In the Italian-language period, dateless, straight-line hand-stamps reading RACCOMANDATO (-A, -E) or PER CONSEGNA were used on registered letters for information and only adventitiously to cancel stamps. With the change to French as the European language, date-stamps were introduced having the word RECOMMANDÉ(E)S; they were used as cancellations. Later date-stamps for registered mail were identified only by the single letter R (sometimes as R.D. or R. & P.). Rectangular R handstamps having space for a number to be entered were not introduced until the late 19th century. Mail that was insured was struck with a straight-line ASSICURATE in the early period; later markings included the word ASSURE or INSURED.