1853 Cover Chambéry (Savoie) to Lausanne, 1851 40c rose (Scott 3; Sassone 3) single with large margins all around tied by rectangle of dots obliterator with «CHAMBÉRY 17 JAN 53» cds alongside, two strikes of red «P.D.», backstamped Lausanne on arrival, Fine and rare; signed A Diena, 2002 Colla certificate (Scott $23,500) (Image 2) (Image)

CV. Starting Price 2,200

1856 3-Color Franking Disinfected Cover Nice to Genova, 1853 5c green, 5c emerald green, 20c milky blue «azzuro latteo» (Sassone 7, 13a, 15c) all tied on folded letter on arrival by »GENOVA 11 APR 56» cds cancels, endorsed «a piroscafi» at upper left, red «DA NIZZA» and «VIA / DI MARE» handstamps, disinfection slits on face panel, slight cover tear lower left well away from stamps, an exceptionally Fine and attractive mixed issue franking with just one similar cover recorded; signed A Diena and Sorani, 1967 A Diena certificate (Image 2) (Image)

CV. Starting Price 7,500

1859 Cover to Pubnah / Bengal / India, 1855/58 10c brown «terra d»ombra» 1st printing plus large-margined 1858 80c ochre-yellow «ocra arancio» (Sassone 14, 17b) on single rate cover endorsed «Overland via Alexandria and Suez» at top and «Via Calcutta» at base, stamps tied by black «NIZZA MARE 11 MAR 59» date stamps with red «P.P.» alongside, backstamped Genova, Malta, Alexandria (British PO April 3), framed «CALCUTTA / STEAMER LETTER» Apr 29 in black and Pubnah arrival on May 2, a rare and attractive cover to a very scarce destination; 2007 Bottacchi certificate (Image 2) (Image)

CV. Starting Price 7,500

Sassone P25, 1930 7.70L Balbo Rome to Rio de Janeiro Flight, Imperforate plate proof, Pos 41-42 / 46-47 lower left corner margin block of four in issued colors on ungummed unwatermarked paper, fresh and Extremely Fine; each value signed A Diena and Bolaffi (Sassone EUR7,400) (Image 2) (Image)

CV. Starting Price 1,500

C27, C27a, 1930 7.70L Balbo Rome to Rio de Janeiro Flight, full mint sheet of 50 with pos 22 the «Seven Stars» variety, «6586» in right margin, fresh color, stamps NH, some small hinge remainders in the top margin, light horizontal fold in center of sheet, Very Fine, a stunning sheet (Scott $48,100 as singles; Sassone Aerea 25, 25a, EUR60,000) (Image)

CV. Starting Price 15,000

ITALY; 1931 Rome to Genoa Flight Cover, franked with 1930 7.70L Balbo Rome to Rio de Janeiro Flight issue plus 1931 50c St Anthony (Scott C27, 261; Sassone 295, Aerea 25), tied by «ROMA CENTRO 27.6.31» cds and «GENOVA CENTRO (POSTA AEREA) 27.6.31.20» arrival cancel, Very Fine; an extremely rare use of the 7.70L Balbo issue on a cover not flown to Rio, this being one of just six covers known; 1981 E Diena certificate (Longhi 2289, unpriced) (Image)

CV. Starting Price 5,000

ITALY; 1933 Balbo Squadron Return Flight to Italy, Franked with US 3c Washington (Scott 720) tied by New York Jul 23 1933 duplex and Italy 5.75L+44.75L tryptich overprinted «I-VERC» (Alessandro Vercelloni; Scott C49) cancelled on arrival by «ROMA VIA VICENZA 12.8.33» cds, envelope with some aging not affecting the stamps, Fine and rare with only 10-15 known; signed A Diena and Colla and with the latter»s 2016 certificate (Longhi 2947, EUR25,000; Sassone GP 60, EUR47,500) (Image)

CV. Starting Price 5,000