22-01-2026, 09:04 AM
I came across this commercial cover not too long ago ... a post WW1 use of a British Post Office in Constantinople cancel. It was dated October 20, 1920 and posted to Bubech & Dolder in Basel, Switzerland. It was sent from J. W. Whittall & Co.
According to Whitney, this postmark in 'clear English' was in use until 1923. However my edition of Whitney's Postmarks lists it as a single ring cancel (23/12) ... the cancel on this following cover is a double ring which is not listed in the 7th edition copy of his book. I wonder if it has been added to the handbook since then?
As for Bubech & Dolder, there is a listing in the Swiss Archives but it is not visible online. It may be a predecessor company of today's Chemical firm Dolder AG which started out as a merchant and supplier of dyes for textiles. This appears to be supported by the fact that J. W. Whittall & Company was founded by the Whittall family in Constantinople who had "built and equipped a factory for the extraction of the tanning properties of valonea by a process discovered by a local chemist, an Armenian, Elmasian, and patented by the firm." (see: www.levantineheritage.com/book2.htm)
Stamp: Postage & Revenue
George V
Issued October 1912
2.5d, Cobalt Blue
SG 371
Cancel:
Double ring CDS
Between the rings - BRITISH POST OFFICE / CONSTANTINOPLE
Centre - A / 20 OC / 20
Cheers, Hugh
According to Whitney, this postmark in 'clear English' was in use until 1923. However my edition of Whitney's Postmarks lists it as a single ring cancel (23/12) ... the cancel on this following cover is a double ring which is not listed in the 7th edition copy of his book. I wonder if it has been added to the handbook since then?
As for Bubech & Dolder, there is a listing in the Swiss Archives but it is not visible online. It may be a predecessor company of today's Chemical firm Dolder AG which started out as a merchant and supplier of dyes for textiles. This appears to be supported by the fact that J. W. Whittall & Company was founded by the Whittall family in Constantinople who had "built and equipped a factory for the extraction of the tanning properties of valonea by a process discovered by a local chemist, an Armenian, Elmasian, and patented by the firm." (see: www.levantineheritage.com/book2.htm)
Stamp: Postage & Revenue
George V
Issued October 1912
2.5d, Cobalt Blue
SG 371
Cancel:
Double ring CDS
Between the rings - BRITISH POST OFFICE / CONSTANTINOPLE
Centre - A / 20 OC / 20
Cheers, Hugh
Hugh MacDonald, Wolfe Island
Member: BNAPS. PHSC, Auxiliary Markings Club, Postal Stationary Society, British Postmark Society,
AMG Collectors Club, China Stamp Society, France and Colonies Philatelic Society
ArGe Deutsche Feldpost: 1914-1918 e.V.