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

Printed Route Schedule, from  Naples to L'Aquila  and back, of the Neapolitan Royal Courier Service, with the times allowed between the 13 staging points, (between 1 and 4 hours), and spaces for the times of arrival and departure to be inserted and signed by the postmaster, made out for royal courier D. Pietro Paolo Panico for Capua to L'Aquila and back to Naples, filled in at the beginnings and ends of the two journeys and with entries at Popoli on the way, neatly printed on stout paper with the elaborate woodcut Royal Arms (for Ferdinando IV) at the head, 4 sides 15" x 9¾", issued 22nd September 1805, returning to Naples 26th September extremely faint browning in some upper parts

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.
L'Aquila was the most northerly city in the kingdom of Naples and lies at an important crossroads high in the Abruzzi. Between L'Aquila and Popoli are two blank stages, to be filled in according to the route taken.

Item Date:  1805

Stock No:  54551      £325

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