Corinphila Auction 291-297 Day 3

1849/1918: Strong, predominantly used, classic and semi-classic collection in three self designed Albums, containing many excellent quality classic stamps and covers. The collection commences with an array of twelve pre-philatelic letters, including a Relais (ESTAFETTE) letter from ANTWERP to PARIS.  The CERES issues contain 24 stamps up to 1 f carmine and nine covers including a 10 c. bistre single franking. The 1852 Presidential issue contains a fine 10c bistre, cleanly cancelled, the subsequent Empire issue includes a lovely strip of three of the 1c olive-green with two fine double circle date stamps MONTPELLIER and a fine 1f carmine signed Hofinger, as well as 25 letters. The 1862 perforated issue contains a fine block of four of the 20c blue on cover from LUNEL to MONTPELLIER. The subsequent 1863 issue includes an exceptional 5f Napoleon of superb appearance, as well as two lesser copies. The BORDEAUX issue is is also strong with 40 stamps, a pair of the 30c brown and a letter. The later issues are naturally also present with many railway postmarks, as well as occasionally used abroad. Following the turn of the century there is a smattering of unused stamps, as well as a significant number of interesting covers and letters. The quality is naturally mixed but much above average for the period. A rewarding collection.