EARLIEST KNOWN(?) CANALA MARK - UNDATED 2-RING "N.C. POSTES/...

Estimate

£220 - £300

EARLIEST KNOWN(?) CANALA MARK - UNDATED 2-RING "N.C. POSTES/*CANALA*" CERES COVER TO FRANCE; Remarkable 27 Oct. 1876 env. (some edge stains/wear) from Canala to Valence with Ceres 10c Brown on Rose (near 4m) + 30c Pale Brown (margins in places; one corner slightly over the edge) both tied by a partly fine 2-ring "NOUMEA" cds but also having a partly fine rare 2-ring "N.C. POSTES/*CANALA*" cds alongside (and slightly beneath the 30c) as well as a partial red 2-ring "FR. PAQ. V. SUEZ" (Marseilles?) cds. The Canala PO opened in 1859 but no marks are apparently recorded before 1877, so this 1876 example may be the earliest Canala postmark. Rare example of the Ceres Issue used in a New Caledonian village. [Ex Eastgate.]Cross Reference: FRANCE