Auction #35

Italy Somalia colony, CENSORED Registered eight rate surface mail sent on 4/4/1935 from Mogadiscio to Alexandria Egypt, via Massaua (21/4/35) and Port Taufiq (25/AP/35). High franked for 8 Lira using pair of Italian Somalia stamps 50ct violet perf. 12, 2L carmine perf 12 and 5L carmine also perf 12 (Sassone n 175, 179 and 181). Open and CENSURED using orange-salmon label inscribed "VERIFICATO PER CENSURA - GOVERNO DELLA SOMALIA [ITALIANA] Ufficio Censura" and small dc seal in violet "GOVERNO DELLA SOMALIA Ufficio Censura". The cover sent after the skirmish of Ual Ual which led to the Italian attack on Ethiopia in early October 1935. VERY IMPORTANT PIECE THAT SHOWS ITALIAN PREPARATION FOR ETHIOPIAN WAR BY CONTROLLING MAIL SENT ABROAD AND SPECIFICALLY TO A COUNTRY UNDER BRITISH INFLUENCE.