Lot 10594 – Puebla 7c lithographed soldier’s rate solo use cover from Tlaxcala to Cracow

A UNIQUE SOLDIER’S RATE 7c SINGLE USAGE ON COVER SENT OVERSEAS

Puebla 7c grey lithographed (consignment #46-1866 sub 45), complete to huge margins with part of neighbouring stamp at top left, single use on cover from Tlaxcala to Cracow (Austria, in present-day Poland) dated October 23, 1866, tied by cds on dispatch (Schatzkes #1256), travelled via London, Calais and Paris with Anglo-French mark “GB 1F60” and red French “Outre-Mer Voir D’Angl(eterre)” date stamp; London, Paris and Austrian “Krakau” on arrival backstamps. The 7c was a soldier’s concessionary rate, and this is the only known example, with the extraordinary destination making this exhibition item of the utmost desirability.

Note: The “Maximilian” Issue is seldom found on letters overseas, and in this case it is to be noted that only 100 of the 7c were sub-consigned to Tlaxcala. This famous cover was illustrated on page 120 of the “Mexican Maritime Mail” handbook by Schimmer and Heath.

Provenance: García Larrañaga and Quast.