration label and Copenhagen arrival on reverse.

A very attractive Chinese Red Band cover from Thailand.

Thailand. (Denmark). 1921. Envelope addressed to Denmark bearing SG 214, 5s carmine and SG 217, 10s yellow-brown and black (pair) tied by Bandon date stamp, endorsed 'via Penang' with Thung Song and Penang transits '25th Aug 21' and Copenhagen arrival on reverse '28/9'.

Thaialnd. (China). 1935. Envelope addressed to Shanghai, China bearing SG 141, 15s carmine tied by South Express date stamp with Shanghai slogan arrival on reverse.

United States. (Netherlands - Transatlantic Mails). 1861. Stamp-less envelope addressed to Zierikree, Zeeland, Netherlands' cancelled by 'New York/ Jan 12' date stamp, endorsed '$1. 05' in manuscript and manuscript '4/ 45', routed via France with 'Et Unis Serv. Am. A.C. F' entry cachet dated '26th Jan', Paris transit and Zierikree arrival '28/1' on reverse and manuscript '340' Dutch cents due rating.

A very high rate cover paying United States postage of $1. 05'.

Ex R. Tocila and Paul Bulterman collections.

United States. (Netherlands - Transatlantic Mails). 1853. Folded letter written from New Orleans dated '29th April' addressed to Amsterdam, Holland endorsed 'per "Canada" with manuscript '25' in pencil (U.S. inland postage) and rated '40/3' (accountancy) and '60/ grms', with hand-struck 'PAID' in red, forwarded from Boston with oval 'FORWdBy/ S.G. WARD/ BOSTON' in red and circular 'Boston/ Br/ Pkt' dated 'May 11' on reverse, routed via London '23/5' with manuscript '4/8' erased and corrected with manuscript '5/4' (U.K. debt to Holland), small oval hand-struck Belgian entry cachet 'Engeland/ over Ostende' on reverse in red (Van der Linden 1024) and Amsterdam arrival '25/5' and manuscript '410' Dutch cents due rating.

Quadruple rate cover sent on the Cunard Line "Canada" from Boston via Halifax and Liverpool.

The forward agent 'S.G. Ward/ Boston' is not listed by Kenneth Rowe in his book on Forwarding Agents.

United States. (Netherlands - Transatlantic Mails). 1843. Folded letter addressed to Amsterdam dated 'Baltimore 4th Dec 1848', endorsed 'per "Cumbria" / from New York' (erased), routed via London with transit '22/12' on reverse and forwarded with oval 'Forwarded By/ George Peabody/ London 22 Dec 48' on reverse and Dutch entry cachet 'Engeland/ over Rotterdam' in red on reverse (Van der Linden 1025), Amsterdam arrival '15/12' on reverse and manuscript '60' Dutch cents due rating.

The "Canbria" was a Cunard Line steamer sailing from New York via Halifax to Liverpool.

United States. (Transatlantic Mail - Forwarding Agents). 1836. Folded letter written from New York '7th May 1836' addressed to Amsterdam, Holland endorsed 'per "Albertie", forwarded from New York with circular 'Forwarded By/ Saltus & Co/ N. York' in red on reverse, oval Dutch seapost 'ZEE-BRIEF/ Den Helder' in red (Van der Linden 3012) dated '20 Jun' and part Amsterdam arrival with manuscript '90' Dutch cents due rating.

The forwarding agent 'Saltus & Co, New York' is not listed by Kenneth Rowe in his book on world Forwarding agents published in 1974.

United States. (Netherlands - Transatlantic Mail). 1848. Folded letter addressed to Amsterdam cancelled by Baltimore date stamp 'Feb 18 48' in blue with hand-struck 'PAID' and framed oval '5' in blue, endorsed 'Per steamer "Hermann" from New York February 20th', New York transit 'Feb 19' with London arrival '7th Mar' and manuscript '1/8' (U.K. debt to Holland) with hand-struck entry cachet 'Engeland/ over Rotterdam' on reverse in red (Van der Linden 1028) and Amsterdam arrival '9/3' and manuscript '120' Dutch cents due rating.

Carried by the 'S.S. "Hermann" of the 'Ocean Steam Navigation Company' sailing fom New York to Bremen via Southampton.

Persia. (Iraq - Trans-Clipper Rate). 1944. Air Mail envelope addressed to New York bearing Persia 'Air Mail Yvert 66, 2t green and brown and Yvert 67, 3t lilac and blue with 2r olive and 2r50 blue tied by Teheran date stamp '3rd Dec 44' (all on reverse) with 'By Pan American Air Mail Service' blue paper label on face, Arabic censor tape (red on white) reading 'Opened By Censorship Authority' tied by circular 'Anglo-Soviet-Persian-Censorship/ 9' in violet and Russian section circular device in violet with '8' in center, routed via Iraq with circular hand-stamp '7' on face and Baghdad transit '7 Dec' and 'Examined By/ 5870' censor tape applied in New York.

Very fine World War Two High Clipper Rate 54r50.

Persia. (Persian Gulf - Iraq). 1923. Registered envelope endorsed 'O.H.M.S.' addressed to 'The Intelligence Officer. Army Headquarters, Bagdad, Iraq' bearing 'Controle' overprint Yvert 444, 10c brown and rose and Yvert 446, 1k lilac and carmine (2) tied by Tauris date stamp with hand-struck boxed 'R/ Tauris' and Bagdad H.Q. arrival.

In 1923 Iraq was under the British Mandate and the military and intelligence in Baghdad were part of the British Army.

Persia. (France). 1902. Envelope addressed to France bearing Yvert 148, 2c yellow/brown (2) imperf, Yvert 149, 3c green (imperf) and Yvert 150, 5c scarlet tied by Meched date stamp '27th June', transit via Gaoudan '31/6' carried via the Caspian Sea to Baku with Russian Post Office Baku transit '18/7' and Paris receiver '11th Aout 1902' stamps and all postal markings on reverse.

Exceptional three colour franking to France

Persia. 1906. Registered picture post card, multi view card of Teheran addressed to Germany bearing 'Controle' overprint Yvert 223, 2c grey, Yvert 246, 6c carmine (imperf) and Yvert 248, 13c blue (imperf) tied by oval Teheran date stamp '10th Nov 06' with framed hand-struck 'Registered (23 in manuscript) and Berlin arrival '9th Dec 06' on face..

All registered Post-cards are scarce but this three colour mixed issue from Persia is very nice.

Persia. (Switzerland). 1898. Registered Persian postal stationery card '5ch rose' upgraded with Yvert 89, 2c bistre and Yvert 94, 10ch blue tied by Hamadan date stamp '29/5' with 'Perse' registered label, addressed to Switzerland with Teheran transit on face.

India. (used in Mombasa British East Africa). 1898. Envelope addressed in Gujarati to Zanzibar bearing India SG 104, 2a6p yellow-green tied by Mombasa date stamp in blue '30th Sept 98' (with dispatch on reverse) and Zanzibar arrival '2nd Oct 98'.

Following the purchase of Mombasa stock of the First issue stamps by Whitfield King & Co, Indian stamps were obtained almost certainly from Zanzibar and were put into the use at the Imperial British East Africa Post Office at Mombasa between 23rd May and 31st December 1890. (Only 6 covers are known during this period).

Indian stamps were occasionally used up to 1898,
This cover shows the India stamp cancelled by the blue MOMBASA date stamp perhaps unique as the blue cancellation was only used in late September and early October 1898.

Tanganyika. (German Occupation of British East Africa). 1922. 'East Africa & Uganda' postal stationery card 3c green overprinted 'G.E.A.' and upgraded with 'British Occupation of German East Africa' SG 45, 1c black (pair) tied by MWANZA double ring '16th Jy 1922' addressed to England.

Scarce stationery from the German Occupation used from Mwanza (Proud D1). Dates known (16.11.17) - (24.10.20).

Sierra Leone. 1894. Sierra Leone postal stationery card 'one penny' rose cancelled by oval 'POST OFFICE/ YORK/ SIERRA LEONE with adjacent York/ Sierra Leone dated 'Fr 12 94', addressed to London with Freetown transit '14th Feb' and circular 'Paid/ Liverpool/ Br. Packet/ 3rd Mar 94' in red on face (Robertson P 18a).

Very rare village postmark from York, Sierra Leone opened '3.4.93' with very little mail known pre 1900.

Mauritius. (France). 1816. Pre stamps folded letter addressed to France dated '2nd January 1816', cancelled by oval 'PORT LOUIS/ POST PAID' on face, endorsed 'Per "L ' Estafette" with 'Colonies/ Par Bordeaux' French entry cachet 9Salles Fig 69), manuscript '2' (decimes) for local delivery and anointed 'repondue 6th May'

The Paid mark was the first marking used after the British Occupation of 1810.

British West Africa. (Lagos). 1898. Registered postal stationery envelope 'two pence' blue upgraded with LAGOS, SG 21 1/2d green, SG 22, 1d carmine-rose (2) and SG 34, 5d mauve and green tied by bar obliterator with circular Lagos W, Africa/ B date stamp on reverse 'Mr 17' addressed to Germany, routed via Liverpool and London with oval 'Registered/ Liverpool' transit '12 Apr.' and Hamburg receiver on reverse '13th April'.

A very elusive registered postal stationery envelope from LAGOS (Size I).

Thailand. (H.S.B.C.). 1900. King Rama V: SG 16, 12a purple and carmine, SG 50, 10a on 24a purple and blue, SG 69, 2a scarlet and pale blue and SG 76, 10a ultramarine each stamp struck with hand-struck 'H.S.B.C.' in violet (Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank). Nice item with Security chop.

Thailand. (H.S.B.C.)/ 1890. King Rama V: SG 12, 2a green and carmine, SG 16, 12a purple and carmine, SG 50, 10a on 24a purple and blue and SG 51, 4a on 12a purple and carmine each struck with hand-struck 'H.S.B.C.' in violet (Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank). Nice item with Banking security chop.