Auction 333-341 Europe & Overseas - Day 6

Italian Military Post Office in Smirna 1922 (Oct 4): Cover from Italian Military P.O. in Smirna to Galata, Constantinople franked by Italy 40 c. brown vertical pair (single rate of Jan 1, 1922) tied by rare usage of three line "R, POSTE / ITALIANE / -SMIRNE-" handstamp in violet with additional information strike at above right and a further impression on reverse alongside Italian P.O. in Constantinople arrival cds (Oct 4). An exceptional and rare cover with this marking.
Provenance: Collection "Cihangir" (Herry Schaefer), Corinphila sale, Nov 2000, lot 3192.
Note: After the Italian Military P.O. was burnt down in the fires of 14th September 1922 which engulfed the Armenian and Greek areas of Smirna, the previous cancellations were lost to the flames. The Office re-opened on 26th September using this cancellation as an emergency measure.