Corinphila Auction 284-290 Day 5

French Shipmail in the Levant 1872 (Jan 24): Cover from Bursa, despatched at Constantinople and directed to Lyon, bearing Napoléon laureated 80 c. rose, a fine adhesive with fresh colour, tied by clear Anchor lozenge in blue. Octagonal "CONSTANTINOPLE PAQ. FR. U no. 4 24 JANV. 72" shipmail' datestamp and framed PD, both in the same blue shade as well as framed "PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANÉE" in red alongside. Reverse with MARSEILLE transit (Jan 31) and LYON arrival (Feb 1) cds's in black. Horizontal file fold well away from the franking and postmarks, nevertheless an attractive item, the franking paying the 80 c. rate from a French P.O. in the Levant to France in the tariff of September 1871, the cover made its journey on board of the steamer 'Tanais'.