Lot
5218 
(Italy) 1868 (Nov. 8) Cincinnati, Ohio to Rome, Italy, cover bearing 2¢ black, E grill (87) and 12¢ black (69), tied by "Cincinnati O., Nov 8" duplex with four-ring target cancel, red "New York, Paid All, Direct, Nov 10" exchange cds also ties 2¢, red "4" cent credit handstamp, carried by Hapag Line Cimbria from New York Nov. 10th to Hamburg arriving Nov. 23rd, red "Hamburg, Franco, 23/11 68" framed transit, large "P.P." part paid handstamp and ms. "25" centesimi due rating, Rome (11.28) arrival backstamp, F.-V.F.; with 1983 P.F. certificate. Estimate $200 - 300.
The rates for foreign mail sent via the NGU included the base direct rate and closed mail rates plus transit fees. The US credited the NGU with the transit fee portion of the rate, which was 4¢ for Italy. This cover was for prepaid 14¢ direct rate with a 4¢ credit, but was mailed prior to the NGU-Italian Convention effective on April 1, 1869, so it was partially paid with 25 centesimi postage due (about 1¢).
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Realized: $300
Lot
5219
(Italy) 1870 (Jan. 20) Gloucester, Mass. to Genova, Italy, folded letter bearing 1¢ buff (112), 3¢ ultramarine (114) and 15¢ brown & blue, type I (118), bright colors, each cancelled by circle of wedges, matching "Gloucester, Mass. Jan 19" cds, red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit, Jan 22" exchange cds and matching "4" cent credit handstamp, carried by Inman Line City of Brooklyn from New York Jan. 22nd to Liverpool arriving Feb. 2nd, red "Verviers, Coeln, Franco" (2.2) transit, blue crayon "f 1½" sgr credit rating, Italian "P.D." paid direct handstamp, transit and receiving backstamps; 1¢ small flaws, still Very Fine and colorful franking paying the 19¢ rate by North German Union Closed Mail via England; with 1988 P.F. certificate. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY 10 RECORDED 15C TYPE I 1869 ISSUE COVERS TO ITALY.
Realized: $2,500
Lot
5220
(Italy) 1872 (Mar. 18) Lowell, Mass. to Rome, Italy, cover bearing 2¢ red brown (146) and 3¢ green (147) pair and single, each canceled cancel duplexed with "Lowell, Mass., Mar 18" cds, bold red "New York, Paid All, Mar 20" exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Abyssinia from New York Mar. 20th to Queenstown arriving Mar. 30, reverse with Genova (4.5) transit and Rome (4.6) arrival cds; reduced slightly at right; "Roma" doodling, Very Fine use at the 11¢ Closed Mail rate to Italy. Estimate $150 - 200.
The 4¢ transit fee for Italy remained the same for the life of the convention. Later cover often lack red credit markings for the transit fees, probably reflecting a change to implementation of the convention regulations.
Lot
5221
(Italy) 1874 (Mar. 14) Cincinnati, Ohio to Naples, Italy, orange cover bearing 3¢ green (158) and 7¢ orange vermilion (160), tied by blue "Cincinnati, O. Mar. 14" duplex with four-ring target cancel, red "New York, Paid All, Mar 18" exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Frisia from New York Mar. 19th to Hamburg arriving Jun. 2nd, partial red Napoli arrival backstamp; 3¢ slightly affected by edge placement, Very Fine and colorful use at the 10¢ Italian Direct mail rate. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $210