Lot 20516 – 1902 The only item recorded with the “DISTACCAMENTO/FORTE.NW.TAKU” double circle

1902 (Sept 21) Photographic postcard depicting the Italian Fortress in Taku printed in China, sent from Taku to Genoa, matching the image on reverse with “DISTACCAMENTO/FORTE.NW.TAKU” double circle in red with crown in centre, where less than 100 Italian men were located. The only example known of this handstamp and a most infrequent case of postage free mail from the Italian forces in China (no examples recorded in the Landini, Faccio and Mizuhara collections).