Italy, Italian States and Colonies Missions, Post Offices and Postal History Abroad China » The Boxer War » Via German Post Office
Sale No: 22JE
Lot No: 20559
Symbol: F
Cat No: 3I
China » The Boxer War » Via German Post Office. 1900 (April) Postcard to Trieste (Austria), franked by overprinted 10pf tied by framed "HANKAU" postmark, "Ligne N/Paq. fr. N° 7" French maritime cds indicating carriage by the "Ern. Simons" and arrival alongside. This item is addressed to Austria, although we can not confirm that it originates from an Austrian; as a reference, the Austrian contingent was the smallest one to intervene in the Boxer War, with only 500 men. A very rare postmark on non philatelically inspired mail, being only used in April 1900. (Image)
Opening EUR 500.00
Sold...EUR 800.00
Closed..Jun-13-2022, 11:59:00 EST
Sold For 800
Sale No: 22JE
Lot No: 20560
Symbol: F
1900 (Oct 11) Italian "Umberto" 10c postal stationery postcard from Peking to Lugo (Italy), exceptionally accepted despite representing an Italian denomination and dispatched at the German P.O. with provisional "PEKING/DEUTSCHE POST" circle postmark made of wood, type I, with partial French Ligne N n. 6 octagonal ds and receiving square cds at left, some faults of no significance for this exceptional item. The sender indicates that "Tomorrow I am leaving with the lieutenant colonel for a war operation against Pao-Ting-Fu; as this will require at least 20 days, I am writing before departing...". The only example recorded of acceptance of any Italian value by the German postal service in China, further enhanced by the very rare usage of the provisional German postmark on non-philatelic mail, probably the most important item of the Italian presence in China during the Boxer War, being enriched by war-events text.
Note: The postal service of the Italian troops in China, which was serviced by the Italian Navy, suffered discontinuity and delivery delays of up to three months, this being a grievance for the troops. On top of this, the winter caused the ships to move into the sea as the Taku Bay was getting frozen. In September, October and November the Italian postal service worked very irregularly, also due to the great mobility of the troops. In order to improve this situation, the Italians requested the Germans to assist them with their postal service. An agreement was found, stipulating that the Italians had to use German stamps and postal documents; this item is the exception to the rule. The German P.O. in Peking was opened on 11.09.1900 (other sources indicate 20.09); as the metallic handstamps had not arrived yet, a local artisan produced a softwood made handstamp which got worn soon, this being replaced by a second type, also made of wood, but of stronger quality. (Image)
