Corinphila Auction 284-290 Day 5

1854: Envelope from the French Army during the 1859 Italian War of Independence, sent from the 'Bureau Central' Fieldpost to Montauban, bearing Napoléon imperf. 20 c. blue Type I, a fresh and fine example with fair to large margins, tied by light "AAG" grill obliterator, matching despatch "ARMÉE D'ITALIE Bau CENTRAL 5 OCT. 59" cds alongside. Reverse with three French ambulant cds's and arrival cds (Oct. 9). Fine cover correctly franked at the military concessionary rate, however taxed, presumably due to a higher weight. A rare usage after the end of the hostilities when a five-division French occupation force remained in Lombardy and Parma from August 1859 until July 1860. Maury = € 1'650.