Auction 99 Images for Lot 233
All estimates are in Australian dollars. Bids cannot be accepted below the reserve, which is 70% of the estimate.
An "*" after the starting price indicates that limit or alternate bids are still affecting this lot.
Australian buyers will be charged GST on lots with a "T" after the estimate.
Click here to check on our symbols and terminology.
| C | B | 1889 (Aug 2) cover from Germany to "Butaritari/Macin Gilbert Inseln" via Singapore (OC13/89) & Sydney (NO17/89) with the address crossed-out & re-addressed to "British New/Guinea" where it received the 'GRANVILLE/24DE/99/B.N.G' b/s (Lee #4; rated F). Forwarded to 'FINSCHHAFEN/24 4/90/*', then to Weltevreden (20/6/1890) & Singapore (JU26/90), then back to 'PORT MORESBY/SP17/90/NEW GUINEA' (Lee #1; rated F), & 'SAMARAI/30DEC90/B.N.G' (Lee #24; rated E). At various points it received straight-line 'UNCLAIMED' (poor strike on face, possibly at Port Moresby), boxed 'NON RECLAME/ UNCLAIMED' & unframed 'RETOUR' (both of Queensland pattern so could have been applied at Port Moresby &/or Samarai) & boxed 'REBUT/À L'ORIGINE' (European?). Finally returned to Germany with 'MEISSEN/10.1.99' & 'CÖLLN/11.1.99' b/s (!). Not surprisingly the cover eventually fell apart but has been expertly repaired. [Without doubt, the most significant Pacific Islands cover we have ever offered. It is the earliest recorded cover to the Gilbert & Ellice Islands, where the first post office opened only in 1911; the 'PORT MORESBY/NEW GUINEA' cds is the only example recorded on cover; and the Granville cds is the latest of only 4 recorded on cover. With historical notes supplied by Roger Lee who acquired this & two 1890s covers from Butaritari - see our Rarities Auction on 25/1/2003 - from a descendant of the addressee] | 25000 T |
Click here to enter your bids for this auction.
Click here to return to the listing of material in lot order.
Click here to order your catalogue for this auction.
Need to convert an amount to a different currency?
Use our Currency Converter.