This Italian postal stationery card, issued in 1874, features the brown 10 centesimi preprinted design with the portrait of King Umberto I, crowned with the royal Savoy coat of arms surrounded by military flags. It was part of the early "Risposta" system, enabling prepaid replies for international or domestic correspondence. The design is typographically printed on thin cream stock, measuring approximately 140 x 90 mm. The front bears a fine manuscript address to Palermo, with a faint but legible circular datestamp dated 13 October (presumably 1874), matching the content date inside: "Campo Militare, 13 Agosto 1874". The reverse carries a full handwritten military message in brown ink, written in elegant cursive Italian, referencing both the recipient’s letter and family matters—an intimate window into the life of a soldier shortly after the unification period. Though the card has toned and shows signs of handling, this adds to its period authenticity. Catalog numbers: Scott UX11, Michel IT P 11, Yvert IT CP11, Sassone IT 11. Estimate "$40 – 60"