Auction #39

Lebanon Russian Offices. Cover written on 4 July 1868 (handwritten in Arabic on the envelope) shipped from TRIPOLI to Ibrahim Naccache in ALEXANDRIA. Franked with 2 Piastre blue and rose ROPIT stamp with horizontal network and vertical lines shadow (Michel 4 I) killed by the "ТРИПОЛИ 4/7/68" black CDS (Tchil. fig 211, RRR on ROPiT stamps). The fast arrival attested by the Russian CDS "РОПиТ АЛЕКСАНДРИЯ" dated 8/7/1868 (Tchil. fig 256) suggests that in Beirut shipping hub has been transhipped from the Slow to the Express line steamer always of Russian shipping Company. Y. Nakri Photoexpertise. EXCEPTIONALLY RARE.