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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3146

(x) International Miliary Contingent in Shkoder
1913 (June 23). Cover from Shkodër (Scutari) to Amiens, endorsed at top “Troupes débarquées à Scutari” (troops landed at Scutari), from a member of a temporary French naval landing detachment in Shkodër from the French cruiser “Ernest Renan”, showing at right cachet with anchor ‘marine française/service a la mer’ and ‘escadre/1re Division Légère/"ernest renan"’ handstamp at left, franked with “F.M.” (“Franchise Militaire”) overprinted "Semeuse" 10c., transported in a closed bag to Modane in France, where the franking was tied by c.d.s. of Modane to Dijon T.P.O., backstamped on arrival. To our knowledge, the only cover known of the French naval detachment in Shkodër, with six additional covers so far known from the later and longer period of control by French land troops.

note: In May–June 1913, international forces occupied Shkodër after the withdrawal of the Montenegrins. French naval forces arrived provisionally in June and were replaced on 7 August by a land contingent of 203 men (out of a total of 1,802 international troops). We presume that the small naval detachment may have consisted of around 100 men and remained in Shkodër for only about two months (in contrast to the one-year presence of the land contingent).

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£600 to £1,000

Starting price
£500