Registered letter Rome – German Tourist Office to Reichsbahn Central Office Berlin – 1939

Sender: Ufficio Germanico d’Informazioni Turistiche, Rome

Sender's address: Via Vittorio Veneto 91, Rome

Recipient: Reichsbahnzentrale für den Deutschen Reiseverkehr, Berlin C 2

Shipping method: Registered mail / Raccomandata

Place of posting: Rome

Registration label: “ROMA (Succursale 15) – 3163”

Franking: seven Italian 50-centesimi stamps

Total franking: 3.50 lire

Language: Italian / German

Historical registered letter from Rome to the Reichsbahnzentrale für den Deutschen Reiseverkehr (German National Railway Tourist Office) in Berlin. The sender is listed as the “Ufficio Germanico d’Informazioni Turistiche,” the German tourist office in Rome. Particularly attractive is the striking multiple franking consisting of seven purple Italian 50-centesimi stamps featuring the portrait of King Victor Emmanuel III. The stamps have been cancelled multiple times by contemporary Roman dated postmarks.

The original registration label “ROMA (Succursale 15) 3163” and the large Italian marking “RACCOMANDATA” are completely preserved.

The recipient was the Reichsbahnzentrale für den Deutschen Reiseverkehr, Kölnischer Fischmarkt 5–6, Berlin C 2. Consequently, the document interestingly connects the German and Italian transport, tourism, and postal history of that time. The envelope is in an authentic, clearly used condition consistent with regular business mail. There are creases, fold marks, minor edge damage, tears, and age-related discoloration – see photo. However, the franking and the essential postal features are well preserved.

An interesting historical collector's item for collectors of Italian philately, registered mail, the Deutsche Reichsbahn, tourism, German-Italian historical documents, and the postal history of the Second World War.