Smyrna. 1908-09 Two Levant 60c stationery parcel cards to Genoa and La Canea, one uprated with Levant 80pa on 50c (defective), both with arrival on reverse.

1913 (April 23) Pre-printed envelope "R° Ufficio Postale Italiano di Smirne" (on back) sent insured from Smyrna to Naples, franked by 20pa on 10c and 2pi on 50c, each tied by "Poste Italiane/Smirne" cds, backstamped in transit. A rare insured mail. (Image)

1913 (Nov 22) Large registered cash-on-delivery envelope to Aarhus (Denmark), the sender being a member of the Austrian Post, franked on reverse at 1 lira 15 centesimi rate with corner block of ten and marginal block of six with visually impressive imprints, two pairs and one block of three, tied by "Smirne/Ufficio Postale Italiano"; some faults not detracting from this unique and most spectacular usage as a result of the franking, the postal service and the destination. (Image)

1914 (April 7) Registered express cover to Berlin, franked by 20pa on 10c and 30pa on 15c, and express 60pa on 30c, tied by Smyrna cds's on, showing receiving cds on reverse. very scarce. (Image)

1908-18 Group of eight covers/cards bearing seven different frankings with local or general issues, including two stationery cards, registered cover to United States, scarce "Smirne" 2pi on 50c single, etc. (Image)

1922 (Sept) Cover from Smyrna to Stockholm (Sweden), franked by "Leoni" 10c in irregular block of three and 60c, tied by the provisional "R. Poste/Italiane/Smirne" three-line postmark in violet, backstamped on arrival on Oct. 8. A delightful example of this very rare provisional usage. Cert. Colla (1999). Note: On 9.9.22 Smyrna was taken by the troops of Mustafa Kemal and most of the ex-occupants were made prisoners. Four days alter, in the night on the 13th, a fire of great dimension burst and the area around the harbor was destroyed until the fire was extinguished on the 14th, this affecting post offices, including the Italian military P.M. 171. This office was provisionally reopened -which is believed to have been in function on a battleship- and this three-line provisional postmark was produced, which earliest usage recorded is on 26.9; considering the existing correspondence after the fire, probably the Italian P.O. was the first to be reopened in Smyrna. (Image)

1919-23 Selection of 14 items mounted on exhibition pages, including Greek civilian and military mail (3), variety of frankings from the Italian P.M. 171 including some destinations (U.S., India) and one from a the R.N. "Duilio", censorship and registered mail.