Corinphila Auction 284-290 Day 3

1864/71: 3 d. lilac, a single example and a horizontal strip of three applied just over the edge of a small 1870 envelope from Stafford to Verona, Italy via San Francisco cancelled by two strikes of large "S" in circle handstamp on despatch and by numeral "21" obliterators of Hokitika in transit. Reverse with Hokitika cds (Aug 27), Christchurch cds (Aug 31). 'London / Paid' transit cds in red on front (Oct 25) and oval PD in red and '6d.' credit in manuscript. Milano and Verona cds's of receipt on reverse (Nov 1). Small imperfections including one stamp creased on application but a very rare destination - just two Chalon Head covers are recorded to Italy.rnProvenance: Collection John Woolfe, Spink, Oct 2006, lot 338.