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)

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)

1900 (Nov 20) Registered postcard from Peking to Turin, franked by 45° overprinted 20pf in combination with "Germania" (Rebellion in Pestchili) 5pf vertical pair, tied by "Peking/deutsche Post" cds's. A possibly unique combination of these two issues on a registered postcard, a usage being additionally enriched by originating from an Italian soldier. (Image)

1901 (March 29) Parcel card from from a member of the crew of the "Fieramosca" battleship to Naples via Genoa ("Ueber Genua" instructional marking), franked by 1890-1901 2m, 45% overprint 50pf and 56° overprint 10pf, each tied by "Shanghai/Deutsche Post" cds, repeated at left. One of only two German parcel cards sent by a member of the Italian contingent, also being of great significance the possibly unique triple-issue combination franking at this office. Cert. Holcombe (1987); ex Adriano Landini. (Image)

1901 (March 29) Parcel card from from a member of the crew of the "Fieramosca" battleship to Naples, carried via Genoa with "Ueber Genua" straitgh-line, bearing 1890-1901 2m, 45% overprint 10pf and 50pf, each tied by "Shanghai/Deutsche Post" cds, repeated at left. One of only two German parcel cards sent by a member of the Italian contingent (both offered in this sale and for the first time gathered together in one collection). Cert. Jäschke-Lantelme (2009). (Image)

1901 (May 17) "Petschili" unoverprinted "Germania" 10pf stationery postcard from Peking to Naples, showing on reverse a printed view of the Imperial Palace which was taken by two of the Italian officers (Benvenuti or Piovano) who had this private initiative, cancelled by "Peking/Deutsche Post" cds. One of just about five provisional usages recorded of unoverprinted stationery postcards. (Image)

1901 (Aug 11) Registered cover sent to Rome posted at the German military P.O. n. 8 in Shan-Hai-Kuan, bearing "Germania" 30pf pair "Petschili" provisional tied by "K. D. Feldpoststation/N° 8" cds's, with registration label of the Feldpost station n. 4 from Tongku, displaying on reverse very fine strike of large Italian "COMANDO-DISTACCAMENTO-ITALIANO/SHAN-HAI-KWAN" unit cachet with coat of arms in blue (Astolfi p. 12), which was made up of only about 100 men; some tone spots as usually found and of little significance. The only example recorded of this spectacular Italian handstamp, besides an astonishing combination with the Feldpost n. 8 canceller and the Feldpost n. 4 registration label. (Image)