CORINPHILA AUCTIONS 297 - 308 Day 3

1865/70: ½ real bright blue on greyish wove paper, a single example in a rich shade used on 1873 cover front to Rome, tied by "3154" gros chiffres in red with "Quito / Franca" datestamp (Aug 2) alongside in same ink. Three line dated PANAMA / TRANSIT in black below (Aug 14) and thence probably carried by French Packet with handstruck "23" décimi due marking applied in black. Taxed at this charge with Italy 1870 Postage Due 30 c. and 2 lire adhesives on arrival (Sept 17). The front re-backed and with faults but extremely rare with just two known usages of Ecuador First Issue mail known to Italy. Cert. Moorhouse (2009).rnrnProvenance: Collection Fiorenzo Longhi. Investphila, 25-27 Sept 2009, lot 1433.