1851, Five proofs, 1 cr. on thick paper, others on thin unwatermarked paper 2 cr. blue, 4 cr. green, 6 cr. grey-blue and 9 cr. brown violet, superb fresh colours

1851, 2 cr. blue on grey, four mostly close but clear margins all around, tied to 1855 letter to Pistoia by black unframed “P.D.” handstamp, postmarked with two strikes of Livorno despatch c.d.s. (25 Aug), reverse with partial c.d.s. arrival backstamp, vertical fold clear of stamp, an difficult single franking, particularly in such quality; signed Alberto Diena.

1851, 2 cr. greenish-blue on grey, ample to large margins, unused, without gum, fresh colour, a superior example to what is often encountered, fine-very fine

1851, 2 cr. greenish-blue on grey, clear to ample margins, tied to 1857 folded letter to Carrara by Seravezza c.d.s., framed “P.D.” struck in black alongside, fresh and attractive, signed Alberto Diena.

1851, 6 cr. slate on grey, horizontal pair, mostly ample to large margins all around, barely touched at lower right, neatly-cancelled by five-bar grid in black, fresh colour, a fine pair, signed Oliva

1851, 6 cr. dark blue on blue, ample to large margins at left and right, touched in places at top and foot, tied to 1853 folded letter to Forli by “Affrancatura” straight-line, Livorno despatch strike alongside (10 May), 14 May straight-line arrival backstamp, a fine single franking.

1851, 9 cr. brown purple on blue, margins clear to ample on three sides, touched at right, part original gum, good colour, fresh and fine, a scarce stamp unused (Sasson € 38.000,-)

1857, 6 cr. azzuro vivo, ample to large margins on all sides, including intergroup spacing at top, tied to folded cover from Firenze to Orvieto by black five-line grid cancel, reverse with c.d.s. arrival backstamp, partially excised from removal of seal, light horizontal filing fold through upper margin of adhesive, else fine, signed Alberto Diena, with 2013 Colla certificate. 

1860, 1 c. violet brown, horizontal pair, mostly clear to large margins, touched at right, affixed to 1860 folded letter to Livorno, cancelled with Firenze c.d.s., free strike at top, reverse with c.d.s. arrival backstamp (21 Sep), filing folds clear of stamps, else a fine and scarce franking, signed Enzo Diena and Raybaudi, with 1981 Raybaudi certificate.

1860, 80 c. carmine, ample to unusually large margins at right and foot, good colour, a challenging stamp in this quality, signed Alberto Diena.

1863 (Oct 29): Announcement sheet with Essays of eight of the nine De La Rue issues, missing only the 2 c. brown, all overprinted “SAGGIO” in black, perforations cropped entirely on all but the 2l which is partially cropped, printed “signature” of Minister L.F. Menabrea, horizontal fold along top clear of stamps, else fresh and very fine.

1863 (January 1), 10c yellow, imperforate, horizontal pair, very large margins all around, tied to small piece by Spoleto c.d.s. (15 Jan), attractive and very fine, signed Enzo Diena.