The Alfred F. Kugel Collection
June 18-19, 2024
We are pleased to present our June 18-19, 2024 auction, featuring Part One of the Alfred F. Kugel collection of Postal History of the world, being sold on behalf of the American Philatelic Society. The first of many to follow, this sale is only a sample of the vast amount of material yet to be presented. We begin with United States Dollar values on cover, U.S. States Postal Agencies in the Far East, U.S. International Registration Exchange Labels, U.S. Intervention in Mexico and Registered Mail from U.S. Possessions. There is a splendid selection of the International Intervention in China during the Boxer Rebellion, extensive showing of German Colonies in China and the Pacific, with dozens of rare and unusual items, including unique Tientsin handstamps on 2m and 3m Reichspost. In addition, there are selections of World War I British Occupation of Baghdad, Jordan, Salonika, Mafia Island, Saudi Arabia, plus elusive covers from the Austrian, British, Ottoman, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese Empires.
This is a Public Auction, with Floor Bidding and live internet bidding via CherrystoneLIVE
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #3591 BRITISH COMMONWEALTH IRAQ - Mesopotamia Military Air Post 1917 two "On Active Service" covers, first with "Royal Flying Corps I.E.F./ "D" datestamp, addressed to England, "Opened Under Marshal Law" censor label on back, F.P.O. No.55 and "Passed Censor D" markings. The second cover (Royal Flying Corps Crest and "Per Ardua.Ad Astra" motto on backflap) bears "Basra Base" Registry label, "Passed Base D Censor" cachet, franked on back with I.E.F. 2a George V, tied by Base Office D/IEF pmk, with London (4 Dec 1917) arrival, minor faults (a small number of aircraft and men of the Royal Flying Corps (the predecessor of the RAF) were assigned to the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Corps  | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #3592 BRITISH COMMONWEALTH IRAQ - Mesopotamia Military Air Post 1919 (24 Feb) cover endorsed "On Field Service Per Aerial Mail Baghdad-Cairo", carried on Baghdad-Cairo survey flight of 31st Wing, R.A.F., showing "POSTAL SERVICE, M.E.F./AERIAL MAIL, BAGHDAD-CAIRO / BY 31 ST. WING. R.A.F. MESOPOTAMIA" cachet in magenta cancelled by F.P.O. (24 Feb 19), Army Post Office SZ10 (1 Mar 19) cds, finally to England, with Spetschley Mar 1919 arrival, rare | Price Realized $2,900.00 |
 | Lot #3593 BRITISH COMMONWEALTH IRAQ - Mesopotamia Military Air Post 1919 (9 Jan) Field Service India card endorsed "By Aeroplane", carried on the military flight from Baghdad to Delhi, showing "POSTAL SERVICE M.E.F./AERIAL POST BAGHDAD-DELHI/PER/HANDLEY-PAGE AEROPLANE" cachet in red-violet, Indian "F.P.O. 55" cds alongside, another cachet "CARRIED BY AERIAL MAIL / BAGHDAD-DELHI / JANY. 1919" in violet, Delhi and Agra arrival cds, fine, | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #3594 BRITISH COMMONWEALTH IRAQ - Mesopotamia Military Air Post 1923 postcard and cover, the latter flown 26 March 1923, with special cachet "General Head Quarters British Forces in Iraq Air Mail" (reserved for use by high ranking personnel at HQ, in this case by General Lucas, director of Stores and Transport), the former with oval "Air Mail Center Hinaidi 1 Oct 1923" datestamp and bearing endorsements "By Official Air Mail Baghdad-Shaibah", pilot signed, scarce lot | Price Realized $2,100.00 |
