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Lot# 723 - 210-212 Auction

  • Lot# : 723 Sicily

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    1859: 50 grana chocolate brown', a superb example used with 20 gr. slate-grey 'grigio ardesia', used on small 1859 envelope from Messina to Paris neatly tied in black, with framed 'P.D.' at right in black and Messina despatch datestamp (April 24) at base. Reverse with opening flap missing but with 'Marseille-Paris' cds (April 27). An exceptional franking, illustrated in Nino Aquila 'Il Francobolli del Ultimo Re' on page 282 (Aquila records just two covers with this spectacular franking to France) and just four covers in all with a 70 grana rate. An extremely rare usage of the 50 grana on letter in outstanding quality on a most attractive cover, without doubt one of the most important items of classic Sicily recorded. Signed A. Bolaffi, G. Bolaffi, A. G. Bolaffi. Certs. A. Diena (1972), Bolaffi (1995 - quality rating 100), Aquila (1998), Colla (2000). Michel = € 70'000/Sassone = € 280'000.

    Provenance: Collection Barcella; Corinphila sale 129 (October 2001), lot 949.
    Starting bid : 20,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 34,000 CHF