360 / Mai 2015 London

1857 (April 13): Entire letter from Hong Kong to the 'Le Comte Cavour', Minister of Foreign Affairs in Turin (and later a leading figure in the movement to Italian Unification), endorsed inside 'pr. Steamer Madras via Marseilles' and on front panel 'via Alexandria and Trieste', struck on despatch with Crown PAID AT HONG KONG in red with double arc 'Hong Kong' cds in black (April 14) on reverse. Blue ink '9/9' (kreuzers by land and sea) deleted at left, struck with 'D. A. a. L.' (Diretto Austriaco Austriache Lire) in red above. Fascinating letter: 'I shall have much pleasure in accepting the offer of Consul at Canton...you will be aware that relations with the Govt. at Canton are suspended owing to the measure of hostilities that have been forced on the Representatives of Her Britsih Majesty's Government...the British Admiral still retains his position on the river at Canton, he has punished aggresive measures...an adequate force would enable him to strike a decisive blow'. A fine and most unusual usage prepaid to Sardinia.

1857: Cover mailed from Hong Kong to Turin addressed to the head of the Civil List of Private Patrimony to the King of Sardinia, endorsed at top 'Via Malta', struck on reverse with double HONG KONG cds in black (Dec 15) and MALTA double arc cds (Jan 22, 1858). The letter was held at Malta presumably for non-payment and the reverse marked 'Postaggio eragato dal Console di S.M. ni Malta - £ 1.85 al .... borsabile pressi i .. Bonafond'. The cover being sent on with manuscript 'Malta' used as cancellation on front and prepaid 1/6 d. in red manuscript. Three line PIROSCAFO / POSTALI / FRANCESI in red and Genova cds alongside in black (Feb 5) and TPO cds and Turin arrival on reverse with manuscript 'Recevuto 1.8 lire / 10 Febrario 1858'. An extraordinary and rare cover.

1863/71: 2 c. brown, 12 c. pale greenish blue and 30 c. orange vermilion overlapped on small 1866 envelope endorsed 'via Alexandria' to Genoa, Italy tied by 'B62' obliterators in black, with single ring 'Hong Kong' despatch cds (July 26) on reverse. Transit cds of British Post Office in 'Alexandria' (Sept 6) on front and small cartridge PIROSCAFI / POSTALI / ITALIANI in black. Reverse with Brindisi cds (Sept 10) and Genova arrival cds. A charming and scarce 44 cent three colour franking.