Letter Mail from and to the Old Italian States 1850 - 1870
by Mario Mentaschi & Thomas Mathà
1 - Domestic mail of the Old Italian States 5 frames
2 - Mail exchanged between the Old Italian States:
3 - The evolution of the postal system of the territories annexed,
to the postal system of the Kingdom of Sardinia/Italy. 7 frames
Effects of the war of 1859 against Austria.
Occupation of Marche and Umbria, October 1860
The transfer to France of Savoy and Nice
Occupation of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, May - October 1860
4 - Mail exchanged with the Kingdom of Italy and San Marino
The evolution of postal system of the territories annexed, to the kingdom of Sardinia/Italy postal system
Lombardy
After the Franco-Sardinian victory of Magenta, Austria withdraw from Milan.
The Provisional Government of Lombardy, headed by Onorato Vigliani, started
operating on June 8, 1859. Until July 31, 1859, when many responsibilities
of Vigliani's Government were transferred to Turin, all administrative
and judiciary powers referred to the Provisional Government, including
the responsibility of the postal service. Until July 11, 1859, Lombardy
was occupied by the Franco-Sardinian army. From July 12, as a consequence
of the Villafranca armistice signed the day before, Lombardy was ceded
by the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph to the French Emperor Napoleon III
who transferred it to the King of Sardinia, Vittorio Emanuele II.
The provisional use of the Austrian postage stamps and rates
Until June 30, 1859, the Austrian postage stamps and the Austrian postal
rates were maintained in occupied Lombardy. At the end of June 1859,
the whole Lombardy, with the exception of part of the Mantua province,
was occupied by the Franco-Sardinian army. The use of the Austrian postage
stamps was tolerated until July 3, 1859. Most letters with Austrian postage
stamps were also rated in accordance with Austrian rules.
Introduction of the Sardinian postage stamps and rates
A Vigliani decree introduced the Sardinian postage stamps of the 4th issue
and the Sardinian domestic postal rates for letters mailed to the Kingdom
of Sardinia locations, to Lombardy from July 1, 1859. By the end of July,
these rates were also extended to letters mailed to the other Provisional
Governments except Romagne. Italian rates were maintained for letters
addressed to Romagne. Until December 31, 1859, the currency circulating
in Lombardy was the Austrian soldo as confirmed by the postage due indications.
The postal exchange rate was: 1 Austrian soldo = 2.5 Italian centesimi;
therefore, the single Sardinian rate of 20 centesimi corresponded to
8 soldi.
The Mantua Oltrepò
Before the end of June, the Austrians left the part of the Mantua province
located beyond the Po. Probably after July 15, the Sardinian postage
stamps were distributed to the six postal offices in the Oltrepò:
Gonzaga, Moglia di Gonzaga, Revere, Sermide, Suzzara and S. Benedetto.
The Sardinian rates were presumably applied from July 1, 1859.
Fig. 13 October 25, 1859, single-rate letter from Revere to Canneto, then readdressed to Gonzaga. In agreement with the Sardinian rules, no charge was made for readdressed mail.
The boundaries defined by the Villafranca armistice had assigned the Oltrepò to Austria on July 11, 1859. The Zurich peace on November 10 confirmed the assignment to Austria of Oltrepò. Austrians returned to the Oltrepò on December 9, 1859. Presumably, the Austrian postage stamps were not immediately distributed to the Oltrepò offices, and the use of postage stamps in December 1859 is, until now, unknown.
The Toscolano and Gargnano post offices
On June 20, 1859, the Sardinian army arrived in the area facing the Lake
Garda, where the post offices of Gargnano and Toscolano operated. It
is not known when the Sardinian army left the area that was provisionally
assigned to Austria by the Villafranca armistice. Austria kept some troops
there until October 25, when the territory was finally assigned to the
Sardinian Kingdom.
The examination of the letters, either posted or received by the Gargnano and Toscolano postal offices during this period allows the conclusion that during the Austrian occupation of the territory, the two offices operated under Sardinian control.
Modena
The "Oltreappennino" of Modena
In April 1859, the Sardinian army, arriving from the La Spezia province,
occupied the territories of the Modena Duchy beyond the Apennines, the "Oltreappennino" of
Modena, where the post offices of Massa, Carrara, Fivizzano, Aulla, Castelnuovo
di Garfagnana, Camporgiano, Gallicano and Fosdinovo were located. From
this occupation until June 17, 1859, when "Oltreappennino" was placed under
the authority of Carlo Farini, Governor of the provinces of Modena, the
events of this area differ from the events of the remaining Duchy called "Cisappennino" of
Modena. The postal events also developed differently in these two areas.
Although the Royal Sardinian decree of May 28, 1859, effective June 10,
1859, introduced the Sardinian postage stamps and rates, the Ducal rates
were maintained until June 13. The Sardinian stamps were distributed after
June 15, but before that date the use of Ducal postage stamps was accepted.
Fig. 14 June 13, 1859, single-rate letter from Fivizzano to Florence, Austro-Italian rate of 25 centesimi. Last recorded date of the Austro-Italian rate in the "Oltreappennino".
Introduction of the 4th Sardinian issue
Presumably from June 15, 1859, the Sardinian postage stamps of the 4th
issue were distributed to the post offices of the "Oltreappennino" of
Modena. The first recorded date for the Sardinian stamps is June 20,
1859. After the formation of the Provisional Government in Modena, from
June 17, 1859, the territories of the "Oltreappennino" were put under
the authority of the Governor Carlo Farini. From October 15, 1859, the
postage stamps of the Provisional Government issue were distributed,
terminating the use of the Sardinian stamps. The last recorded date of
use of the Sardinian stamps is October 15, 1859, which is also the first
recorded date of use of the stamps of the provisional issue in the "Oltreappennino".
The "Cisappennino" of Modena
On June 11, 1859, Duke Francesco II left the Duchy; on June 13 a Government
was formed in Modena which appointed Carlo Farini as Governor on June
15. The authority of the Provisional Government, initially limited to
the territories of the "Cisappennino", was extended on June 17 to the
territories of the "Oltreappennino". On December 8, 1859, the Government
of the provinces of Modena, Parma and Romagne, headed by the Governor
Carlo Farini, was installed in Modena. A Farini decree, dated January,
1, 1860, gave the name of "Regie province dell'Emilia" to the united
provinces.
Tolerance of the ducal postage stamps and rates
Until July 31, 1859, the ducal postage stamps and rates were tolerated.
From August 1st, 1859, the Sardinian rates were introduced for domestic
mail within the former Duchy, including the "Oltreappennino," for mail
to the old Sardinian provinces, and to Lombardy. The Sardinian registration
fee of 40 centesimi replaced the Ducal registry fee of 25 centesimi.
Until October 10, 1859, the Austro-Italian rates were applied to letters
addressed to Tuscany and to Romagne. On October 10, 1859, a Farini decree
introduced the Sardinian rates also for letters addressed to Tuscany
and Romagne. It appears that the Sardinian rates were introduced earlier
for letters addressed to Tuscany.
Issue of the postage stamps of the Provisional Government
From October 15, 1859, the postage stamps of the Provisional Government
were issued in all territories of the former Duchy. At the same time
the use of the Sardinian postage stamps ceased in the "Oltreappennino" and
that of the Ducal postage stamps ceased in the "Cisappennino." Until
February 1, 1860, when the Sardinian postage stamps were distributed,
the postage stamps of the Provisional issue were the only postage stamps
in use.
Fig. 15 December 28, 1859, single-rate letter from Guastalla to Bologna.
A postal convention dated November 1, 1859, confirmed the introduction of the Sardinian rates to the mail exchanged between the postal Administrations of Sardinia, Tuscany, Modena, Parma and Romagne. It was also established that the registration fee could not exceed 40 centesimi.
A Farini decree, introduced the Sardinian-Italian rates in the former Duchy on November 1, 1860. The registration fee was fixed at 25 centesimi. A reduced rate of 10 centesimi was introduced for letters exchanged between locations within a distance of 20 km.
Introduction of the 4th Sardinian issue
On February 1, 1860, the postage stamps of the 4th Sardinian issue were
distributed within the former Duchy territory; the stamps of the provisional
issue were tolerated until the end of February. In the Oltreappennino,
due to the late distribution of the Sardinian stamps, the provisional
issue was tolerated during the month of March also. A Farini decree dated
February 1, 1860, confirmed the rates already introduced on November
1, 1859.
Parma
On June 9, 1859, Maria Luisa, the Duchess-Regent of Parma, left the Duchy
and a provisional government committee was established. On August 18
Carlo Farini, already Dictator of Modena, was nominated Dictator of the
former Parma Duchy. On December 8, 1859, Farini was nominated Governor
of the provinces of Modena and Parma, and of Romagne. A Farini decree
dated January 1, 1860, gave the name of "Regie province dell'Emilia" to
the united provinces.
Tolerance of the ducal postage stamps and rates
Until July 15, 1859, the ducal postage stamps and rates were tolerated.
From July 15, 1859, the Sardinian rates were introduced for domestic
mail and for mail to the old Sardinian provinces and to Lombardy. The
Sardinian registration fee of 40 centesimi replaced the Ducal registration
fee of 25 centesimi.
Introduction of the 4th Sardinian issue
From August 1, 1859, the postage stamps of the 4th Sardinian issue were
distributed to replace the ducal postage stamps.
Issue of the postage stamps of the Provisional Government
From August 27, 1859, the postage stamps of the provisional issue were
distributed within the territory of the former Duchy. Due to the simultaneous
use of the 4th Sardinian issue, which never ceased, and due to the limited
period of use and to the limited postal traffic, the postage stamps of
the provisional issue on postal documents are scarce or very rare, except
for the 20 centesimi postage stamp, which is not common.
Fig. 16 November 7, 1859, single-rate letter from Borgotaro to Parma. Only 9 letters with a strip of four stamps recorded.
Until January 6, 1860, letters addressed to the Papal States, rated 40 centesimi for each 10 grams of weight (Sardinian weight progression), and were considered paid to destination. After that date, as a result of instructions given to the Papal post offices by the prince Massimo, General Manager of the Papal postal Administration, the inland Papal postage due was charged to incoming mail. A Farini decree extended, from October 10, 1859, the Sardinian rates to mail addressed to Tuscany and to Romagne.
The tolerance of the provisional issue
The use of the stamps of the provisional issue was tolerated during February.
The use of the Sardinian stamp during February was more significant while
the use of the stamps of the provisional issue was limited.
Romagne
In June 1859 the Romagne towns drove away the Papal representative and
the Papal troops. The Papal troops left Bologna on June 12. Rimini was
the last town to be abandoned, on June 22, 1859. Initially, in each town
a government commission was established. By the end of June all government
responsibilities were transferred to the Bologna commission. On July
15, 1859, the Royal commissioner Massimo D'Azeglio formed a Government
that, when he resigned, was headed by Leonetto Cipriani. On November
6, 1859, Carlo Farini was chosen as Governor and on December 8, the Government
of the unified provinces of Modena, Parma and Romagne was formed. From
January, 1, 1860, the unified Provinces were named "Regie Province dell'Emilia".
Tolerance of the Papal postage stamps and rates
When the Papal troops left Romagne, in each town began a period of tolerance
of the Papal postage stamps that lasted until August 31, 1859. Due to
the limited stock of stamps available and due to the impossibility of
receiving new Papal postage stamps, they were often bisected to better
exploit the available supply. Letters franked with Papal stamps sent
to locations still under Papal control arrived at destination free of
charges.
Issue of the postage stamps of the Provisional Government
From September 1, 1859, the issue of the Provisional Government was distributed
in Romagne. Within Romagne the Papal domestic rates were maintained,
which for each 12 denari of weight (14.2 grams) were as follows: 1 bajocco
for letters mailed within the postal district; 2 bajocchi for letters
mailed to a contiguous district; 3 bajocchi for letters mailed to a non-contiguous
district.
The Papal postal directions became the postal districts. It was possible to send registered letters ("insured" according to the old terminology) by increasing the letter rate by 50%.
Until January 31, 1860, unpaid letters mailed within the postal district were charged on arrival, whereby postage stamps were applied to the reverse of covers, and used as postage-due stamps in accordance with the Papal rules. The postage stamps of the Provisional Government issue were permitted to be bisected by the Papal rules. Until October 10, 1859, the Austro-Italian rates and weight progression were maintained for letters mailed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and to the other liberated Provinces.
Introduction of the Sardinian rates
From October 10, 1859, the Sardinian rates, in bajocchi currency, were
introduced for mail addressed to the provinces of Modena and Parma, to
old Sardinian provinces, to Lombardy, and to Tuscany. The registration
fee was not to exceed 40 centesimi. From November 1, 1859, the registration
fee of letters addressed beyond Romagne was set at 25 centesimi, and
the postage stamps were applied on the reverse of letters in accordance
with the Austro-Italian rules.
Fig. 17 December 24, 1859, double-rate registered letter from Bologna to Modena. The Sardinian double rate of 40 centesimi, corresponding to 8 bajocchi, was increased by the registration fee of 25 centesimi corresponding to 5 bajocchi. The only recorded three-colour franking with the 8 bajocchi.
Introduction of the 4th Sardinian issue
The Sardinian stamps of the 4th issue were distributed in Romagne from
February 1, 1860, as in the other provinces of Emilia. The use of the
Romagne issue was tolerated during February 1860 and in a few locations
in March, due to the lack of an adequate distribution of the Sardinian
stamps. From February 1, 1860, Farini's Sardinian-Italian rates were
introduced in Romagne also. The new rates replaced the Papal domestic
rates within Romagne. The use of Papal stamps as postage-due stamps for
unpaid letters addressed within the postal district also ended. On March
18, 1860, the Emilian Provinces were annexed to the Sardinian Kingdom.
Tuscany
In the late afternoon of April 27, 1859, the Grand Duke Leopold II decided
to leave Tuscany. A Provisional Government was immediately formed. Until
August 1, 1859, the Provisional Government was headed by the by the Sardinian
commissioner Carlo Boncompagni di Mombello. When he resigned, the Provisional
Government was headed until March 22, 1860, by Bettino Ricasoli. From
March 23, 1860, the responsibilities of the Provisional Government were
transferred to Eugenio di Savoia Carignano, the deputy of the Sardinian
King Vittorio Emanuele II. From March 1, 1861, the Direction of the Florence
department replaced the previous General Direction of the Tuscany post.
Tolerance of the Ducal postage stamps and rates
During the period from April 28 to December 31, 1859, the use of the Ducal
postage stamps was tolerated. The Ducal domestic rates within Tuscany
were maintained until December 31, 1859. On June 16, 1859, the Sardinian
rate of 3 crazie for each 12 denari of weight on letters addressed to
Lombardy and to the old Sardinian provinces was introduced. The rate
of letters carried from Leghorn to Genoa by sea was defined at 4 crazie.
With the same weight progression the single rate for unpaid letters was
set at 6 crazie. A postal convention between Sardinia, Tuscany, Modena,
Parma and Romagne extended from November 1, 1859, the Sardinian rates
to mail exchanged between these postal administrations.
The postage stamps of the provisional issue and the Sardinian-Italian
rates
From January 1, 1860, the postage stamps of the provisional government
were distributed. They were printed on the paper with the watermark of
the second Tuscan issue, and they carried the indication "francobollo toscano" and
the Savoy coat of arm. On January 1st, 1860, new rates were introduced
with the Sardinian weight progression. These rates lasted until December
31, 1862.
Until September 30, 1861, it was possible to mail letters paid to destination in the Papal States, with the Sardinian progression of weight, on the basis of the Austro-Italian rates translated into centesimi. The 15 centesimi and 30 centesimi rates are scarce and they can be found until October 1860, before the Sardinian occupation of Marche and Umbria.
Introduction of the 4th Sardinian issue
From January 1, 1861, the postage stamps of the Sardinian 4th issue were
distributed in Tuscany, and they were used together with the postage
stamps of the provisional issue, which never became obsolete.
Fig. 18 October 13, 1860, single-rate letter from Orvieto to Pieve di Cento, paid to destination with the Sardinian rate of 20 centesimi. Only five letters are recorded with a single 20 centesimi.
The "Cacciatori del Tevere"
During the Sardinian campaign which resulted in the occupation of the Papal
Marche and Umbria, a group of volunteers headed by colonel Masi left
Tuscany on September 8, 1860, to occupy Orvieto and Viterbo. The threat
of a French intervention forced the volunteers, called "Cacciatori del
Tevere," to leave Latium with the exception of Orvieto, where on October
20, 1860, the volunteer corps was dissolved. The "Cacciatori del Tevere" carried
postage stamps of the Tuscan provisional issue which were used in some
offices of Latium during the occupation.
Occupation of Marche and Umbria
On September 1860, the Sardinian army, with the agreement of Napoleon III,
occupied the Papal provinces of Marche and Umbria. In September 1860
a Provisional Government was established in Ancona, which ceased its
activity when Marche was annexed to the Sardinian Kingdom on December
17, 1860. The Sardinian postage stamps, distributed from 1st October,
were officially introduced on October 15, 1860. On this day the Sardinian
rates were introduced, although Papal rates can also be found after that
date. The Provisional Government of Umbria was formed in Perugia on September
16, 1860, to last until December 17, 1860, when Umbria was annexed to
the Sardinian Kingdom. Sardinian stamps were introduced on October 1st,
and the Sardinian rates on October 5, 1860
The transfer to France of Savoy and Nice
A clause of the 1858 Plombières Franco-Sardinian agreement indicated
that Vittorio Emanuele II was obliged to transfer to the French Emperor
Napoleon III Savoy and Nice as compensation for the participation to the
war against Austria. The transfer, secretly agreed to between Vittorio
Emanuele II and Napoleon III on March 14, 1860, was made official on March
30, 1860. To become effective, the transfer had to be confirmed by a popular
vote and approved by the Sardinian parliament. The positive result of the
popular vote and the parliament approval made final the transfer which
took place on June 14, 1860. From the date of the transfer, the use of
the Sardinian postage stamps ceased and was replaced by the French postage
stamps with the effigy of the Emperor. The Sardinian postal rules were
also replaced by the French law. Initially the French postage stamps were
cancelled with obliterators of Sardinian making.
Occupation of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
Garibaldi in Sicily
On May 14, 1860, Garibaldi became self-proclaimed Dictator of Sicily in
the name of Vittorio Emanuele II. After the Calatafimi defeat and the
loss of Palermo, the Bourbon army withdrew to the surroundings of Messina.
After the Milazzo defeat of July 20, the Bourbon army took refuge in
Messina, and then surrendered on July 27, 1860. In the liberated locations,
the use of the Bourbon postage stamps ceased immediately. In the months
of June and July 1860 postage stamps were used in the locations still
under Bourbon control. Many letters were sent by the French packets calling
at Messina during this period. The last recorded letters franked with
the Bourbon postage stamps were dated July 23, 1860, when they were put
aboard the French packet Capitole on its last trip from Messina still
under Bourbon control. After that date and until May 1, 1861, when the
4th Sardinian issue was distributed in Sicily, postage was paid in cash.
Fig. 19 May 31, 1861, single-rate letter from Catania to Genoa. It was rated to be carried by the French packet from Messina to Genoa; therefore, the Bourbon rate of 25 grana corresponding to 106 centesimi was prepaid.
The rates of the Sicilian provinces
On May 1, 1861, after almost one year of postage being paid in cash, the
4th Sardinian issue was distributed in Sicily. In the month of May the
Bourbon currency was still in circulation and a few rates, like the rates
to the foreign countries with the French mediation, were expressed and
paid in grana to be translated by the postal officer in Italian lire
at the rate of 1 grano = 4.25 centesimi. May 31, 1861, is the last date
for the circulation of the Bourbon currency. After that date the Italian
lira was officially introduced and the bourbon currency was tolerated
for a few more months. From May 1st, the date of the distribution of
the postage stamps, until December 31, 1862, special rates for the Sicilian
provinces which differed from the Sardinian rates for letters mailed
within Sicily, were in effect.
The events of Continental Domain
Garibaldi's dictatorship and lieutenancy
On August 19, 1860, Garibaldi's volunteers landed in Calabria. After the
liberation of Naples, on September 7, 1860, Garibaldi became Dictator
of the continental domain in name of Vittorio Emanuele II. As a result
of the plebiscite, on October 28, Garibaldi resigned with effect from
November 8, 1860. From November 9, until December 16, 1860, Carlo Farini
was lieutenant. On December 17, the Southern Provinces were annexed to
the Kingdom of Sardinia. Until March 17, 1861, date of the proclamation
of the Kingdom of Italy, the prince Eugenio Savoia di Carignano, with
the assistance of Costantino Nigra, was nominated lieutenant in the name
of Vittorio Emanuele II. It is worth while noting that the lieutenancy
of the Neapolitan Provinces lasted until October 31, 1861, although with
reduced powers.
Garibaldi's dictatorship
During the Dictatorship's period the Neapolitan postage stamps were tolerated.
From October 2, 1860, the Sardinian rates were introduced for mail sent
beyond the former Continental Domain, including Sicily, and the Bourbon
rates were maintained for mail exchanged within the former Continental
Domain. The Sardinian rate of 20 centesimi was converted into 5 grana.
A notification of the General Manager Bellelli of "Poste, Ferrovie and
Procacci" published in L'Omnibus dated November 8, 1860, reduced the
printed-matter rate to ½ tornese for each newspaper or for each
20 grams of weight. Postage of printed matter had to be prepaid.
Fig. 20 November 8, 1860, last day of Garibaldi's dictatorship. The newspaper L'Omnibus franked with the new rate of ½ tornese. On the newspaper the notification of the new printed-matter rate and of the issue of the new postage stamp denominated ½ tornese.
The Lieutenancy
On December 6, 1860, the new postage stamp denominated ½ tornese
and carrying the Savoy cross to replace the old Bourbon symbols was distributed.
A Farini decree introduced the Sardinian-Italian postal rules from March
1, 1861. In article No. 2, the decree indicated that the single rate for
prepaid letters within the Neapolitan Provinces was 2 grana, whereas the
single rate for unpaid letters was 3 grana. But for the exception mentioned
in the decree, all other rules of the Sardinian postal law were introduced;
therefore, the registration fee was 10 grana corresponding to 40 centesimi;
the Sardinian progression of 10 grams to 50 grams of weight and of 50 grams
afterward was also introduced. On February 14, 1861, new postage stamps
with the effigy of Vittorio Emanuele II, now denominated in grana, were
introduced. The Bourbon postage stamps were tolerated during the Lieutenancy
period and even afterwards. Combination covers bearing Bourbon and Sardinian
postage stamps during the Lieutenancy period are scarce.
The rates of the Neapolitan Provinces
Until October 1, 1862, the date of the distribution of the 4th Sardinian
issue denominated in Italian lire, the issue of the Neapolitan Provinces
was in use. The special rates of mail exchanged within the Neapolitan
Provinces remained in use until December 31, 1862. The registration fee
within the Neapolitan Provinces was 10 grana corresponding to 40 centesimi.
The rates of mail addressed to the other Provinces of the Kingdom
of Italy
From the Dictatorship period, Sardinian rates were in effect for mail addressed
beyond the Neapolitan provinces, including Sicily.
Distribution of the postage stamps denominated in centesimi
From October 1, 1862, the Sardinian stamps denominated in centesimi were
introduced in the Neapolitan Provinces.
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