Auction 186-190

20 c. brown used in combination with 1876 10 c. green and diagonally bisected 10 c. green on 1876 cover to Genova, Italy endorsed at top 'via la Alemania via Inglaterra' and tied by 'Lima-Principal' datestamps (Dec 13) in black. Some ageing on perforations but a remarkable cover carried at 34 centavos rate: the 1876 10 c. bisect not being an authorised usage. Reverse confirming the route with 'Verviers/Coeln' T.P.O. (Jan 13) in black and Genova arrival cds (Jan 15). A rare and delightful franking. Cert. Moorhouse (2013).

Note: The rate via Hamburg to Italy was 29 centavos (Convention of March 1, 1875). This cover travelled via Cologne and should have been charged 34 centavos and is thus correctly franked but 1 centavo overpaid.