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Auction: 26015 - "The Treasure of the Eagles" Collection of Albania - Part I
Lot: 3020

(x) French Albania (1806-1814)
1809 (June). Cover sent from Dobrota to Venice through the port of Kotor (Cattaro), struck with the French “cattaro/in albania” handstamp, when Kotor was under the control of the French military contingent. Charged “40” cents of lira in manuscript for a letter weighing less than ¼ ounce sent to the Napoleonic Italian Kingdom (Adriatic Department with Venice as capital) from a non-neighbouring foreign province (Albania in the French Empire, with Cattaro as capital). Reverse erroneously marked with handwritten “16” cents, as this tariff should have been applied to mail of the same weight sent from Venice abroad, not vice versa. The letter was sent during the fourth tariff period of the postal administration of the French Italian Kingdom (1.5.1809–30.6.1811). About 20 covers are known with this postmark; in addition, this was sent during the earliest days of the fourth period, reflecting the change in postal rates following the entry into force of General Finance Decree No. 46 of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, approved on 27.3.1809.

provenance: Markus Gmähle

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£250