Lot 10407 – 1773-1860 An extraordinary postal history assembly containing 78 items

1773-1860 An extraordinary stampless postal history assembly containing 78 items, including 1776 the earliest example recorded of any of the extensively used « Islas De Barlovento » postmarks in America and the earliest usage of the « Yndias » marking in Cuba, an abundant display of « Islas de Barlovento » examples including very rare 1785 entire to France or a 1804 entire stating the capture of a Spanish ship carrying mail from Cuba, unique or very rare combinations of this postmark with local handstamps, the rarest « Islas de Barlovento » type (two examples known), very rare usages in black, etc; five of just sixteen ship’s register covers recorded sent from Latin American origins, of which four with different combinations of postmarks with « Islas De Barlovento » and most of them being unique in conjunction, a very rare usage of the « Indias » postmark (only four known), high rates such as 335 reales paid on arrival in Madrid, an extremely scarce usage of the « Nueva España » hs on mail from Cuba, a probably unique wrong application of the « Buenos Ayres » pmk in Spain on mail from Cuba, one of two items recorded with the « Yndias » hs of San Sebastián, the unique pre-philatelic registered cover sent abroad and this in addition being very rarely sent to Colombia, a rare official mail from Cienfuegos to Spain (two recorded). The « Empresa de Correos Marítimos » section comprises usages with very few examples recorded (P.E. 45, the earliest of at most 5 known or P.E. 6) or a rare mail originating from Puerto Príncipe and will continue in the incoming mail part (see next paragraph). With regards to the British P.O. one cover displays the « Paid/At/Havana » crowned circle. The destinations throughout include Spain, France, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala.

The incoming mail section mainly comprises mail from Spain, but also from France. In the highlights from Spain we find the only example recorded of Spanish military franchise used on transatlantic mail, « a probably unique usage in conjunction of the « Havana » & « España » pmks, one of very few items known with the mistakenly used « Yndias » pmk on incoming mail, the only cover recorded bearing the extensively used « España » marking in manuscript, the unique « Empresa » cover with « S » & « NA » (P.E. 69 & 63), four of just six (the majority) ship’s register covers known prior to the introduction of postage stamps and the only one of all in existence also from -America- with its contents (paradoxically all originate from Spain), a very rare combination of the « España » and the Cuban « Nuevitas » pmks, a very rare incoming letter disinfected in Havana and unique with the « Yndias/E » hs (P.E. 56) in blue, a combination of a Correo Marítimo with and Yndias hs, one of three « Correo Maritimo./N°.2 » struck in yellow, a high 32 reales rate on cover carried through the « Empresa de Correos Marítimos », rare incoming mail from France through the « Empresa », very rare « E./NE » pmk on mail from France and Great Britain, examples of the « N. Europa » marking from the « Empresa », etc.

In addition an internal ship’s register cover from Havana to La Siguapa Cay in Cárdenas, being an extraordinarily rare kind of postal document used in Cuba.

Generally in very fine condition for this territory, which is affected by tropical conditions. A unique opportunity to obtain an extraordinary collection with many rarities which would represent the highlights of a highly awarded FIP exhibit. The great majority originating from the famous Jesús Sitjà collection, with outstanding items also having other great provenances such as Dr. Ibáñez and Dr. Yamil Kouri.