Lot 10464 – 1860, April 17. Large envelope from Valencia, the only reported example of “España” marking in blue

1860 (April 17). Large envelope from Valencia, being remarkably addressed to the Captain General (highest rank in the hierarchy) of Puerto Rico stationed at San Juan, endorsed “S.M” standing for “Servicio Militar”, denoting military correspondence, with fancy cachet of a military court in the General Headquarters of Valencia and Murcia, with signatures at base and manuscript text confirming the official nature of the contents, displaying Valencia dispatch c.d.s., “A” marking for “Abono” indicating pre-payment and, delightfully struck, “España” straight-line (type 16) in blue, backstamped in transit at Madrid. Some slight aging as usually found and few worm holes at left. The only reported example of this very rare marking in blue; additionally, this is the penultimate usage documented in America of a “España” postmark. Cert. CEM. Ex Roca, Acevedo and Sitjà.