Lot 20514 – 1902 Cover to Italy with 10c 5c pair, tied by large “Comando Battaglione/Marinai”

1902 (Aug) Cover from Peking to Italy franked by 1891-96 10c and 1896-97 5c pair, tied by large “Comando Battaglione/Marinai” circle handstamp with coat of arms in blue from the Marines Battalion Headquarters in Peking, arrival ds alongside; some tone spots not detracting for this unique item. The only usage recorded of this handstamp cancelling a franking; as a cancellation, the most spectacular and rarest of the Italian types used in China; this cachet was only known applied on the mail alongside the franking on front or on back, with Landini only recording two examples.