Lot 20523 – 1900 (April 20) China 1c stationery postcard from Chefoo

1900 (April 20) China 1c stationery postcard from Chefoo to Brixen (Austria), additionally showing China 1898 4c, each cancelled by « Ra. Nave Elba » cds; tone spots, but a very rare usage in this period. In spring 1900, the Boxer Rebellion extended to Peking; in that period, the only Italian presence in China was represented by the « Elba » battleship, and in May a small group of 28 Italians were sent to Peking, together with a contingent of international troops to protect the Legations. One of very few C.I.P. postal stationeries known cancelled by Italian naval mail cds.