FRANCE 1919 'MILITARY COMMAND - STAZIONE DI COMPIEGNE' ON POSTCARD TO CATANIA
1919 (January 13), Picture Postcard depicting the bridge of barges at Compiègne (*La Grande Guerre 1914-18 - Le Pont de Péniches à Compiègne*), sent from Compiègne, France to Catania, Sicily. Bearing a striking violet two-line official cachet "COMANDO MILITARE ITALIANO / STAZIONE DI COMPIÈGNE" on the face, tied with a French "POSTES AUX ARMÉES" circular datestamp on the reverse. Addressed to *Signora Natalina Ventura* at Piazza Cavour 11 in Catania. Manuscript message datelined Compiègne, Jan. 13, 1919.
This post-war pictorial postcard documents the presence of the Italian Military Command station at Compiègne during the immediate aftermath of the First World War. The card captures the logistical coordination and administrative presence maintained by Italian military authorities on French soil following the armistice. The combination of a rare Italian Military Command violet cachet from Compiègne and a long-distance connection to Sicily makes this an exceptional military postal history item.
Technical & Social Commentary
- Technical Analysis: Features the prominent violet two-line command cachet of the Italian Military Station at Compiègne, accompanied by French field post cancellations and manuscript messaging.
- Geopolitical Context: Highlights the post-armistice deployment and administrative oversight of Italian military personnel operating within Allied occupation and command zones in France.
- Logistical Narrative: Handled through French military postal channels (*Postes aux Armées*) before entering the international civil mail stream for delivery to Catania.
- Social/Mercantile Insights: Preserves personal correspondence reflecting the experiences of Italian soldiers stationed in France during the demobilization period.
Please examine lot scan carefully and please send any questions at least 48 hours before the auction closes. Please note that cover condition usually includes normal wear and tear to cover edges, opening tears and some creases and wrinkles. Only exceptional or extreme condition issues will be mentioned.
Legend:
PS - Postal Stationery
FL - Folded Letter
SFL - Stampless Folded Letter
RPO - Railway Post Office
CDS - Circular Date Stamp
DPO - Dead Post Office
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