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1861, 10 c. dark chocolate brown, four large balanced margins, tied to folded cover to Arezzo by Siena c.d.s. (21 Sep), with c.d.s. arrival backstamp, a fine usage of this difficult shade. Cert. Cardillo (2014).

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1863 (18 March), folded cover to Grasse, France, franked with Sardinia 10c bistre imperforate in combination with two Kingdom of Italy 1863 15c blue Type I singles, one in a distinctly deeper shade, each cancelled by Messina c.d.s., endorsed in manuscript "via Genova”, partial red TPO struck on front, backstamped "Lyon A La Mediterranee / A” (24 Mar) and Grasse (25 Mar), file fold clear of adhesives, a fine mixed franking.

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1862, 10 c. yellow ochre, four mostly large margins, touched at upper left, tied to piece by blue framed "PIROSCAFI / POSTALI / ITALIANI”, with choice strike of "Alessandria D. Egitto” c.d.s. below (19 Aug), stamp with horizontal fold from being partially affixed over top of cover, adhered to additional piece for backing, but two desirable strikes of these scarce markings.

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1862, 20 c. indigo, large to very large margins, tied to folded cover to Camerino by diamond grid cancel, struck alongside with "SIGILLO” straight-line in black, Camerino (21 Dec) c.d.s. arrival backstamp, a scarce usage of this Papal States straight-line, signed Raybaudi.

Get Market Data for [Italy Sassone 15E, Michel 12] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

1863 (11 November), folded cover to Trieste franked with Sardinia 40c scarlet red imperforate in combination with Kingdom of Italy 1863 15c blue Type II, tied by Livorno c.d.s., endorsed in manuscript "Col. Postale Italiano Genova”, black ‘PD' struck on front, backstamped Bologna (15 Nov) and Triest (17 Nov), minor toning in places, else a fine mixed franking.

Get Market Data for [Italy Sassone Sard. 16A, Italy] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

1860, 40 c. carmine, large to very large margins, from position 12 of 50 subjects, cancelled by partial Milano c.d.s., a very fine example from this sought-after position, signed Alberto Diena, Oliva.

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1861, 40 c. rose vermilion, ample to very large margins, showing portion of adjoining stamp at right, from position 12 of 50 subjects, tied to 1862 folded cover to Nice, France by Genova c.d.s. (5 Apr), endorsed in manuscript "par Vapeur 'Roma;”, "Italie / Menton” (6 April) French entry c.d.s. on front,, without backstamps, much fresher than often encountered, signed Enzo Diena, with 2013 Cardillo certificate. 

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1862, 40 c. rose carmine, four good to large margins, showing nearly full outer frameline consistent with position 12 of the pane of 50 subjects, tied to small piece by 1896 dotted numeral of Marseille (Sassone 13 Pts), a very fine example of this scarce plate position combined with an desirable cancellation, multiple pencil signatures on reverse.

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1862, 40 c. rose carmine, four large even margins all around, centrally-struck with clear "Alessandria d Egitto” c.d.s. (20 Mar, 1863) in blue, light mark at lower left corner, not detracting from the tremendous visual appeal of this choice postmark.

Get Market Data for [Italy Sassone 16Eb, Michel 13] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

1858, 80 c. orange bistre, vertical pair, ample to large margins, close at lower right, dual strikes of Genova c.d.s. (25 Aug), fresh colour, a fine multiple, signed Alberto Diena .

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1858, 80c dark orange bistre, large-margin single, tied to piece by Genova c.d.s. (7 Oct, 1859), very fine, signed Alberto Diena.

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1859, 80 c. light olive yellow, four large even margins, neatly-cancelled by Chiavari c.d.s., ight shade, very fine, signed Enzo Diena.

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1861, 80 c. yellow orange, four mostly large margins, superbly-struck Chiavari c.d.s. (23 Apr), bright colour, very fine, signed Alberto Diena, Bolaffi.

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1861, 80 c. yellow orange, four large even margins, cancelled with neatly-struck framed "Piroscafi Postali Francesi” in black, a choice example of this difficult ship marking, very fine. Cert. Sorani (2014).

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1862, 80 c. deep orange, well-centered within four large margins, choice strike of "Alessandria d'Egitto / Poste Italiane” in blue (19 Mar 1863), very fine and most attractive.

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1861, 3 l. "rame vivo”, four large balanced margins, centrally-struck "Chiavari” c.d.s. (22 Nov, 1862), rich colour, a lovely example, very fine. Cert. Sorani (2013).

Get Market Data for [Italy Sassone 18A, Michel 15] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

1861, 1 c. intense black, horizontal pair, ample to large margins, cancelled by "Meina” c.d.s. (10 Sep, 1863, Sassone 10 Pts), a very fine multiple and scarce postmark, very fine. Cert. Cardillo (2014).

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1861, 1 c. grey-black, horizontal strip of three, variety without embossed numeral ("senza cifra", Bolaffi 44B), unused, without gum, large margins all around, assigned proof status in Sassone, striking and very fine. Cert. Dr. Alvi (2007).

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1859, 2 gr. light blue, Plate III, horizontal pair, with 10 gr. dark blue single affixed partially overtop, fair to large margins, all struck with horseshoe cancel, on folded letter to Genova, postmarked Palermo (4 Jul), handstamped "VIA DI / SARZANA”,  reverse with red boxed arrival backstamp, tear to back from removal of seal, horizontal fold, else a fine overland usage, signed Alberto Diena.

Get Market Data for [Italy Sassone 8, 12] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

1859 Ferdinand II collection of over 100 mint and used stamps, neatly arranged by denomination, a solid study of the issue with mostly singles and a few pairs, showing a striking range of shades with collector's annotations attempting plate and shade distinctions, condition slightly mixed with some faults as expected, but overall superior to what is typically found in such holdings, many stamps signed including by Alberto and Enzo Diena, Raybaudi, etc., with a small group of certificates including Bolaffi and Colla, a desirable and fresh collection, mostly fine or better and ideal for expansion.