1955-60 20m Brown and deep turquoise-blue with a large white crescent moon variety caused by a loose piece of paper prior to printing, superb unmounted mint and very unusual. S.G. 178var. Photo on Page 47. £120-140
Postal History and CoversOttoman Period |
1816 Entire letter from Cyprus to Aix, disinfected with chisel slits and vinegar staining, with "12 / MARSEILLE" handstamp, the reverse endorsed by the Marseille forwarding agents Cardieu & Roy. An unusual forwarded letter. Photo on Page 22. £200-250
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c.1870 Stampless official cover sent within Cyprus, sent free of charge to the Ministry of Finance, reverse with an impressed red wax seal. Minor creasing and unobtrusive opening faults at top edge but very scarce, few official covers recorded from Cyprus during the Turkish Administration. Photo on Page 22. £1,600-2,000
G.B Used in Cyrus |
Larnaca. 1878 (Oct 9) 1 1/4d Postal stationery postcard commercially used to London cancelled by superb "942" with red London Paid arrival c.d.s on the front, backstamped with Larnaca c.d.s. Vertical central fold, two scrapes on the front and a few very minor edge tears; still a good looking example of an exceptionally rare card, just one other example recorded used in Cyprus. Photo on Page 22. £1,200-1,500
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Larnaca. 1879 (Apr 2) Registered double rate cover to London bearing 1d red plate 195 pair and 2 1/2d rosy-mauve plate 12 pair each tied by "942" numeral, with oval "REGISTERED/CYPRUS" datestamp also tying the stamps and blue crayon registration number "15". Backstamped with a further strike of the Registered Cyprus datestamp and a London arrival c.d.s. Probably the finest of the very few registered covers recorded with GB stamps. A rare and exceptional double rate registered cover. Photo on Front Cover. £9,000-12,000
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Larnaca. 1880 (Feb 24) Cover to Italy with 2 1/2d rosy-mauve plate 15 tied by "942" numeral, a superb Larnaca c.d.s alongside, arrival backstamps. Photo on Page 22. £400-500
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Larnaca. 1880 (Mar 23) Entire to Livorno bearing 1880 2 1/2d blue plate 17 tied by superb "942" numeral with superb "LARNACA / CYPRUS" c.d.s on the front, backstamped at Brindisi and Livorno. Side flaps removed and the addressees name obliterated with two violet handstamps, but still an attractive item and an exceptionally rare use of the 2 1/2d blue on cover. This 2 1/2d blue was issued on 5th February 1880 and was replaced by the Cyprus overprints on 1st April, and so was in use on the island for just eight weeks. Rare even as a single stamp (S.G. Z19, £500), there were no examples on cover in the Cruttwell or Warwick collections. Photo on Page 22. £1,500-2,000
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Larnaca. 1879 (Oct 17) Registered letter receipt for letter No. 209 sent to Nicosia, with "LARNACA / CYPRUS" c.d.s, three vertical folds, otherwise fine. Probably the only surviving registered letter receipt from the G.B stamp period, ex. Cruttwell. £240-300
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Limassol. 1880 (Mar 5) Cover to Paphos franked at the 1d inland rate by two examples of the 1/2d rose-red plate 13 tied by "975" numeral with "LIMASSOL / CYPRUS" c.d.s below. Both stamps with some insect damage, the cover with a little light staining and roughly opened at right edge with a small part of the c.d.s torn away. Nevertheless a rare use of the 1/2d stamps to pay the internal letter rate; the Cruttwell and Warwick collections each contained one internal cover franked at the 1 1/2d rate, paid by a 1/2d + 1d (sold for £7,000) or three 1/2d stamps (sold for £10,000). Photo on Page 22. £3,500-4,000
Cyprus Overprints on Cover |
Larnaca. 1880 (Sep 14) Cover to Italy with the 2 1/2d U.P.U letter rate paid by 1/2d rose plate 19 and 1d red plate 205 pair tied by "942" numeral cancels with "LARNACA / CYPRUS" c.d.s alongside, backstamped at Firenze. An exceptional franking to pay the 2 1/2d rate, especially with the rare 1/2d plate 19 (S.G. £700 as a stamp), one of the finest Cyprus overprint covers known. Photo Inside Front Cover. £9,000-12,000
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Larnaca. 1880 (Sep 11) 2d Size G postal stationery registration envelope with Cyprus overprints on the flap, sent to the U.S Treasury Dept. in Washington D.C franked at the double rate by 2 1/2d rosy-mauve plate 14 pair with central "942" cancel, tied by red oval Registered London datestamp, with red "LARNACA / CYPRUS" and oval "REGISTERED / CYPRUS" datestamps on the front. A fine and very scarce used postal stationery cover; the Cruttwell and Warwick collection each contained one example of the first overprinted registration envelope, both used with a single 2 1/2d stamp. Photo on Page 25. £2,800-3,200
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Limassol. 1880 Cover to London with 2 1/2d rosy-mauve plate 14 tied by "975" numeral, a red London Paid arrival c.d.s (Oct 14) on the front, unusually without any Cyprus c.d.s. Photo on Page 25. £400-500
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Limassol/Larnaca. 1880 (Nov 15) Entire letter from Limassol to Nicosia with a 1d red plate 208 paying the internal letter rate, the stamp unusually left uncancelled at Limassol so cancelled in transit at Larnaca with the "942" numeral, the "LIMASSOL / CYPRUS" c.d.s below. Reverse upper flap missing and a light vertical fold, otherwise fine and an exceptionally scarce inland 1d rate franking. Ex. Warwick. Photo on Page 25. £5,000-6,000
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Limassol. 1881 (May 11) Cover to Nicosia with a 1d red plate 217 paying the inland rate, tied by "975" numeral with superb "LIMASSOL / CYPRUS" c.d.s alongside, backstamped at Larnaca and Nicosia. An exceptionally scarce 1d inland rate cover of outstanding quality. Ex. Warwick. Photo Inside Front Cover. £6,000-7,000
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Nicosia. 1880 (Dec 4) 1/2d Postcard with Cyprus overprint commercially used within Nicosia, cancelled "969" with "NICOSIA / CYPRUS" c.d.s alongside, addressed to "J. Bertzickyt Esq., Royal Engineers Department, Nicosia". A very unusual military use of this first issue postcard and one of the very few commercial uses known. Photo on Page 25. £1,500-1,800
1881 Key Plate Issue, Watermark Crown CC |
1881 (Nov 18) Entire letter from Larnaca to Nicosia franked at the printed matter rate by a single 1/2pi emerald-green tied by "942" numeral with a Larnaca c.d.s below, backstamped at Nicosia. Very fine and scarce. Photo on Page 25. £600-700
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1882 (Mar 12) Cover to Germany bearing 1/2pi emerald-green strip of four tied by three "942" numeral cancels and a Larnaca c.d.s, a further Larnaca datestamp alongside, with an arrival backstamp. An exceptionally scarce use of a Crown CC 1/2pi strip to pay the 2pi letter rate, exhibition quality. Photo Inside Front Cover. £3,500-4,000
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1881 (Oct 30) 2pi Size F registration envelope to Alexandria franked by 2pi blue cancelled "975" numeral with Limassol c.d.s and red oval Registered Cyprus datestamps on the front, all superb, backstamped upon arrival. Fine and scarce. Photo on Page 25. £500-600
Later CoversFeaturing numeral cancels, R.P.O cancels, explanatory handstamps, civil censors and forces mail.
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1882 (Sep 26) Long O.H.M.S cover to "Commissioner, Nicosia" bearing Crown CC 2pi and " 1/2" surcharge on 1/2pi pair (S.G. 23) each cancelled by scarce "D47" numeral with a Troodos c.d.s below. An exceptionally scarce use both of the 1/2pi surcharge stamps on cover and of the "D47" numeral which was issued to Polymedia but is known used from Troodos during the summer months of 1882-85 (with five covers and cards recorded). A portion of the cover has been torn out to the left of the stamps (now filled with blue paper); however the 3pi rate is correct and no other stamps are removed. Photo on Page 25. £1,200-1,500
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1883 (May 21) 1pi Postcard to London uprated with Crown CA 1/2pi dull green each tied by Limassol squared circle with the rare boxed "PAID / LATE FEE" alongside, all superb, exhibition quality and possibly unique. Photo on Page 27. £1,800-2,000
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1884 (May 6) 2pi F Size registration envelope franked 1/2pi tied by "982" numeral of Famagusta, sent to "The High Commissioner, Nicosia" and redirected to Kyrenia. Backstamped at Larnaca, Nicosia and Kyrenia, finally delivered to the Headquarters Camp, with fine "HEADQUARTERS CAMP / CYPRUS" c.d.s on the front. Three file holes at lower edge, two with additional small pieces of the cover torn away, still an attractive item and a very scarce datestamp, just five examples recorded on cover, this being the only recorded example on a registered cover. Photo on Page 27. £800-1,000
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1884 (Sep 19) 2pi G Size registration envelope from Nicosia to England bearing Crown CA 4pi and 6pi, two scarce values on cover. Photo on Page 27. £500-600
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1885 (July 24) 2pi F Size registration envelope from Troodos to Kyrenia franked 1/2pi tied by two "D47" numerals and oval framed "R" with superb "TROODOS / CYPRUS" c.d.s below, backstamped at Larnaca, Nicosia and Kyrenia. The "D47" numeral was issued to Polymedia but is known used at Troodos in the summer months of 1882-85; this is the only registered item and finest of the five "D47" covers and cards recorded from Troodos. Photo on Page 27. £1,000-1,200
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1886 (Feb 12) A.R Form for a registered letter sent within Nicosia, containing delivery and despatch details and Nicosia datestamps, addressed back to the sender franked Crown CA 2pi tied by superb oval framed "R". The earliest known Cyprus AR form, still using the British form printed in March 1879, which refers to affixing a 2 1/2d stamp. An exceptionally scarce item, outstanding quality and superb appearance. Photo on Page 27. £1,500-1,800
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1887 (Feb 24) Cover to London bearing Crown CA 1pi and 2pi (both marginal) each cancelled by Larnaca squared circle with straight line "PAID LATE FEE", backstamped at Smyrna British P.O and London. Insignificant opening tear of upper edge, otherwise fine and very rare. The finer of just two recorded examples of this "Paid Late Fee" handstamp. Photo on Page 27. £1,600-1,800
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1887 (Aug 30) Cover from Troodos to Scotland with Crown CA 2pi tied by "942" numeral with "TROODOS / CYPRUS" c.d.s above, superb quality and very rare. The "942" numeral was issued to Larnaca but is known used at Troodos during the summer of 1887; just two postcards and this one cover are recorded. Ex. Warwick. Photo on Page 27. £900-1,100
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1889 (Apr 24) 2pi F Size registration envelope to England bearing Crown CA 30pa pair, 1/2pi and 2pi all tied by Larnaca squared circle datestamps, with red framed "R" and oval registered datestamps of Cyprus and London. An unusual and attractive franking. Photo on Page 27. £450-600
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1892 (Jan 5) Cover to Guatemala bearing Crown CA die I 1pi and 2pi with central "982" numeral cancel and "FAMAGUSTA / CYPRUS" c.d.s (year omitted) below, backstamped at Larnaca and by violet octagonal "RECIBIDA / EN GUATEMALA". A very scarce 3pi non-UPU rate to an unusual destination, superb appearance. Ex. Cruttwell. Photo on Page 29. £600-800
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1893 (May 23) Cover to London bearing 1892 die II 2pi tied by "D47" numeral with "POLYMEDIA / CYPRUS" c.d.s alongside, an exceptionally fine example of this scarce numeral cancel. Ex. Warwick. Photo on Page 29. £500-700
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1893 (Sep 15) G.B 1/2d Postal stationery postcard sent from Osbournby to London then redirected to Larnaca, handstamped "T" in London with large "1 C.P" charge mark applied upon arrival, very fine and scarce so early. Photo on Page 29. £400-500
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1894 (Aug 2) Cover to Larnaca bearing 1892 die II 1/2pi tied by fine "D48" numeral with "PLATRES / CYPRUS" c.d.s on the front, backstamped at Limassol and Larnaca. The "D48" numeral was issued to the Head Quarters Camp but was used at Platres from 1889. Some light staining but scarce, very few examples of the "D48" numeral recorded on cover. Photo on Page 29. £700-800
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1896 (Feb 28) 1/2pi + 1/2pi Reply card, both halves uprated with a 30pa stamp, the outward half sent from Nicosia to Beyrouth (with British P.O arrival backstamp); the attached reply half then posted back to Nicosia, the stamps cancelled "942" upon arrival with a Nicosia arrival c.d.s applied. A scarce correct use both from and back to Cyprus. £200-250
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1896 (Aug 26) Parcel Post label bearing 1892 1pi and 1894 9pi (2) and 18pi tied by Larnaca datestamps, an exceptional 37pi franking on a very scarce label, exhibition quality. Photo on Page 29. £1,600-2,000
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1897 (July 8) 2pi F Size registration envelope to "The High Commissioner, Troodos" bearing two examples of the 1894 1/2pi each tied by Limassol squared circle, very fine and attractive. £120-150
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1897 (Dec 18) Cover to Scotland bearing 1896 2pi tied by "POLYMEDIA / CYPRUS" c.d.s, backstamped at Limassol. A scarce use of this c.d.s as a cancellation. Photo on Page 29. £400-500
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1901 (Mar 16) QV 10pa Newspaper wrapper from Larnaca to Limassol handstamped with very scarce "REFUSED" and a "RETURNED LETTER OFFICE / CYPRUS" c.d.s code "B", very fine. Photo on Page 29. £250-300
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1902 (Feb 21) QV 10pa Newspaper wrapper from Nicosia to Limassol handstamped "NOT KNOWN". The wrapper has some scorching mainly to the reverse and lower edge, but could be refolded to show the stamp, address and handstamp without any of the scorching being visible. Believed to be the only recorded example of this "Not Known" handstamp. £200-250
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1903 (Apr 24) 2pi G Size registration envelope to Greece with two 1896 30pa stamps each tied by Limassol squared circle, red oval Registered Cyprus datestamp, backstamped at Piraeus and Athens. Exceptionally fine and attractive. Photo on Page 29. £240-280
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1903 (Mar 24) Long O.H.M.S cover to the USA bearing 1896 2pi and 1902 KEVII 1/2pi single and strip of three tied by fine "KYRENIA / CYPRUS" datestamps. Vertical fold at left side and small tear at lower right corner, the stamps and cancels very fine, an attractive commercial mixed franking of QV and KEVII issues. £200-250
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1904 (Sep 3) Picture postcard with 1902 KEVII 1/2pi tied by the rare "2" numeral cancel, transit c.d.s of Limassol. These "1" to "6" numerals were issued in 1899 and were used at district offices to cancel loose letters brought in by rural messengers. Very few are known on cover, and this is the only recorded example of this number "2" on cover or card. Photo on Page 31. £700-900
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1905 (Jan 7) Picture postcard bearing 1904 1/2pi tied by fine "R.P.O / 4 / CYPRUS" with a Nicosia arrival c.d.s. The only recorded example of this number "4" Railway Post Office cancel on cover or card. Photo on Page 31. £1,200-1,500
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1909 G.B 1d Postal stationery envelope sent from London to Government House in Nicosia, backstamped by superb double circle "SEA POST OFFICE / CYPRUS" c.d.s, an early use. £180-220
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1912 Registered cover to India with 1904 KEVII 30pa and 1pi pair tied by "TROODOS / CYPRUS" datestamps, bearing a Troodos registration label, backstamped at Port Said and Port Taufiq. A little minor staining, an attractive cover from Troodos. Photo on Page 31. £200-250
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1914 Picture postcard to Nicosia with 1912 marginal KGV 10pa tied by double ring "R.P.O / No. / 10 / CYPRUS", the only recorded example of this Railway Post Office cancel on cover or card. Photo on Page 31. £1,000-1,200
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1915 (Apr 27) Large registered O.H.M.S cover to Switzerland with KGV 4pi tied by Nicosia bridge type double ring datestamp, oval franked "R" handstamp and boxed four line "REGISTERED" handstamp with "NICOSIA / Cyprus / No. 312" in ink. Reverse with wax seals impressed with "NICOSIA / (crown) / CYPRUS" mailbag seals and a Bern arrival c.d.s. This Indian type boxed Registered handstamp believed to have been left in Cyprus by the Indian Field Post Office in 1878; just two examples are recorded. Vertical fold at left, otherwise fine, very rare. £450-500
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1915 (Aug 6) Stampless cover to England with "TROODOS / CYPRUS" c.d.s, signed "C McCree, Major, 7th Bn A.I.F". From an Australian Officer at the convalescent camp at Mount Troodos, probably evacuated from Gallipoli. Fine and very scarce. Photo on Page 31. £240-280
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c.1916 Stampless On Active Service cover to Scotland signed "J.A Inglis, Lieut." with "FAMAGUSTA / (crown) / CYPRUS" intaglio mailbag seal handstamp, a few minor edge faults, otherwise fine and extremely scarce. Just three examples recorded of this mailbag seal handstamp, all on stampless WW1 soldiers covers; the Cruttwell example sold for £980. Photo on Page 31. £800-1,000
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1916 (Apr 10) Stampless cover headed "On active service" and signed "R. H Tait, Lieut." with "POLYMEDIA / CYPRUS" c.d.s and red triangular No. 3094 army censor cachet, addressed to St. Johns, Newfoundland. A few edge faults strengthened with paper, nevertheless a scarce use of an army censor in Cyprus to an unusual destination, possibly from an Officer in the Newfoundland contingent. £200-250
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1918 (Sep 18) Stampless picture postcard to Paris headed "Franchise Militaire", the picture side with "TRESOR ET POSTES / 601B" c.d.s, applied over the picture and therefore a little unclear in places but exceptionally scarce; the Cruttwell collection contained one example of this c.d.s. £200-250
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1919 (June 24) Stampless On Active Service cover from Constantinople to Famagusta with octagonal framed No.11 army censor cachet and boxed "CYPRUS" applied in the same ink. Reverse with Army Post Office "Y" c.d.s and a Famagusta arrival c.d.s (July 14) tying the Base Censor label. Very scarce, the "Cyprus" cachet presumably applied by the censor to highlight the address so the cover could be sent directly to Cyprus and was not missent to England. Photo on Page 31. £350-400
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