386th Auction

1860, 40 c. carmine, large to very large margins, from position 12 of 50 subjects, cancelled by partial Milano c.d.s., a very fine example from this sought-after position, signed Alberto Diena, Oliva.

1861, 40 c. rose vermilion, ample to very large margins, showing portion of adjoining stamp at right, from position 12 of 50 subjects, tied to 1862 folded cover to Nice, France by Genova c.d.s. (5 Apr), endorsed in manuscript “par Vapeur 'Roma;”, “Italie / Menton” (6 April) French entry c.d.s. on front,, without backstamps, much fresher than often encountered, signed Enzo Diena, with 2013 Cardillo certificate. 

1862, 40 c. rose carmine, four good to large margins, showing nearly full outer frameline consistent with position 12 of the pane of 50 subjects, tied to small piece by 1896 dotted numeral of Marseille (Sassone 13 Pts), a very fine example of this scarce plate position combined with an desirable cancellation, multiple pencil signatures on reverse.

1862, 40 c. rose carmine, four large even margins all around, centrally-struck with clear “Alessandria d Egitto” c.d.s. (20 Mar, 1863) in blue, light mark at lower left corner, not detracting from the tremendous visual appeal of this choice postmark. (Michel 13)

1858, 80 c. orange bistre, vertical pair, ample to large margins, close at lower right, dual strikes of Genova c.d.s. (25 Aug), fresh colour, a fine multiple, signed Alberto Diena . (Michel 14a)

1858, 80c dark orange bistre, large-margin single, tied to piece by Genova c.d.s. (7 Oct, 1859), very fine, signed Alberto Diena. (Michel 14b)

1859, 80 c. light olive yellow, four large even margins, neatly-cancelled by Chiavari c.d.s., ight shade, very fine, signed Enzo Diena. (Michel 14a)

1861, 80 c. yellow orange, four mostly large margins, superbly-struck Chiavari c.d.s. (23 Apr), bright colour, very fine, signed Alberto Diena, Bolaffi. (Michel 11var)

1861, 80 c. yellow orange, four large even margins, cancelled with neatly-struck framed “Piroscafi Postali Francesi” in black, a choice example of this difficult ship marking, very fine. Cert. Sorani (2014).

1862, 80 c. deep orange, well-centered within four large margins, choice strike of “Alessandria d'Egitto / Poste Italiane” in blue (19 Mar 1863), very fine and most attractive. (Michel 14 var)

1861, 3 l. “rame vivo”, four large balanced margins, centrally-struck “Chiavari” c.d.s. (22 Nov, 1862), rich colour, a lovely example, very fine. Cert. Sorani (2013). (Michel 15)

1861, 1 c. intense black, horizontal pair, ample to large margins, cancelled by “Meina” c.d.s. (10 Sep, 1863, Sassone 10 Pts), a very fine multiple and scarce postmark, very fine. Cert. Cardillo (2014). (Michel 16 var.)

1861, 1 c. grey-black, horizontal strip of three, variety without embossed numeral ("senza cifra", Bolaffi 44B), unused, without gum, large margins all around, assigned proof status in Sassone, striking and very fine. Cert. Dr. Alvi (2007).

1859, ½ gr. orange, Plate I, Naples paper, good margins on three sides, tied by horseshoe to part “Giornale di Catania,” the newspaper with light stains in places, but a scarce example paying the newspaper rate, handstamped Hertel, signed Alberto Diena.

1859, ½ gr. orange, two singles, one each from Plate I and II, both with good to large margins and with part original gum, the Plate II example close at foot, bright colours, the Plate I example with small imperfection at right, a useful duo.

1859, mint stamps ½ gr., 1 gr., 2 gr., 5 gr. and 20 gr., Mi.1-4 unused o.g., Mi.6 no gum, good to wide margins on all sides. Signed Bühler and E. Diena

1859, ½ gr. orange (arancio), plate I, Naples paper, unused o.g., well margined, signed Enzo Diena (Sassone 1a)

1859, 1/2gr orange, Plate I, Naples paper, horizontal pair, mostly good margins, touched at upper left, fresh colour, fine.

1859, ½ gr. orange, Plate I, Naples paper, a well-margined single from position 75, neat horseshoe cancellation, a most attractive stamp, very fine, handstamped Koehler, with 2007 Sorani certificate. (Michel 1)

1859, ½ gr. orange (arancio), plate I, Naples paper, fine cancelled with horseshoe upside down, very well margined and perfect. Cert. Enzo Diena (Sassone 1a)

1859, ½ gr. dark orange (arancio scuro), plate II, Naples paper, fine cancelled with horseshoe upside down, very well margined and perfect, signed E.Diena, Certificate G. Bühler (Sassone 2c)

1859, 1gr., 5gr., and 10gr. singles, typical mixed margins, tied to folded letter front by horseshoe cancellation, datestamp at upper right and endorsed “Col. Postale Francese”, to Napoli, front only and various imperfections, but an uncommon franking, signed Alberto Diena.

1859, ½ gr. dark orange, Plate II, Naples printing, unused, with part original gum, fresh colour, almost imperceptible thin spot on King's forehead, else very fine.

1859, 1 gr. olive brown, Plate I, Second State, a large-margin single, affixed to small piece and struck with horseshoe cancellation, a few trivial spots on portrait, else very fine. Cert. Raybaudi (1984).

1859, 5 gr. blood-red (rosso sangue), Plate I, a used example of fine deep colour, face free cancelled in black, good margins on three sides, tiny touched on top right. Cert. Enzo Diena (Sassone 9c)

1851, 1 gr. brown olive, Plate II, Naples paper, horizontal strip of three, margins touched in places, neatly-cancelled, a fine multiple.

1859, 5 gr. vermilion (vermiglio ch.), Plate I, good margins on all sides, a used example of bright colour, face free cancelled in black. Cert. Enzo Diena (Sassone 10)

1859, 5 gr. brick-pink (rosa mattone), Plate I, a used example of fine deep colour, face free cancelled in black, good margins on three sides, tiny touched on top right, otherwise fine. A scarce stamp. Cert. Raybaudi (Sassone 9f)

1859, 5 gr. vermilion, Plate II, a used example of fine deep colour, good margins all round, lightly cancelled in black, tiny paper repaired, otherwise fine. A scarce stamp. Cert. Oliva (Sassone 11)

1859, 1 gr. dark olive green, Plate III, Naples Paper, horizontal pair, tied by 1859 folded cover to Palermo by horseshoe cancels, postmarked with oval handstamp, Palermo c.d.s. receiver (23 Apr) struck on front, signed Colla and Raybaudi, with their certificates.

1859, 20 gr. grey-slate (grigio ardesia), bright colour, good margins on all sides, unused, fine, signed Sorani and E. Diena (Sassone 13)

1859, 20 gr. grey-slate (grigio ardesia), good margins on all sides, a used example of fine deep colour, face free cancelled in black, signed G. Bühler (Sassone 13)

1859, 2 gr. dark cobalt, Plate I, Naples Paper, horizontal pair, from positions 35 and 36 of the sheet, good to large margins, cancelled with dual strikes of black horseshoe, pleasing shade, a challenging pair in this quality, with 2014 Cardillo certificate. 

1859, Two stamps 50 gr. reddish-brown and lilac-brown, unused original gum, good to wide margins on all sides, signed Sorani and E. Diena (Sassone 14, 14a)

1859, 2 gr. light blue, Plate III, horizontal pair, and 10 gr. dark blue, mostly large margins, tied to 1860 folded letter piece by black horseshoe cancel, Catania (10 Feb) and Messina (13 Feb) c.d.s., fine and attractive.

1859, 5 gr. brownish red, Plate I, typical close margins, lightly struck by mute horseshoe cancellation, two trivial imperfections at left, but a remarkable and fine-appearing example of this challenging shade. Cert. Bottacchi (2011).