J.-B. Moens - Catalogue prix-courant de Timbres-Poste - 1892

Unique J.-B. Moens Philatelic Archive (1891-1892) - Illustrated Handwritten Letters, Invoice & Rare 7th Edition Catalogue Prix-Courant (With Album Sketch & Moscow Postal History Cover)
Description:
This is an exceptional and highly historic philatelic archive from the workshop of the "father of modern philately", Jean-Baptiste Moens (J.-B. Moens) of Brussels. This unique lot offers a rare combination of a monumental reference catalogue and original, handwritten business correspondence spanning 1891–1892.
The lot consists of the following components:
1. J.-B. Moens Catalogue Prix-Courant de Timbres-Poste (7th Edition, Tome I, 1891-1892):
• Composed and published by J.-B. Moens, 42 Rue de Florence, Brussels.
• Beautiful half-leather binding with gold lettering, raised bands on the spine, and classic marbled paper boards.
• Features the complete, strict sales conditions (Conditions de Vente), an incredibly interesting late 19th-century worldwide currency exchange table (Tableau des Monnaies), and the highly sought-after reference plates (Planches 1 to 13).
• Includes rare, detailed woodcuts/engravings of classic worldwide issues, most notably the famous "Black Swan" of Western Australia (Plate 10) and early Ottoman Empire Tughra stamps (Plate 2).
• Printed by Imprimerie Ch. Fonteyn, Louvain.
2. Unique Handwritten & Illustrated Correspondence (May 1891):
• An original handwritten letter on the official letterhead of J.-B. Moens, dated May 26, 1891.
• Crucially, the letter features a unique hand-drawn architectural sketch of a loose-leaf stamp album (Albums à feuillets mobiles), detailed with specific numbering layouts and requests for luxury Moroccan leather bindings.
• Accompanied by the matching handwritten itemized invoice/statement calculated in Belgian francs for various catalogue volumes and atlases.
3. Rare Imperial Russian Postal History Cover (Moscow to Brussels):
• An authentic commercial envelope addressed directly to Monsieur J.B. Moens in Brussels, bearing a clear, historic circular postmark from Moscow (МОСКВА), Russian Empire. This cover brilliantly visualizes Moens' vast international client network.
Condition:
In very good, authentic antique condition. It shows minor shelf-wear, slight scuffing at the leather edges, and natural time-toning of the paper—all of which heavily underscore its 130+ year history and provenance. Completely free of any modern restorations or tape fixes.
An absolute centerpiece lot for collectors of philatelic history, rare books, and 19th-century postal history.
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