Auction Series 257-264 in Zurich Day 1

1866 (Jan 1): 2 pi. orange-yellow, a diagonally bisected example used to pay the 1 pi. single rate on 1867 cover to Suez, tied by three strikes of the "Poste Vice-Reali Egiziane / Cairo" cds in blue (July 24). Reverse with Suez arrival cds of the same day in black. File fold well away from the adhesive, an exceptional bisected usage and most attractive. Signed Todd AIEP. Cert. RPSL (2001) Gi = £ 2'750.rnrnProvenance: Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Spink, London, 17 May 2001, lot 160.rnrnNote: The 2 piastre stamp was bisected due to a lack of the 1 piastre adhesives. Bisection was authorised on the 13th July and examples are found used in Cairo between (always cancelled in blue) until July 31, 1867 when the second issue was released for sale.
Catalogue 257: EUROPE & OVERSEAS