RARE 1st-TYPE "ALEXANDRIE." MARK ON COVER TO CAIRO AT THE 10...

Hammer

£420

RARE 1st-TYPE "ALEXANDRIE." MARK ON COVER TO CAIRO AT THE 10 DECIMES INTERNAL RATE; 17 Nov. 1798 EL (minor stains inside but fine address panel and reverse) from "Alexandrie" to "Citoyen Chasteau, S. Commissaire de la Marine A Boulac [Boulaq in Cairo]" with a mainly fine early impression of the french P.O. "ALEXANDRIE." mark (only recorded Sept. 1798 to May 1799) on the front with "10 [decimes]" postal rate. The letter concerns a large payment. Most French Occupation mail of this period was sent as official free mail; this is a rare example of a private individual sending a letter and being charged postage. The internal mail system in occupied Egypt only started on 2 August 1798; this is an early example. Cross Reference: MILITARY - NAPOLEONIC WAR, EGYPT, FRANCE