Description

1916 (Dec 30 ) Plain stampless envelope from Bremen to Kapt. Mintbritz, Hotel Italia, Asmara, Eritrea with unframed violet Gepruft / Uberwachungsstelle then via the Italian Red Cross with red framed CENSURA / CORRISPONDENZARE / PRIGIONIER / DI GUERRE alongside R.R. POSTE / CROCE (Cross) / COMMISSIONE / PRIGIONIERI / DI GUERRA & with black on green VERIFICATO / PER / CENSURA reclosing label tied 90% partial black unframed ZONIA ERITREA / CENSURA No 1 & with manuscript 10/3. 17 arrival…. A remarkable item of POW mail from WW1 via the Italian Red Cross. Eritrea was an Italian colony since 1 Jan 1890 but the Italian influence over the territory dates back to 1869