Postmarks of Austrian post offices abroad

Postmarks placed in Austrian Levant post offices (usual name in catalogues).

An overland courier service in the Levant was established after the Peace of Passarowitz (1721) and was recognized in 1739. In 1748 an Austrian post office was set up in Galatia separately from the Constantinople embassy, and the service extended to Smyrna. After 1836 mail was carried by the Austrian Lloyd Steam Navigation Company (Österreichischer Lloyd), based in Trieste, which operated train post offices and whose agents acted as postmasters.

There were a total of 81 Levant post offices, half of which were Lloyds post offices, ran by the Austrian Lloyd shipping company. Stamps were used from 1863 to 30.9.1914 when all Austrian post offices were closed. The stamps were valid in Albania until early 1915.

Currencies: 1 Florin (Gulden) = 100 Soldi, from 1.5.1888: 1 Piaster = 40 Para and 1 Franc = 100 Centimes.

See Gallery Stamps of the Levant for unused stamps or without a quality postmark.

Austrian post office in Jerusalem located inside the Jaffa Gate. Note the bilingual (French and German) name.

First period 1863-1888 (soldi currency)

The soldi currency was valid until 31 July 1888.

The use of stamps of Lombardy and Venetia can be recognized only by a clear cancellation, in the 1863-1867 period, hence the sorting by current country. Michel N°V14 to V23.

Post offices in Albania

Offices were located in Durazzo, Santi Quaranta, San Giovanni di Medua, Scutari and Valona.

• 
  Blue fingerhut at DURAZZO, registered cover to Costantinopoli in 1873. Office opened in 1854.
• 
  San Giovanni di Medua on the 1883 issue. Office opened in 1880.
• 
  Circle at DURAZZO in 1885.

Post offices in Bulgaria

Offices were located in BURGAS, FILIPOPOLI, KÜSTENDJE, RUSTSCHUK, SOFIA, VARNA and WIDDIN. They were closed in the 1880-1884 period.

• 
  Varna fingerhut in 1871.

Post offices in Egypt

Offices were located in Alexandrien (1845-1889) and Porto Said (1869-1872).

Alexandrien

• 
  2 soldi L-V issue 1863, circle. Mueller type RS-f (15 points). MiV14
• 
  15 soldi issue 1863. MiV18
• 
  15 soldi brown, L-V 1864 issue. MiV23
• 
  2 soldi orange, 1867 issue Mi1Ia. Müller type gfEj (8 points)
• 
  15 soldi issue 1867, Mi5I. Müller type aE (15 points).
• 
  50 soldi issue 1867, one of the 2 postmarks Registered with town in the period (the other is BUKAREST). Müller type agE (30x3 points). Mi7IA
• 
  10 soldi blue, 1876 issue Mi4II
• 
  2 soldi yellow-brown, 1883 issue. Mi8
• 
  3 soldi green, 1883 issue, Mi9
• 
  10 soldi blue, 1883 issue, Mi11
• 
  20 soldi grey, 19 mm in 1884, Mi12
• 
  50 soldi reddish-lilac, 19 mm in 1885, Mi13

Post offices in Greece

Offices were located in Cavalla, Corfu (Kerkyra), Dedeagach (now Alexandroupoli), Janina, Metelino (Mytilene), Prevesa, Rhodus, Salonich (now Thessaloniki), Sayada, Serres, Vathy, Volos. Sorted by year of stamp issue.

• 
  JANINA with 1864 issue. MiV22 & V23
• 
  PREVESA with 5 soldi 1864 issue & 2x2 soldi 1863 issue. MiV21 & MiV14
• 
  Rhodus 5 soldi issue 1867, brown type Müller A86
• 
  Rhodus 5 soldi issue 1867, black type Müller A86 on cover to Trieste
• 
  JANINA in 1869 on a 22 soldi cover (2 + twice 10), Mi1I&4I
• 
  Cavalla 15 soldi, rare blue cancellation. Mi5
• 
  Janina in 1875 with 15 soldi brown. Mi5I
• 
  SALO(NICH) 3 soldi issue 1878

Prevesa (Preveza)

• 
  2 soldi issue 1863 (perf.14) MiV14
• 
  3 soldi issue 1863 (perf.14) MiV15
• 
  2 soldi issue 1864 (perf.9½) MiV19
• 
  3 soldi issue 1864 (perf.9½) MiV20
• 
  5 soldi issue 1864 (perf.9½), MiV21
• 
  10 soldi issue 1864 (perf.9½), MiV22
• 
  15 soldi issue 1864 (perf.9½), MiV23
• 
  Cover to Corfu in 1868, with tax.
• 
  Cover in 1869 on a 10 soldi cover to Kerkyra; 20 lepta tax in Greece. Mi4I
• 
  3 soldi, green. Circle type aE (35 points). Mi2Ia
• 
  Prevesa postmark on 5 soldi, 1867 issue
• 
  10 soldi, fine issue, circle with year (Müller type gnEj, 30 points, in use since March 1874). Mi4II

Post offices in Crete

• 
  1869 Cover CANDIA to ATENA, with 10 soldi + 20 lepta postage due in Greece.
• 
  1869 Cover brown CANDIA to SYROS, with 10 soldi + 2x10 lepta postage due.
• 
  1871 Cover CANDIA to KYTHERA, with 10 soldi + 20 lepta postage due in Greece.
• 
  1874 Cover RETTIMO to Smyrne, with 5 soldi pair (coarse). Blue circle (Müller 40x2 points).
• 
  5 soldi fine. Circle at RETTIMO in 1884 (Müller type gnEj, 30 points, in use since February 1875, 35 points).
• 
  1884 Cover RETTIMO to Smyrne, with 10 soldi (coarse). Blue circle.

Post offices in Lebanon

Offices were located in Beirut (since 1845, note its various names) and Tripolis (since 1858).

• 
  5 soldi issue 1867, Italian cancelled BERUTTI, Müller type aE (15 points). Mi3Ia
• 
  5 soldi issue 1867, grotesk brown cancelled BEIRUTH (with H) on 21-3-1878. Mi3Ia
• 
  10 soldi issue 1876, cancelled BEIRUTH, Müller type gnEj (10 points). Mi4II
• 
  15 soldi issue 1881, antiqua cancelled BEIRUT on 1-9-81. Mi5IIA

Post offices in Montenegro

Offices were located in Antivari (now Bar) (in the 1854-1878 period) and in San Giovanni di Medua (Dulcigno) (in the 1879-August 1915 period).

• 
  5 soldi blue cancelled Antivari Bar, Montenegro

Post offices in Palestine (Israel)

• 
  15 soldi brown, issue 1864, used at JAFFA (now Israel). MiV23
• 
  Part of cover from JAFFA to Beirut, with pairs of 3 and 2 soldi issue 1867. Type aEz (25x2 points). Mi1I & 2I
• 
  Id, Italian cancelled GERUSALEMME on 15-8-1883. Type gnEj since 25 Oct 82 (30 points). Mi4IIA

Post offices in Romania

The newly established post of Hungary in 1867 ruled 6 post offices in the future Romania. They closed on 31 March 1869.

• 
  2 soldi issue 1863, cancelled JBRAILA (Braila). MiV14
• 
  15 soldi issue 1864, cancelled BUKAREST RECOMMANDIRT. MiV23
• 
  15 soldi brown on fragment, Hungarian style cancelled in GALATZ (now Romania) on 13-1-1869. Mi5Ia

Post offices in Turkey

Offices were located in Adrianopel (now Edirne), Alexandrette (now İskenderun), 3 offices in Constantinopel (now Istanbul), Dardanellen, Gallipoli, Ineboli, Kerassund (now Giresun), Latakieh, Mersina (now Mersin), Rodosto (now Tekirdağ), Samsun, 2 offices in Smyrna (now İzmir), Tenedos, Trapezunt (now Trabzon).

Adrianopel - Edirne

A post office was opened before 1858, and closed in 1909.

• 
  Cover in 1867 franked 40 soldi to France. DC, Mueller type RDb-f (35 points).
• 
  Cover in 1873 franked 35 soldi to France. Ornamented DC, Mueller type aDz (30x2 points).

Constantinopel (I)

A post office was opened before 1787, named CONSTANTINOPEL I in 1887. Note the 2 types of ornamented DC.

• 
  Lombardy-Venetia, 10 soldi issue 1863 (perf.14). Michel N°V17
• 
  Lombardy and Venetia, 5 soldi issue 1864, ornemented DC. MiV21
• 
  To Philippopoli in 1869, mixed franked 20 soldi. MiV21 & 5I brown. Lot 1383 sold 600 SF in 2000.
• 
  Lombardy and Venetia, 10 soldi issue 1864, Italian cancelled LLOYD AGENZIE COSTANTINOPOLI 9/11. MiV22
• 
  To Marseille, franked 40 soldi in 1869. Mi5I brown & 6I grey-lilac. Transit Autr.Strasbourg. Lot 1401 sold 950 SF in 2000.
• 
  Pair of 2 soldi KK Levant, CONSTANTINOPEL to Vienne in 1872. Mi1Ia
• 
  3 soldi issue 1867, ornamented DC cancelled (Müller aDz). Mi2Ia.
• 
  15 soldi issue 1867, deep brown, ornamented DC cancelled (Müller type aDv). Mi5Ib
• 
  15 soldi brown issue 1867, late cancelled on 24-7-1874. Mi5Ia
• 
  25 soldi 1867, grey-lilac, circle cancelled. Mi6Ia.
• 
  50 soldi issue 1867, cancelled. Mi7Ia
• 
  10 soldi issue 1876, ornamented cancelled (Müller type aDv). Mi4IIA
• 
  5 soldi pair issue 1878, ornamented cancelled. Mi3IIa
• 
  10 soldi ultramarine, 1883 issue, circle in 1885, Mi11
• 
  20 soldi grey, 1883 issue, Mi12
• 
  50 soldi red lilac, 1883 issue, Mi13
• 
  50 soldi violet, 1883 issue, Constantinopel I Oesterreichische Post in 1888. Mi13

Constantinopel II

Post offices II and III opened in 1887.

• 
  20 soldi issue 1883, circle cancelled at CONSTANTINOPEL II on 28-2-88. Mi12A.

Gallipoli

Operated in period 1845-1909.

• 
  2 soldi issue 1867, Italian cancelled GALLIPOLI (NEL LEVAN)TE. Mi1Ib

Samsun

Operated in period 1845-1914.

• 
  1872 cover with 45 soldi.
• 
  2 soldi yellow-brown, 1883 issue Mi8 (rare used)

Smyrna - Izmir

A post office office was opened before 1813.

• 
  10 soldi blue issue 1867, fingerhut cancelled SMIRNE on 10-1-74. Mi4I
• 
  15 soldi brown, 1867 issue, fingerhut SMIRNE postmark, Mi5I
• 
  10 soldi issue 1876, Italian (Lloyd agency) cancelled SPED.POST (PRESSO LLOYD) SMIRNE. Mi4IIA
• 
  5 soldi deep rose, 1883 issue, SMIRNE in 1885, Mi10
• 
  1o soldi ultramarine, 1883 issue, SMIRNE in 1885, Mi11

Overprints (1886-1907)

Quality cancels are moved to their countries below. Many values are relatively rare truly cancelled!

Post offices in Egypt

• 
  10 para on 3 soldi, issue 1886, cancelled at ALEXANDRIEN (Egypt) on 24-4-88. Mi14

Post offices in Greece

Offices were located in Cavalla, Corfu, Dedeagach (now Alexandroupoli), Janina, Metelino (Mytilene), Prevesa, Salonich (now Thessaloniki), Sayada, Serres, Vathy, Volos. Sorted by date of issue.

• 
  1 Piaster on 10 kr, Mi17
• 
  Overprint 1 piaster, violet cancelled SCIO-CESME. Mi17
• 
  2 piaster issue 1888, bilingual cancelled SALONICH-SALONICCO on 5-2-89. Mi18
• 
  Cavalla postmark, 1Piaster on 10 Kreuzer blue, 1890 issue. Mi23
• 
  Bilingual Salonich-Salonicco, 1 piaster pair 1893
• 
  Janina postmark, 1 piaster pair 1895, Mi23
• 
  1 & 2 piaster, registered cover in 1896 at PREVESA, Mi23-28
• 
  Rodi postmark, 2 piaster 1891 issue, cancelled on 26-10-95, Mi28
• 
  Prevesa postmark, , 5 Piaster on 50 Kreuzer lilac, 1891 issue, Mi29
• 
  1 piaster issue 1900, cancelled SALONICH I on 16-10-01. Mi34
• 
  2 piaster overprint on 50 heller, issue 1900, cancelled at PREVESA, Mi35
• 
  5 piaster overprint on 1 krone, issue 1900, cancelled at PREVESA, Mi36
• 
  1 piaster overprint, issue 1905, cancelled at PREVESA in 1904!!!. Mi49
• 
  10 para grasgrün, issue 1906, cancelled at PREVESA in 1908. Mi51

Post offices in Crete

The island was officially attributed to Greece in 1913.

Offices were located in Candia (now Iraklion), Canea (now Chania), and Rettimo (now Rethymno).

• 
  Rettimo 1884 Mi3II
• 
  Candia 1888 Mi17
• 
  Canea 1895 Mi23
• 
  10 Piaster on 1 gulden pale lilac, 1896 issue, Canea postmark, Mi30
• 
  2 piaster, cancelled at CANEA on 1-5-01, Mi35
• 
  Canea 1901 Mi42 ?
• 
  Candia 1907 MiKreta14

Post offices in Lebanon

• 
  Issue 1888, overprint 1 Piaster on fragment, cancelled BEIRUTH on 28-5-1891. Mi17.
• 
  10 para issue 1890, blue-green, cancelled at BEIRUT on 22-11-1895. Mi21
• 
  10 piaster issue 1892, deep blue, cancelled at BEIRUT on 25-01-1896. Mi26
• 
  10 para grünlichschiefer, 1905 issue, bridge BEIRUT. Mi47
• 
  2 Piaster graublau, 1905 issue, part cancelled TRIPOLIS (SYRIEN). Mi50

Post offices in Palestine

Offices were located in Haifa, Jaffa, Jerusalem. The link with current Israel is avoided on purpose.

Caifa (now Haifa)

Operated in period 1854-1914.

• 
  5 piaster issue 1900 cancelled CAIFA. Mi36.

Jaffa

Operated in period 1854-1914.

• 
  A 5 piaster stamp cancelled at Jaffa in 1892. Mi29.

Austrian post office in Jerusalem located inside the Jaffa Gate

Jerusalem - Gerusalemme

Operated in period 1852-1909.

• 
  10 Para on 3 kreuzer green, 1890 issue with part Jerusalem postmark. Mi21
• 
  Issue 1890, overprint 20 para, violet part cancelled JERUSALEM ÖSTERREISCHICHE POST on 5-2-1899. Mi22
• 
  A 20 para stamp cancelled at Jerusalem in 1899, on a German postcard!

Post offices in Turkey

Turkey post offices Overprints 1886-1907

Alexandrette - İskenderun

The Austrian office operated between 1854 and 1914.

• 
  20 para issue 1905, from ALEXANDRETTE. Mi48

Constantinopel (I) - Istanbul

• 
  10 para on 3 soldi, issue 1886, light cancelled at CONST(ANTINOPEL). Mi14
• 
  10 Para on 3 kreuzer green block of six, 1886 issue, Mi15
• 
  1 Piaster on 10 kr, 1888 issue, Mi17
• 
  2 Piaster on 20 kr, 1888 issue, Mi18
• 
  5 Piaster on 50 kreuzer violet, 1888 issue, Mi19
• 
  8 Para on 2 kreuzer brown, 1892 issue, Mi20
• 
  10 Para on 3 kreuzer green, 1890 issue, Mi21
• 
  20 Para on 5 kreuzer rose, 1890 issue, Mi22
• 
  1 Piaster on 10 kreuzer blue, 1890 issue. Stamp on fragment with full postmark of post office I, Mi23.
• 
  5 Piaster on 50 kreuzer violet, 1890 issue, Mi25
• 
  2 Piaster on 20 kreuzer green, 1891 issue, Mi26
• 
  5 Piaster on 50 kreuzer violet, 1891 issue, Mi27
• 
  10 Piaster on 1 gulden blue, 1892 issue
• 
  20 Piaster on 2 gulden carmine, 1892 issue
• 
  20 Piaster on 2 gulden grey green, 1896 issue, Mi31
• 
  Postal card 20 para, Constantinople Postamte 12 in 1896 to Berlin. MiP12
• 
  10 Piaster on 1 gulden grey violet (pale lilac), 1896 issue, 1899 cancel Mi30

Constantinopel II and III

Offices opened in 1887.

• 
  1 Piaster ultramarine Austrian Levant issue 1888, circle cancelled at CONSTANTINOPEL II on 28-7-88. Mi17
• 
  1 Piaster ultramarine Austrian Levant issue 1888, fragment circle cancelled at CONSTANTINOPEL II on 13-4-89. Mi17
• 
  2 Piaster on 20 kreuzer green, 1891 issue, cancelled post office II, Mi26

Ineboli

Operated in period 1854-1914.

• 
  20 para overprint on 5 kreuzer, issue 1890, cancelled at INEBOLI on 23-4-99. Mi22

Kerassunde

Operated in period 1872-1914.

• 
  Issue 1888, 10 para, cancelled KERASSUNDE on 2-12-89. Mi15

Mersina

Operated in period 1854-1914.

• 
  Issue 1908, pair of 30 para, cancelled MERSINA. Mi55

Samsun

Operated in period 1845-1914.

• 
  Pair, overprint 20 para, issue 1903, cancelled SAMSUN ÖSTERREICHISCHE POST on 28-3-04. Mi44

Smyrna - Izmir

• 
  1 piaster on 10 kreuzer ultramarine, 1890 issue, Mi23
• 
  20 Piaster on 2 gulden grey green, 1896 issue with double circle postmark, Mi31
• 
  10 para on 5 heller blue-green, 1900 issue, Mi32
• 
  20 para on 10 heller pink, 1900 issue with ' SMYRNA I' double circle postmark, Mi33
• 
  Postcard with 20 para on 5 heller

Trapezunt - Trebisonda, Trabzon

A post office office was opened in 1845.

• 
  1 piaster overprint on 25 heller, issue 1900, cancelled at TRAPEZUNT on 23-3-00. Mi34

1908 Jubilee

Turkish currency

Michel N°53-61. 10 para to 20 piaster

• 
  10 para green, brown bridge METELINO (Greece) on 7-8-1911. Mi53
• 
  30 para brown, pair, bridge MERSINA (Turkey). Mi55
• 
  1 piaster, DC ADRIANOPEL (Turkey) to Constantinople. Postage due 2 piastres (circles T & CENTES, bilingual postmarks). Sold 220 SF in 2000. Mi56.
• 
  1 piaster blue, bridge (V)ATHY (Greece). Mi57
• 
  Registered cover with AR (Avis de Réception) in 1909. Sold 700 SF in 2000. Mi56&57
• 
  2 piaster red, bridge METELINO (Greece) on 18-11-1911. Mi58
• 
  Mandate for money transfer from SCIO to Mit-Berak in Egypt. Sold 420 SF en 2000. Mi58

French currency

Michel Österreichische Post auf Kreta N°17-22, 5 centimes to 1 Franc. Stamps for Crete in French currency, but used also in all Austrian Levant post-offices.

• 
  A 5 centimes Crete 1905 (?) issue, cancelled at Jerusalem
• 
  KK Crete, overprint 5 centimes, green issue 1906, bridge SMYRNA in March 1908. Mi14
• 
  KK Crete, overprint 10 centimes, rose issue 1906, DC SMYRNA I. Mi15
• 
  Issue 1908, pair 10 centimes, cancelled CONSTANTINOPEL II on 5-11-11. Mi18

1914 issues

Valid until 30 September 1914. Only the 1 piaster (on blue paper) is usual cancelled.

• 
  1 piaster, cancelled CONSTANTINOPEL III on 22-1-14. Mi63
• 
  25 centimes on mandate from JANINA to Switzerland on 15-5-14. MiCrete24.
• 
  10 centimes cancelled SMYRNA 21-VII-14. MiCrete23. Rare truly used, sold 1,000SF in 2000.

Sources and Bibliography

• Handbook of Austria and Lombardy-Venetia Cancellations on the Postage Stamp Issues 1850-1864, by Edwin MUELLER, 1961, for a list of Austrian post-offices in the Levant using the 1863-1864 issues
• Die Poststempel auf der Freimarken-Ausgabe 1867 von Österreich und Ungarn, Edwin MUELLER, 1930, for a list of Austrian post-offices in the Levant using the 1867 issue
• Österreich 1850-1918, Spezialkatalog und Handbuch, von Dr. Ulrich FERCHENBAUER, Wien 1981, Chapters Österreichische Post in der Levante, auf Kreta, Die Post der DDSG.
• MICHEL Österreich-Spezial 1985

See also

Information about the post offices in Smyrne archive copy at the Wayback Machine