Lot 120
REVENUES & CINDERELLA
Moresnet: A superb collection of this very small territory between Germany, Belgium & The Netherlands that existed as a neutral micro state 1816-1919. The collection neatly written up in English includes 1886 'set' of 8 values imperf mint to 50pf, set perf mint, imperf set cancelled KELMIS 10 OCT 86 MORESNET in violet, set of 8 perf with no longer valid (AUSSERS COURS GESETZT) overprint. 1900 PPC of Moresnet stamp on postcard, 1901 colour PPC Map of the area, 1900 Belgium 10c P/S env cancelled Moresnet cds plus two other stamps, 1904 regd P/S card uprated to Austria tied Moresnet cds, 1898 Madagascar P/S card addr to Dr Molly Pruss. Moresnet with arrival cds, 1858 Letter from the Zinc Mine Company with Belgium 10c imperf postmarked Chenee (Their admin office) and Vieille Montagne h/s, 1862 Montzen letter with 50c telegraph Express letter (Montzen was the nearest post office to Moresnet), Belgium newspaper wrapper with MORESNET boxed h/s, other covers plus interesting story of a French dealer producing bogus Moresnet labels to dupe another French dealer (3 examples included). The areas had a population of around 3500 and the local physician Dr Wilhelm Molly wanted to transform the town into the first Esperanto speaking state, he also issued its own local stamps in 1886 on 1st October which lasted 2 weeks before they were withdrawn on 19th October, they were valid for local post inside Moresnet and were then overprinted no longer valid (AUSSERS COURS GESETZT). Very few were postal used as singles or on cover which are rare. Some forgeries are known.
Estimate £ 1350.00
