Lot 2433

✉ CRETA. 1898. 20 pa. bright violet, a handstamped impression of the stamp applied to the centre of the back of an envelope and tied by a black sraightline HERAKLEION handstamp. The envelope is slightly reduced and a portion of the front side is missing, several fods/edge tears have been reinforced, none of the above affect the strong impression of the frank and rare of little consequence considering the rarity and importance of this cover. It is reported that supplies of the 20 pa. stamp were sent from Herakleion to the other offices enclosed in envelopes in which the impression of the stamp was struck on the envelope as kind of "official" frank. There are tow known surviving examples of this franking, both stamped on the envelope (S.G. 1). Ex. Lewis and Friend. Cert. P. HOLCOMBE.