Lot 40586 – 1776, March 14. Entire letter sent by Manuel de Basavilbaso, Postmaster of Bueno

1776 (March 14). Entire letter sent by Manuel de Basavilbaso, Postmaster of Buenos Aires, to Gerónimo Grimaldi, Marquis of Grimaldi, Spanish State Secretary and “Superintendente General de Correos y Postas de España” (the highest authority of the Spanish post). The front shows in manuscript the letter to be carried by the “La Infanta” frigate and its Captain Solís, this ship belonging to the Corunna-Buenos Aires maritime line, which departed from Montevideo on March 25 and arrived at Corunna on June 19. The text inside mentions that a half barrel of “yerba mate” (maté), addressed to the Marquis of Grimaldi, is transported by the “La Infanta”. The letter was sent free of charge, thus following the norm for official mail sent between postal authorities. Ink erosion on front, of no importance. Of great significance and historical fascination, being the only recorded transatlantic mail, in private hands, addressed to a Spanish State Secretary in the XVIII century. Ex Sitjà.