Corinphila Auction 291-297 Day 4

Italian Post in Tunis, Levante Emissioni generali 1881 (Sept 6): Registered cover front from Tunisi to Ancona, bearing 1874 Torino-like printing with ESTERO ovpt 2 l. 'scarlatto chiaro' in combination with a three examples of 30 c. 'bruno', placed as block of four adhesives, tied by central and clear '235' barred obliterator with single-circle "TUNISI POSTE ITALIANE" cds, framed RACCOMANDATO and "coi Postali Italiani" handstamps alongside. A gorgeous franking which could be explained by paying correctly a heavy registered cover of 150 to 160 gramms. Front stabilized on reverse with hinges as to be expected for an item of that sheer size, the usage of the 2 Lire adhesive is of utmost rarity, a famous item. Cert. Botacchi (2001) Sassone = € 38'550 for a complete cover / Zanaria & colleagues for a comparable combination = € 15'000.rnReference: Displayed and discussed in Zanaria, Serra & dal Negro - Catalogo strorico-postale dei francobolli in uso negli uffici postali italiani all'estero 1852-1890, on page 47.