Lot No. 354

1943 (12 July) ITALIAN OCCUPATION OF MENTONE (France, Alpes Maritimes) - Cover (opened at three sides) sent from Mentone to Ragusa, Sicily, Italy and RETURNED TO SENDER AFTER ONE YEAR, showing at right manuscript ”ZONA SPROVISTO DI BOLLI ” alongside cds ” MENTONE - ARR. PART.RACC. ZONA OCCUPATA / 12.7.43” (3rd period - only used for 3 months) . The handbook, Occupazione italiana di Mentone by G. Guzzi only records 7 usages of this RARE POSTMARK (fig.43c - broken frame at right). Circular Italian marine censorship marking ”8” with anchor. ”R.R./POSTE/T.S” (indication to the office of arrival, that the simple amount of postage had to be requested.), ”Retour/Service interrompu” and RARE ”RETOUR/A L'ENVOYEUR/2316” OF MENTON. Boxed censor marking ”4248” (not recorded on any Mentone correspondance). On reverse German censorship strip with GEPRÜFT OBERKOMMANDO DER WEHRMACHT d (Munich), unusual in red, further to French cds ”Menton / Alpes Maritimes / 22.6.44” arrival and ms ”Parti sans laissez d 'adresse”. On the 9 July 1943 allied troops invaded Sicily (Operation Husky 9.7.43 - 17.8.43) which put an end to facist rule on the island and thus for a short while interrupting the postal service (Retour/ Service interrompu). VERY RARE USAGE OF MENTON ”RETOUR A L' ENVOYEUR 2316” ON MAIL ORIGINALLY SENT DURING THE ITALIAN OCCUPATION PERIOD.