Italy was one of the first countries to issue official seals. The majority of them are of a circular frame design with an empty center for application of a postmark. 15 different types are recorded to date. The 19th century seals are rather difficult to find on cover.
Catalog: Drummond OS1
Date issued: Unknown, EKU September 29, 1864
Printing: Black
Perforation: Imperforate
Inscription: "REGIE POSTE ITALIANE" within circular frame
Control Number: None
Description: 1864 cover from Gravesend, England to Naples, Italy with tear on reverse repaired using upper half of earliest type Italian official seal.
This is the oldest official seal known and may be unique.
Courtesy of Jim Kotanchik by permission.
Catalog: Drummond OS2
Date issued: Unknown, EKU September 9, 1871
Printing: Black
Perforation: Imperforate
Inscription: "AMMINISTRAZIONE DELLE REGIE POSTE" within circular frame
Control Number: None
Description: August 1871 cover from Caernarvon, Wales addressed to a Reverend C.B. Hutchinson at a hotel in Zurich, Switzerland. Two-line "BRITISH FOREIGN" handstamp at top left applied at London branch. The letter was forwarded to Vierge, Italy, where two Italian postage dues were added; then to Sierce, Italy, and finally to Venice, Italy, where the dues were cancelled ("Annullata") and the Italian official seal was affixed. The seal is tied by a black boxed "VENEZIA ARRIVA 15 SET 71" cancel.
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- Buying, Selling, & Trading Officially Sealed Mails of the World - |
by T. Hirn
E-mail:thirn@poseal.com
Updated December 9, 2007