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Lot# 6057 - Auction 298-307

  • Lot# : 6057 Austrian Levant

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    Napoli, Austrian Lloyd Agency in Molfetta 1853 (April 12): Entire letter from Molfetta to S. Elia di Valfortore, Campobasso, struck on front with perfect impression of negative oval "AGENZIA DEL LLOYD AUSTRIACO / MOLFETTA" sunray handstamp in black. Despatched and fully prepaid at the Napoletan post office in Molfetta with matching light oval despatch and framed FRANCA handstamps, both in red on front. On reverse, two-line NAPOLI arrival (April ..) datestamp in red. Some toning not distracting at all from this very rare usage of the Molfetta Lloyd handstamp of which only two other strikes on cover from the Monte Napoleone collection are known, which had no postal function but was used as a sender's cachet. Certs. Chiavarello (1981), Goller (2021).rnrnNote: The sender Ignazio Fontana worked from 1850 at the Austrian consulate in Molfetta and had obviously additional functions for the Lloyd agency, a combination often seen.rnProvenance: Henry W. Houser collection, RL Zürich (June 1992), lot 1018.
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,000 CHF