Lot 2222

1836 (July 23), Rovigo Venetia to Sta. Maddalena, disinfected folded letter, with contents, struck with two-line Rovigo despatch datestamp, opened for fumigation at the Pontelagoscuro quarantine, with choice circular "PONTELAGO / NETTA FUORI / E / DENTRO" disinfection handstamp alongside two red wax seals, one largely intact, with distinctive Papal Arms disinfection seals impressed, these recorded in 1836 only, very fine and scarce.

The devastating 1836 outbreak, part of the Second Global Cholera Pandemic, paralyzed the Italian peninsula and claimed tens of thousands of lives in major hubs like Naples and Sicily. The crisis sparked widespread social unrest and "poisoning" conspiracy theories.