NAPLES, THE ROYAL COURIER [MICHEROUX (Cavaliere D. Antonio, 1755-1805, Neapolitan Soldier and Diplomat)]

Printed Route Schedule, from  Naples to Messina  in Sicily and back, of the Neapolitan Royal Courier Service, with the times allowed between the 30 staging points, (2 or 2½ hours), and spaces for the times of arrival and departure to be inserted and signed by the postmaster, made out for royal courier D. Gaetano Toscano for Cosenza - Messina and back to Naples, filled in at the beginnings and ends of the two journeys, with an entry at Cosenza on the outward journey where the postmaster also loaded "the sack from Catanzaro" and explains why it left 4 hours after arriving, neatly printed on stout paper with the elaborate woodcut Royal Arms (for Ferdinando IV) at the head, below are Micheroux's titles and position as acting Foreign Secretary and acting Superintendant of the Royal Posts, 4 sides 15" x 9¾", issued 12th September 1805, returning to Naples 22nd September blank top edges a little creased without loss, some very faint browning

Antonio Micheroux undertook some of the most arduous diplomacy of his day. Following the French Revolution and the invasion of Italy he was constantly employed, in the North, in the Ionian Islands, in the South, during the siege of Castel S. Elmo at Naples and finally in central Italy, negotiating the terms of armistices, treaties and withdrawals. In May 1804, under pressure from the French, Sir John Acton was relieved of his post as Foreign Secretary and went to Sicily, and Micheroux took over. The present document was issued not long after his death on 2nd July 1805, but still bears his name.

Item Date:  1805

Stock No:  54550      £275

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