Lot 60615 – 1852 50b blue with 6b greenish grey, one of just two covers from all Italian States, addressed to the Seychelles

1852 50b blue, showing the design complete, barely touching at base, clear to large margins in other respects, together with 6b greenish grey, complete to large margins, both tied by Papal grid cancel on cover (three back flaps missing) from Rome to Mahè (Seychelles), with dispatch cds at right on 3 July 1865, with framed “P.P.” hs and prepaying the double rate up to 15 grams to destination, conveyed by sea to Marseilles and then embarked on board a French packet to Alexandria, carried overland to Suez, where a Ligne Suez-La Reunion French packet completed the last portion of the journey, with illegible octagonal ds of Marseilles denoting maritime carriage through the Indian Ocean; one of just two covers recorded, originating from all Italian States, addressed to the Seychelles (both from the Papal States, bearing the 50 bajocchi and each being unique with involvement of either French or British packets -in this case French-); signed Colla, A. Bolaffi, Sorani, Oliva, R. Diena; cert. Bolaffi (2006).