Plebiscite of Marienwerder. 1920 (March 20) Postcard from Marienwerder to Milan from one member of the Italian contingent to control the plebiscite. As it was the case in Allenstein and Upper Silesia, there was uncertainty on how to handle the first dispatch of mails from these territories, and some delay occurred; following the example of Upper Silesia, the sender initially used a local stamp to frank the correspondence, but the first dispatch in Marienwerder was distinctive by applying additionally the Italian franking, as required for its onward transmission through a civil P.O. in Italy (Verona) and not a military one (in contrast, Allenstein and Upper Silesia used the base military P.O. of Bologna). The sender wrote "a 1/2 (mezzo) corriere militare" (through military courier), applied a marginal first issue 20pf, tied by "Commission Interalliée Gouvernement et Plebiscite/Marienwerder" cachet in violet, and an Italian "Leoni" 15c alongside, and both were tied by "Verona ferrovia" cds on 13.4 when it entered the Italian domestic mail. An extremely rare and exceptional carriage exclusive of the first dispatch from the Italian contingent. (Image)

1920 (March-May) Two postcards to Italy franked by 1st issue 15pf and 20pf tied by Marienwerder cds, showing different Italian two-line handstamps reading "Comando Truppe Interalleate/Marienwerder". Rare. (Image)

1920 (May 5) Registered express cover to Rome, showing "Commission Interalliée/De Gouvernement et de Plebiscite/De Marienwerder/(Prusse)" printed legend on reverse, bearing first issue 50pf (4) and 60pf (2), tied by dispatch cds's. Very scarce. (Image)

1920 (July 10) Registered cover to Italy with inscription "Commission Interalliée/De Gouvernement et de Plebiscite/De Marienwerder/(Prusse)" on back flap, franked by first issue 10pf, 50pf and 1m, each tied by Marienwerder cds, Italian backstamps; some faint wrinkles. Very scarce. Signed Sorani. (Image)