1859 - Unfranked cover from 'CASTIGLIONE DELLE STI

 1859 - Unfranked cover from 'CASTIGLIONE DELLE STIVIERE 26 GIU.' (59) to Vidauban, taxed on arrival with 8 de'cimes due, handstamped, treated as unpaid mail according to the Franco-Austrian postal convention of 1858. The letter was probably sent by a French soldier; indeed, just two days earlier, the Battle of Solferino and San Martino had taken place, where the Austrian army was defeated by Franco-Piedmontese troops. A fascinating and rare postal history item from the Italian Risorgimento. Cert. Manzoni