Auction 309-320 - Europe & Overseas - Day 3

1872 (21. Jan.): Le Coq 1 d. blue-green, full to wide margin example as part payment of the postage for a slightly incomplete letter to Italy, using the British route to PANAMA. The letter from LIMA to SORI passes into the British postal system as is evidenced with a stike of the CALLAO  cds (22/1) on the reverse. The end of the British leg of the journey is documented by a single circle PANAMA TRANSIT A dated 30. JAN. The onward transport to Europe took part aboard a French steamer and is evidenced by a French PAQUEBOT cachet (1. Feb.). The letter passed via Paris into Italy where the tax markings were converted to a postage due charge of L1.40 c. These were affixed in 1870 Postage Due stamps and collected. Despite the minor opening imperfection an outstanding letter.