Auction 265th - 273rd - Day 5

French Shipmail in the Levant 1871 (July 20): Entire letter from Beyrouth to Tarare, franked by Bordeaux 40 c. orange, two fresh adhesives, tied by light dotted Anchor lozenge in blue, octogonal "BEYROUTH PAQ. FR. X N° 4 20 JUIL. 71" cds in blue of the line X (Salles fig. 905), framed PD in blue and framed PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANÉE in red alongside. Reverse with Marseille transit and Tarare arrival cds (Aug 4). Left stamp touched at top, horizontal filing fold away from the stamps, nevertheless a most attractive item.rnNote: In July 1871 the rate for a 10 gram letter was doubled from 40 to 80 c., first month of the new rates, the present item was transported with the vessel AMERIQUE leaving Marseille on July 8 and returning on August 3.