Corinphila Auction 291-297 Day 3

1851 (June 21): Cover from Portolongone to Cahuzac-sur-Vère, Tarn, bearing 1851 2 cr. 'azzuro grigio su azzuro' and 6 cr. indacu su azzuro', two fine and fresh examples with good to huge margins all round, tied by light PORTOLONGONE despatch cds (Sassone LI = 11 punti) in black, "T.S.1" and "VIA DI SARZANA" postal treaty handstamps in black as well as French "SARD. 26 JUIN 51 BRIANCON" entry cds in red alongside. Reverse with Alès, Albi, Toulouse, Gaillac transit cds's as well as Castelnau-de-Montmiral cursive two-line arrival handstamp. Upon arrival taxed with '11' décimes in manuscript. Horizontal filing fold well away from the adhesives, not distracting from this exceptional item sent via Sardinia prior to the first French-Tuscan postal treaty. Cert. Colla (2021) Sassone = € 2'900 + 3250.rnNote: Prior to the first postal treaty in October 1851, first rate letters to France could be prepaid with 15 crazie. The present franking was therefore insufficient and the letter was regarded as unpaid and fully taxed with 11 décimes.