Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

British Protectorate 1814-1864 1816 (Aug 4): Entire letter from Corfu to Naples endorsed "Servicio Publico" at top, addressed to the Department of Health and Sanitation, struck on obverse by rare usage of french handstamp from the occupation period "CORFÚ" in black with rate "8" (pence) below. The entire heavily disinfected by two vertical slits and heavily toasted and vinegar splashed; reverse with oval seal in blue reading "Magistrato Alla Sanita Di Corfu" with vignette of the mythological ship "Argo" (see K.F. Meyer "Disinfected Mail, page 180) and Naples arrival in red. A rare and remarkable entire with just two examples known of the "CORFÚ" handstamp known in the British early occupation period.
Provenance: Collection "Odyssey", Harmers, London, 6 March 1990, lot 21.