£85 - £120
SAMPLES OF NO VALUE ENDORSED QV 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO ITALY AT 2s-2d LETTER RATE; 14 Nov. 1866 E (thin paper to reduce postage weight) from London to Genoa endorsed "Samples of No Value" in French but franked for the full (½-1oz) 2s/- rate plus a 2d Late Fee with 6d Lilac (2) + 4d Vermilion (3) + 2d Blue (pl.9; filing crease), all tied by fair to fine London "46 46" twin barred ovals (use on 2d Late Fee mail). Even though there was a GB Sample Post service to Italy from 1864, this letter clearly did not weigh from 16 to 24 oz (for the 2s-0d Samples rate) and had writing inside, while not being left open nor readily openable for inspection, as per Sample Post regulations. So perhaps it was endorsed in this way to avoid import problems in the country of destination? Rare thus. [Illustrated in BPPP, p.492.]Cross Reference: OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, ITALY, LATE FEE/TOO LATE MAIL
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