Special Notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Pre-Lot Text
Suez Canal Company
1868 (July) Issue, Lithographed by Chézaud, Ainé & Tavernier, Paris
On 30 November 1855 a concession to construct the Suez Canal was granted to Ferdinand de Lesseps, and the Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez was formed. Work commenced in April 1859 and the canal was opened on 17 November 1869
The company transported mail free of charge between Port Said and Suez from 1859 to 1867, when it was decided that payment should be made for the service. Postage stamps were introduced in July 1868. Letters for destinations beyond Port Said or Suez required additional franking with Egyptian or French stamps
The stamps were withdrawn from sale on 16 August 1868 and demonitised on 31 August