Italian airmail triptych issued in 1933 for the "Crociera del Decennale" (Decennial Air Cruise) led by General Italo Balbo. This specific stamp features the overprint "I-BISE".
Left Section: ITALIA POSTA AEREA / RACCOMANDATA PER ESPRESSO / APPARECCHIO I-BISE
Translation: Italy Air Mail / Registered for Express / Aircraft I-BISE
Center Section: ITALIA / L. 5.25
Translation: Italy / 5.25 Lire (King Victor Emmanuel III)
Right Section: POSTA AEREA ITALIANA / CROCIERA NORD ATLANTICA / LIRE 19.75
Translation: Italian Air Mail / North Atlantic Cruise / 19.75 Lire
This issue commemorates the historic mass formation flight of 24 Savoia-Marchetti S.55X flying boats from Rome to Chicago and back, organized to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Italian Royal Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) and to attend the Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago. The flight was commanded by General Italo Balbo.
The stamps were printed in sheets of 20 triptychs, with each triptych in the sheet bearing a different overprint corresponding to the registration code of one of the aircraft in the squadron. The overprint "I-BISE" on this example identifies the aircraft piloted by Attilio Biseo. The triptych format was functional: the left section paid the registration and express fee, the center section paid the standard letter rate to North America, and the right section paid the special airmail surcharge for the flight.
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