Sporades Islands (Isole Sporadi). 1941 (June 2) 30c Aegean stationery card from Samos to Rhodes, struck on dispatch with "Sporadi" cds, used in violet in an early short period, predating by two weeks the previously earliest recorded date of usage (by Marchese) of this cancellation (Marchese p. RR as used regularly), with the denomination being tied on arrival with "Rodi" cds. The earliest usage known of this key and very rare cancellation, certainly one of the three most important items of the Italian occupation of the Sporades. Signed Sorani and Chiavarello. (Image)

1941 (June 12) Postcard from Samos to Brescia (Italy), bearing "Sporadi" cds and two-line "Franchigia Postale/Truppe occupazione Cicladi" in violet (the "Sporadi" type was struck in this colour on few items known in the early period); an Italian postage due was applied on arrival, despite the free postage, and it was removed as usual when half of the stamp was stuck on a piece of paper covering the left side of the card to protect the missive. A rarity, not only for the violet "Sporadi" usage, but also for the exceptional usage in conjunction of "Sporadi" and "Cicladi" handstamps. (Image)

1941 (July 9) Postcard from Samos to Milan, franked by Aegean 20c tied by "Sporadi" cds (Astolfi p. R), Rhodes P.M. 550 cds and "Verificato per Censura" censor's mark. A very rare usage of this elusive cancellation on Aegean franking. (Image)

1941 (Aug 3) Commercial envelope from Samos to Rhodes, forwarded through military mail with P.M. n° 62 cds located in Vathy (Samos), unfranked on dispatch and taxed on arrival with Aegean postage due 1L for double the deficient franking, P.M. n° 550 cds in Rhodes. It is scarce the usage of the P.M. 62 for civilian correspondence, which was occasionally accepted for Italian con-nationals; in this case, the French heading and the manuscript mention "Francese" denoting French to be the language of the missive for the censor, demonstrates to be this mail, as non Italian, a great exception. Signed Sorani and Chiavarello. (Image)

1941 (Aug 7) Airmail cover from military personnel (27th Art. Reg. "Cuneo") to Milan, redirected inland, correctly franked with Italy "Imperiale" 50c (2) (additional Greek 50L applied as "souvenir"), tied by "Sporadi" cds of Samos (Marchese p. RR), P.M. n° 550 cds of Rhodes in transit and Italian censorship, backstamped on arrival. One of the very few items known carried by airmail with the "Sporadi" cancellation. (Image)

1941 (Aug 7) Cover to Genoa endorsed "Zona sprovvista di bollo" (zone without stamps available), bearing superb "Sporadi" cds struck in Samos (Marchese p. RR), free postage "P.M.550E/Comando Superiore FF.AA.Egeo/Essente da Tassa Autorizzazione Postgen/N.563613-164634.V.3 del 26.4.4.1XIX" framed marking, P.M. 550 cds in transit and Italian censorship; a very rare usage. Cert. marchese (1994). (Image)

1941 (Oct 14) Telegram from Rhodes to the Italian Consulate in Samos, bearing very fine "Ufficio Telegrafico Italiano Samo (Egeo)" cds in blue (erroneously classified with p. 13 by Astolfi in his handbook as it is unique). The only example recorded of this telegraphic cancellation; one of the three -if not the most important- items of the Italian occupation of the Sporades. (Image)

1943 (May 6) "Banco di Roma" cover most infrequently not entering the military mail and carried as regular correspondence from Samos to Rhodes, paying the quintuple rate with "Italy "Imperiale" 50c (5), with Samos cds at left, tied by small "T" circled postmark for taxed correspondence, thus demonstrating that the local authorities did not acknowledge as valid the Italian frankings on civilian mail, and nevertheless not charged on arrival as the authorities in Rhodes considered the franking valid, censorship on reverse. The usage of the tax marking to tie a franking is absolutely exceptional. Signed Sorani. (Image)

1941-43 Balance collection comprising 24 items (and few picture postcards), including the rare "Sporadi" cancellation, civilian mail forwarded through the P.M. 62, military mail with money order and rare telegrams, very rare usage on the first day of occupation in Samos, civil mail from Carlovassi, etc. (Image)