Page 52 - Best Bid 7 | 2017

1865 - LEVANTE RussO
LETTERA PER BEIRuT
AFFRANCATA CON DuE
sTRIsCE VERTICALI
DI QuATTRO DEL 10 PA.
ROsA E AZZuRRO
1865 - RussIAN LEVANT
COVER TO BEIRuT FRANKED
WITh TWO VERTICAL
sTRIPs OF FOuR OF 10 PA.
ROsE AND BLuE

VENDuTo a
SolD aT
€ 9.150

MaUriCe BUrrUS
portrait of a collector

Tobacco magnate, owner of factories in Alsace and switzerland, Following his death, Burrus’s stamp collections were acquired
generous benefactor and deputy in the French parliament, by a financial company that was created ad hoc by various
maurice Burrus (1882-1959) is also remembered by history for his important industry players: Amhelca Trust. After making a direct
stamp collection, which is considered to be one of the greatest deal for a series of pieces from the collection, the company
of all time, if not the greatest, given the vast number of rare entrusted the sale to the Robson Lowe firm from 1962 onwards.
stamps from around the world it contained. he discovered his
passion for philately as a young boy and later, as an adult who The most important dealers and collectors from all over the
enjoyed considerable means thanks to his thriving businesses, world attended the historic auctions, many of which were held
he was able to purchase many exceptional pieces, including the in Basel, acquiring examples for which the provenance ‘ex Burrus’
only cover to be franked with both of the first two mauritius now constituted a prestigious and lasting pedigree.
‘Post Office’ stamps. A number of lots from the French magnate’s albums, in
exceptional condition, were sold at Bolaffi auctions in April
A person of great knowledge and refined taste, Burrus was also and October 2016. giulio Bolaffi knew Burrus personally, as
a great fan of architecture, financing excavations and restoration one of his trusted dealers, well-known and liked for his tireless
works in the ancient city of Vaison-la-Romaine in Vaucluse, and commitment to obtaining the very best quality.
ancient art, collecting French furniture and paintings that were
kept in his sumptuous residences in hombourg, Lausanne and Among the items auctioned was a 2 pence pale blue post paid
sainte-Croix-aux-mines and later donated to the museum of stamp issued in mauritius in 1848 on a cover for Port Louis,
strasbourg.

50b 7.2017 highlights