China » 1925-43 The Italian "Black Battalion" in China. 1930 (Feb 8) Envelope with pre-printed "San Marco" Lion from Tientsin to Rome, sent "fermo posta", franked by 1928 50c tied by "Battag. Italiano in Cina/Tientsin" cds, taxed on arrival with 5c and 20c postage dues. A very rare taxed mail from the "Black battalion". (Image)

1931 (Sept 4) Incoming cover from Audissina (Italy) to the Battalion "San Marco" in Tientsin "via Siberia", franked at concessionary 25 centesimi rate with "Imperiale" 25c, showing part neat "Battaglione Italiano in Cina/Comando" circle receiving handstamp. A very fine and rare incoming mail. (Image)

1934 (Nov 11) Pre-printed envelope displaying on reverse the "San Marco" Lion (the emblem of the "Black Battalion") and "Battagliano Italiano in Cina", sent registered from Tientsin to Genoa, franked by "Imperiale" 5c, 20c and 50c (3), tied by "Battag. Italiano in Cina/Tientsin" cds's, also tying the blank registration label below, Venice and Genoa backstamps. A rare registered mail from the Battalion. Cert. Caffaz (2000). (Image)

1936 (Feb 6) Registered cover (opens well for display) from Tientsin to Rome, showing three rare strikes of "Battaglione Italiano in Cina/Comando" circle handstamps in violet, bearing on front "Imperiale" 5c, 20c and 50c (3), tied by "Battag. Italiano in Cina/Tientsin" cds's, which also ties the blank registration label at top, Venice transit on back. Another rare registered mail from the Battalion. (Image)

1929-37 An interesting group of six items including three rare incoming mails of which two showing the receiving handstamp of the Command of the Battalion, card and cover sent from China with the cds of the battalion and rare double greetings card dated 1932 with the "San Marco" Lion on front and inside and original photo of the Ermanno Carlotto barracks. (Image)

1938 (Nov 24) Illustrated postcard of the "San Marco" Marines Battalion in China, used from Tientsin to Genoa, franked by China 5c and 10c, tied by bilingual cds's on departure. A very scarce postcard used from China. (Image)

1941 (Feb 8) Envelope from Shanghai to Cerva (Italy), franked by "Imperiale" 50c tied by "Battag- Italiano in Cina/Tientsin" cds's in violet, showing on reverse an additional strike of the Italian Battalion in China cds and the extremely rare provisional typewritten "Verificato/Per Censura" label censorship used in China, tied by "3" censor's cachet in violet, with receiving cds at right. No similar items were gathered in the Landini or Faccio collections; we know of the existence of just about five, including one example which was included in the Mizuhara collection, as the latest usage known then (May 1941), described as "the only example known thus far sent during WW2", which sold for CHF1'600 in 1996. (Image)