Auction 265th - 273rd - Day 1

1869 (Dec 16): Cover from Rio de Janeiro to Florence, Italy at double rate carried on the French Packet "Gironde", franked by exceptional usage of 1866 430 r. yellow, perf. 13½, in a vertical pair tied by sunburst segmented cork cancellations in black. Framed "P.D." in red at right alongside "Rio de Janeiro" despatch cds (Dec 17). Reverse with Firenze arrival cds (Jan 9, 1870). The envelope with slight nick at right well away from the adhesives which have been lifted for examination and hinged back to the cover. Illustrated in Edition D'Or on 59 on page 71. A wonderful cover - the perforated 1866 issue is of great rarity on cover. Signed on reverse "Guaranteed Genuine, J.M. Bartels". Certs. B. Moorhouse (2011), BPA (2011).