KINGDOM OF SICILY: 1859 outer with 1gr deep olive & 5gr deep rose-carmine Sassone Spec 5b & 9d both with almost full margins tied by very fine strikes of Sicily's famous & idiosyncratic "archway" cancels leaving the king's face untouched, 'CALTAGIRONE'-in-oval h/s at U/R & similar 'ASSICURATA' h/s (= registered letter) below, very fine 'PALERMO/18/LUG/59/ARRIVO' cds (Luglio = July) also on the face, extensive docketing on the flaps still a very fine classic cover. Enzo Diena (1983) and Paolo Cardillo/SPC (2014) Certificates. [Caltagirone is a central town on Sicily, some 140km SE of Palermo, famed for its pottery & majolica-ware. In May 1860 it was looted by the King's army who were fleeing Garibaldi's forces]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$9,000