Lot 10388 – THE EARLIEST COVER FROM THE AMERICAS EXHIBITING A RATE

THE EARLIEST COVER FROM THE AMERICAS EXHIBITING A RATE MARKING

1764 (Oct 31). Entire letter from Córdoba del Tucumán to Granada (Spain), most probably completing the route via Buenos Aires-Montevideo-Cádiz, struck on arrival with red “Andalucia/la Alta” two-line handstamp and “4” rate marking, to be paid by the addressee. The letter was unpaid on dispatch, following the usual practice before the application of the 20.8.1764 tariff. The earliest known usage of a rate handstamp on a letter originating from the Americas, also representing the first recorded transatlantic postal fee applied in Europe.

Provenance: Kouri and Sitjà.