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Desinfected and cholera mail

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All lots Aftersale lots Sold at auction

Lombardy Venetia Pre-philately

Papal States Pre-philately

Romagna Pre-philately

Lombardy Venetia Pre-philately

Papal States Pre-philately

Lombardy Venetia Pre-philately

Lot 2009

60.00 CAD

Sold

1836 (May 16), Crespino to Ferrara, disinfected folded letter, with commercial contents, carried to the postal agency in Polesella, on the

1836 (May 16), Crespino to Ferrara, disinfected folded letter, with commercial contents, carried to the postal agency in Polesella, on the northern bank of the Po, crossed the river-frontier north of Ferrara at Ponte Lagoscuro, where it was quarantined and struck on reverse with circular "PONTELAGO / NETTA FUORI / E / DENTRO", two largely intact Papal Arms wax disinfection seals below, these recorded used only in 1836, further signs of disinfection with vinegar, fine. 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.

Papal States Pre-philately

Lot 2221

60.00 CAD

Live

1831 (September 11), disinfected folded letter from Ancona to Rome, entire letter, with commercial contents, struck on front with ANCONA

1831 (September 11), disinfected folded letter from Ancona to Rome, entire letter, with commercial contents, struck on front with ANCONA straight-line in black, reverse with multiple strikes of framed three-line handstamp "FIUME ESINO SANITA / NETTO / DENTRO E FUORI” (Meyer type A1), wax seal cut to unseal letter, else a well-preserved example displaying this elusive marking, disinfected at the Papal States lazzaretto beside the river Esino,

Romagna Pre-philately

Papal States Pre-philately

Romagna Pre-philately

Lot 2222

80.00 CAD

Sold

1836 (July 23), Rovigo Venetia to Sta. Maddalena, disinfected folded letter, with contents, struck with two-line Rovigo despatch datestamp,

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.

Papal States Pre-philately

Sicily Pre-philately

Papal States Pre-philately

Lot 2223

40.00 CAD

Live

1836 (September 30), official folded letter from the Fiume Esino lazzaretto to the Health Commission at Senigallia, the next qurantine

1836 (September 30), official folded letter from the Fiume Esino lazzaretto to the Health Commission at Senigallia, the next qurantine station along the Adriatic coast, enclosing a manuscript report headed “Rapporto Ordinario – Per l’Apprestamento Sanitario di Fiume Esino,” struck on front and back with oval “DEPUTATO SANITARIO / DI FIUME ESINO” handstamp, typical archival folds and some toning, an elusive example of official correspondence between qurantine stations.

Papal States Pre-philately

Sicily Pre-philately

Lot 2224

60.00 CAD

Sold

1837 (August 29), disinfected folded letter from Pergola to Fano, from the Papal Legation of Urbino, sent to administrative authorities in

1837 (August 29), disinfected folded letter from Pergola to Fano, from the Papal Legation of Urbino, sent to administrative authorities in Fano, postmarked with framed PERGOLA straight-line, slit for disinfection upon arrival and struck with "COMMISSIONE SANITARIA DI FANO / NETTA / DENTRO E FUORI" oval handstamp in black, and white marking introduced only that summer, small stain near top, else a fine early example of this disinfection handstamp, with interesting related contents. The contents pertain to an enquiry as to what compensation had been paid to employees for special efforts made during the outbreak of cholera the previous year, and whether similar payment had been made to vaccinators against smallbox.

Sicily Pre-philately

Lot 2225

50.00 CAD

Live

1837 (June 27), disinfected folded letter from Cagnano to Velletri, Rome, with contents, largely related to family matters following the

1837 (June 27), disinfected folded letter from Cagnano to Velletri, Rome, with contents, largely related to family matters following the death of the writer's brother, dual straight-line backstamps and clear strike of oval "Disinfettata dentro e fuori" handstamp in black, fumigation slits to front, some light paper toning, else a fine disinfected letter.

Sicily Pre-philately

Papal States

Lombardy Venetia

Sicily Pre-philately

Papal States

Lot 2226

100.00 CAD

Live

1837 (September 25), disinfected folded letter written from the Civita Castellana Quarantine Station, addressed to Lord Gifford, Palazzo di

1837 (September 25), disinfected folded letter written from the Civita Castellana Quarantine Station, addressed to Lord Gifford, Palazzo di Russia, Monte Cavallo, Roma, struck with "C. CASTLNA" straight-line, reverse with bold strike of oval "Disinfettata / dentro e fuori" cachet and Rome arrival c.d.s., fresh and very fine, with exceptional content; ex Vandervelde. The enclosed letter, written in English from “Lazzeretto at Casale near Civita Castellana” and dated 25 September 1837, describes the writer’s travels in Italy during this period of the Second Cholera Pandemic, noting that his “experience of the landward journey is decidedly unfavourable.” He states that “the authorities have refused me pen and ink for fear of infection,” obliging him to write with “a very bad lead pencil.” The writer explains that he travels by “bye-roads over the mountains,” while “keeping clear of Macerata and all the great towns,” and refers to stopping at a place described as “half inn – half lazzeretto,” where travellers faced the alternative of sleeping one night in a bare room or remaining “ten days here … in quarantine.”

Papal States

Lot 2227

60.00 CAD

Live

1850s, disinfected folded cover from Ravenna to Bologna, franked on reverse with 1baj vertical pair, margins touched to into

1850s, disinfected folded cover from Ravenna to Bologna, franked on reverse with 1baj vertical pair, margins touched to into design, cancelled with grid lozenge, struck with bold RAVENNA straight-line despatch, ornate Ravenna Papal Keys circular handstamp, a second further strike on reverse, and very fine oval "FAENZA / DISINFETTA / TA", with disinfection slits at front, fine.

Lombardy Venetia

Papal States

Lombardy Venetia

Lot 2228

60.00 CAD

Sold

1851 (October 4), official folded letter from Forli, disinfected in Rimini , with administrative contents, endorsed manuscript

1851 (October 4), official folded letter from Forli, disinfected in Rimini , with administrative contents, endorsed manuscript “Almo Signore,” to Santarcangelo, rated in manuscript, bearing oval Forli "Keys of St. Peter" administrative cachet of the Papal States, "PROVINCIA DI FORLI / dizinfettata / RIMINI" oval handstamp alongside, reverse with crisp Rimini c.d.s. backstamp (5 Oct), fresh and very fine.

Papal States

Lot 2229

40.00 CAD

Live

1854 (December 6), Rome to Forli, disinfected folded letter, with administrative contents, rated "6" in manuscript and postmarked with Rome

1854 (December 6), Rome to Forli, disinfected folded letter, with administrative contents, rated "6" in manuscript and postmarked with Rome despatch c.d.s., struck with fair framed "Forli / Disinfettata" on front, reverse with 9 December straight-line backstamp, fresh and fine-very fine.

Lot 2230

60.00 CAD

Live

1854 (December 30), official folded letter from Ravenna to Brisighella, printed letterhead “Governo Pontificio / Amministrazione Camerale

1854 (December 30), official folded letter from Ravenna to Brisighella, printed letterhead “Governo Pontificio / Amministrazione Camerale di Ravenna, addressed to the “Sig. Priore” at Brisighella, struck on front with bold straight-line RAVENNA handstamp and oval "FAENZA / DISINFETTA / TA" marking, showing diagonal disinfection slits, reverse with slight remnants of red seal and partial crossed keys handstamp, light horizontal folds and minor handling wear consistent, else a fine disinfected Papal States administrative letter.

Lot 2231

60.00 CAD

Sold

1855 (January 20), disinfected folded letter from Senigallia to Fano, struck with double-oval “COMMISSIONE SANITARIA / DI FANO / NETTA /

1855 (January 20), disinfected folded letter from Senigallia to Fano, struck with double-oval “COMMISSIONE SANITARIA / DI FANO / NETTA / DENTRO E FUORI" disinfection handstamp, with Senigallia despatch c.d.s. alongside, reverse with bold straight-line datestamp, disinfection slits passing through front and back, filing fold not detracting from this otherwise fresh and very fine entire.

Papal States

Sardinia

Lot 2232

70.00 CAD

Sold

1855 (March 15), folded cover from Rome to Rimini, disinfected on arrival, franked with single 6 baj. imperforate, three large to very

1855 (March 15), folded cover from Rome to Rimini, disinfected on arrival, franked with single 6 baj. imperforate, three large to very large margins, touched at right, tied by Rome c.d.s., to Rimini, struck with oval "PROVINCIA DE FORLI / disinfettata / RIMINI', with c.d.s. arrival backstamp (17 Mar), filing fold crossing adhesive, else fine.

Lot 2233

60.00 CAD

Sold

1855 (May 15), Urbino to Cagli, disinfected at Fossombrone, folded cover struck on front and back with fine oval "SERV. MILIT. DI FINANZA"

1855 (May 15), Urbino to Cagli, disinfected at Fossombrone, folded cover struck on front and back with fine oval "SERV. MILIT. DI FINANZA" handstamp of the Monte Feltro division of the Military Finance Treasury, based at Urbino, which maintained the Papal States' cordon sanitaire, posted to Cagli, thirteen miles to the south, slit for fumigation en route at Fossombrone, whereupon struck with framed "DISINFETTATA / FOSSOMBRONE" handstamp, the odd trivial tone spot, fine-very fine.

Sardinia

Lombardy Venetia

Sardinia

Lot 2234

60.00 CAD

Live

1855 (Aug. 8), folded letter from Alessandria to Fermo with manuscript disinfection notation, bearing bold two-line "FERMO / S. + L."

1855 (Aug. 8), folded letter from Alessandria to Fermo with manuscript disinfection notation, bearing bold two-line "FERMO / S. + L." handstamp on reverse, manuscript "disinfettata" below, with two diagonal disinfection slits, quite fresh, and a most unusual example of such a manuscript notation. The letter would have traveled from Alessandria in Piedmont to Fermo via the Porta Santa Lucia, where mail was held for inspection during the 1854-5 cholera pandemic.

Lombardy Venetia

Lot 2235

150.00 CAD

Sold

1856 (November 16), disinfected theatrical troupe roster, Rovigo to Forli, folded letter with printed theatrical and

1856 (November 16), disinfected theatrical troupe roster, Rovigo to Forli, folded letter with printed theatrical and accompanying manuscript letter, struck with two-line Rovigo despatch datestamp, reverse with fair strike of “Pontelago / Netta Fuori / e / Dentro” disinfection handstamp, two disinfection slits on front from fumigation, enclosing printed contents titled “Elenco della Drammatica Compagnia diretta e condotta dall’Artista Giuseppe Bosio,” listing members of the touring troupe including Benedetta Bosio, Virginia Bosio, Nicola Minola, Achille Pagliari and others, several names corrected in contemporary manuscript reflecting changes in company personnel, a fine-very fine letter with fascinating contents, which provide a contemporary account of the very epidemic necessitating the letter's disinfection; ex Vandervelde. The manuscript portion of this letter, written at Rovigo on 16 November 1856, petitions local theatre authorities for permission for the writer’s dramatic company to perform, referencing the recent epidemic that had disrupted engagements and travel, including the passage “Ora che la Dio mercé il terribile morbo che ha oppressa l’Italia pare cessato…” (“Now that, thanks be to God, the terrible disease which afflicted Italy appears to have ceased…”), an allusion to the epidemic of 1855–1856 that affected northern Italy; the printed troupe roster was likely enclosed as part of the formal application identifying the actors and staff of the travelling company directed by Giuseppe Bosio, required both for administrative and security reasons, with the political content of theatrical performances of the time kept under close scrutiny by the authorities.