*

c.1785. Campeche - Guatemala . Front / Franca Canobas + Stline. Dated as per time that postmaster Canobas was in charge

£100

*

1802 (10 Oct). Veracruz - Spain. EL. / Nueva España / GRS / Arrival crown "V" (alencia). Endorsed. Navio St º Domingo. Very rare complete letter. VF (I).

£100

*

1804 (2 Aug). EARLIEST KNOWN LETTER TO USA . Campeche - Philadelphia / USA . EL. Full text. Red Baltimore cds + ship "Minerva". Only recorded letter to USA during colonial Mexico . According to 1799 ship date, the captain collected 2 cents USA + inland rate Baltimore - 12 1/2c. = 14 1/2c. Outstanding historical exhibition rarity. (I). During colonial times, mail to foreign countries was forbidden. See extended article in chapter. Mexican Maritime mail Encyclopedia by Heath - Schimmer + illustration on page 17.

£2.000

*

c.1808. Mexico city - Nueva Guatemala. Front / Franco Mexico / mns "V(iva) F(ernando) 7º" (xxx/RR). Superb rarity of the rare "Viva Fernando VII" slogan on mail to Guatemala (I).

£100

*

c.1808. DF - Madrid . E. Dated by correspondence information double line FRANCO / MEXICO + "X" indicating no maritime charge (the recipient was a Royal officer). Exceptionally rare seldom seen in Mexican Maritime mail (mostly only from Peru ) (I).

£125

*

1809 (20 March). Campeche - Canary Isl. Via Veracruz . EL full text double line slanted NUEVA ESPAÑA (xx) + mns 7r. Return trip of America would sail via Cadiz , while on going from Spain was all transited in The Canary Isl. VF. Scarce town maritime origin, specially since it is full text letter (I).

£120

*

1809 (20 July). Veracruz - Spain. EL full text mns "Navio de Su Majestad San Leandro" + "Nueva / España" in grey ink + air rs 7. XF Scarce complete maritime letter (I).

£100

*

1809 (17 Nov). Veracruz - Cadiz / Spain. EL full text black washy NUEVA / ESPAÑA + fragata Concepcion + red 7rs. Arrival XF (I).

£75

*

1810 (3 March). Veracruz - Cadiz / Peninsula. EL full text double live "NUEVA / ESPAÑA" + red 7r (Cadiz). Carried by the "Goleta de su Majestad el Tigre". VF (I).

£75

*

1812 (19 April). Veracruz - Cadiz / Peninsula. EL full text. Red slanted NUEVA / ESPAÑA + 7rs (Cadiz) + Fragata Yris. VF (I).

£70

*

1814 (15 May). Veracruz / Spain . EL full text mns "Fragata Oriente" (Military ship) + double red line "NUEVA / ESPAÑA (x/xx) straight letters type. Mns 7rs charge. Scarce complete letter (I).

£30

*

1815 (25 Nov). Veracruz - Spain. EL full text. Red dots boxed NUEVA / ESPAÑA + 7 rs mns. Fragata Christina / 2ª via. VF (I).

£60

*

c.1816. Yucatan / Merida - Madrid . Maritime letter front double line "PROVINCIA / DE YUCATAN " + 7rs + dissinfection slit. V scarce mark in all forms (I).

£40

*

1817 (18 June). Mexico DF - Cadiz / Peninsula. EL full text straightline "MEXICO" + red 7r (Cadiz) + mns fragata Sabina. This mark on maritime mail complete letter is almost unrecorded (I).

£80

*

1818-20 (8 Jan and 23 April). Veracruz - Spain . 3 EL fith full text, red dots boxed "NUEVA / ESPAÑA" + 7rs, and 5rs red charge respectively. Carried by Fragata de S Majestad Efigenia and Correo Argos and Bergantin Ramonata (I).

£75

*

1819 (25 Sept). Veracruz - UK (7 Feb 20). EL fwded in Havana by Grey Fernandez and Bocker. Arrival cds. Mns. Charge on front. Displays great. Outstanding early colonial mail to UK (I).

£250

*

1819 (c.Nov, as per text). An early British mail ship sailing. A 4-page letter (first two pages missing) sent to Mr Vetch in London (possibly a Company Secretary) describing problems and conditions for miners at the British-owned mines at Vila Grande and Mineral del Monte ( Pachuca district), ending on a hopeful note. There is no indication of any forwarding agent or of the ship on which the letter was carried, but it did receive a "Franco Veracruz " cancel (in red) (VC7-6) in use between 1821 and 1831. It received the backstamp FPO JU 20 1828 on arrival on London , with in manuscript 9/- to pay (this was four times the basic rate for correspondence from Mexico . This letter would have been carried on the Tyrian packet, leaving Vera Cruz on 30 April 1828, and arriving in Falmouth on 18 June.

£50

*

c.1820 (correspondence date). Veracruz - Madrid. E. Double red "Franco en / Veracruz " (xxx) + Fragata Constitucion Spanish Gunboat named after 1812 Cadiz Liberal declaration. VF mark in maritime usage (I).

£60

*

1822 (4 April). Fort  of SAN JUAN DE ULLOA - Spain . Via Habana. EL dated Veracruz, but at this time being the only remaining colonial outpost San Juan, carried by ship Aquiles, INDIAS denoting Cuban transit + 7 reales arrival Spanish boat arrival. Dissinfection slits. VF and rarity cover, only one other complete letter and a front recorded from this last post. (I).

£350-500

*

c.1822. Villa de Albarado - Spain. E boxed town (xxx) + mns "Correo Voluntario / o 1er Barco" + 7 rs arrival charge. At this time Veracruz was under siege from Fort San Juan de Ulloa. Rarity maritime town usage illustrated MMM page 22 (I).

£350-500

*

1823 (4 Nov). Mexico - USA - UK . Earliest US forwarded mail from Mexico EL with text from an Italian firm in Mexico City to London, carried by an unknown sailing ship, without markings (possibly by a passenger on board) to New York, where the forwarding agents, Bayard & Cº sent it on to the hanker, Frederick Huth, in London. Docketed arrival date 22 Jan 1824 ie 79 days or about 3 1/2 months en route. Possibly the earliest known letter after Mexican independence to have been sent from Mexico City to the USA . Le Roy Bayard & Cº were forwarding agents in New York between 1822 and 1825 (Rowe, 1973 edition, section 121). The letter left Vera Cruz just a month after the installation of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico´s first President, in October 1823. According to the British Consul there, 123 small American vessels came to Vera Cruz in 1823, mostly bringing British goods originally imported into the USA . One of these vessels would have carried letters out of the mail on the return journey to the US .

£200

*

1825 (22 June). The British Act of Parliament of 1825 establishing a shipping line from England to Veracruz . Original 4 pages printed doc. See MMM encyclopedic page 77 illustration + chapter (III).

£60

*

1825 (23 July). Mexico DF - UK (8 Dec, 1825) FIRST OUTGOING MAIL AFTER LEGATION ESTABLISHMENT. VIA British Consular Agency, which pad just opened at spring 1825. EL carried by the "Jasper" sailed Vera Cruz August 1825 with Falmouth arrival on 8 Dec (ie 3 months route) (III).

£400

*

1826 (3 Sept). Guatemala - France . The COLONIAL OAXACA - DF - VERACRUZ postal route. E. Stline "Guatemala", mns "Por Veracruz " postal endorsement with Colonies / Bordeaux . Latest known date of this extraordinary route, which was the one during Colonial times, during which about 10-12 covers are recorded, one other post independence known showing this route, which we sold several years ago. The British Belize route opened  inmediately after. Superb example that shows exceptionally well. (VI).

£1.400

*

1826 (16 Sept). Zacatecas - Spain. EL full text carried via Habana, red "Islas de Barlovento" + 5rs (Cadiz). VF + scarce complete letter just after Independence . Scarce mail to Spain at this period (II).

£80

*

1827 (4 Jan). Veracruz - USA . One of the first letters sent to a US address after independence. E. Docketed Vera Cruz Jan(uary) 4, 1827 Taylor & Sicary  recd of Bibles for Don Pablo Abelard Duplicate Recd 23 Feb. By "Brig Elesa" from Vera Cruz to New York "PHIL(adelphia) 22 FEB (1827)" "SHIP". 14 1/2 cents changed to 27 cents (1816 ship rate 80- 150 miles 2x12 1/2 inland rate + 2 cents ship fee). Shows excellent.

£175

*

1827 (13 Nov). S. Luis Potosi - Portugal. EL fwded via UK / Falmouth via Thomas Rogers (fwding agent on front). Extraordinary rare early transatlantic destination, earliest to Portugal by 39 years. (Other being a Maximilian period cover) also Porsmouth ship letter "on front" and Falmouth packet cds depart on reverse (Feb 13/28) (III).

£300

*

1827 (13 Nov). DF - UK (28 Feb). EL full text would have been carried by sailing packet "Kingfisher" departed Veracruz 14 Dec 1827 / Falmouth 30 Jan 28. "7" r inland rate  / FRANCO VERACRUZ, British 5sh Br Accounting mark tray 1 1/4 Oz at S 12/ - per Oz. VF appealing early British mail item. Illustrated MMM page 47 (III).

£75

u

*

1827-8. Veracruz / Puebla - Spain . Post independence mail. 3 items, two with Cadiz + 6 or 8 reales, the other carried by private means. Scarce material during 1820´s period (II).

£40

*

1830 (8 May). Veracruz - UK . EL full text dep 3 June, arrived 7 Aug (91 days transit). Mns "per Robell Fuge" (an unknown mail carrier but possibly a German ship), unusual "Shipletter Dover", 2s / 4d was charged, probably double letter 1sh x2 + 4d Captain´s pence. Letter appears to have missed the Princess Elisabeth which left Veracruz on 14 June (III).

£85

*

1831 (2 Aug). DF - UK . EL full text carried via Tampico packet "Spey" dep 25 Aug 31, mail offloaded at New Orleans 3 Sept 31. Fred Frey & Cº for a faster transatlantic trip / ship letter Liverpool / London 14 Oct 1831 / 1sh 7d due. Exceptional routing (Westpex 88 U$ 250) (III).

£100

*

1831 (6 Nov). Soto La Marina - UK. EL. Red FRANCO EN / LA MARINA. Rated at 3/2d postage due by Messrs Huth the bankers, as addressees. On the reverse, the Liverpool Ship letter marking, and in red, the London receiving mark, 30 January 1832, showing three months in route. This letter would have been carried on the packet sailing ship "Calypso" which left Vera Cruz on 30 November 1831, arriving at Falmouth on 18 January. 1842. Superb exhibition item.

£200

*

1831-3. Mexico - UK . 3 covers, diff ships and mns charges, 3sh / 1d, 3sh/2d, 6sh. Carried by British Ships Stanmer, Tyrian and Nightingale respectively (III).

£60

*

1832 (11 Jan) ( Tepic ) - San Blas - Tampico - Falmouth - Glasgow . E fwded twice at San Blas and Tampico with green " MEXICO " ornamental Falmouth green pmk of the packet. Probably cancel by the "Lapwing". Extraordinary document. Illustrated MMM color plate 1 (III).

£350

*

1832 (18 Feb). MEXICO - USA - BRITISH MAIL. Mexico City - UK . Letter cover from William de Drusina in Mexico City to the banker Frederick Huth in London, docketed 18 Jan and to be sent via Philadelphia, showing the forwarder in mss as Hagerdorn, Leupold & Cº, dated 10 March, and on the reverse a crowed circle "Ship Letter, London" dated 23 April 1832 and Unpaid oval mark in red 2A Noon 2 with the same date. This is a London mark (British Postmarks, Fig 29, Alcock and Holland nº 154), and a large 8 on the front suggest that there was 8d to pay. The letter cover was 95 days en route. The "Ship Letter London" mark appears on p 230 of Alcock & Holland´s "British Postmarks, 1960 and is Fig898 in their 1935 handbook. An exceptional routing seen at this early period only.

£60

*

1832 (5 Sept). FRENCH MAILS. Mexico City - France / Bordeaux (8 Feb 1833). EL full text. Prepaid "Franco hasta el Puerto" (in red) to Veracruz - Postage not specified transported per paquebot du Mexique Balguerie et fils "Le Jean-Pierre" the ship sailed to Marseille due to a cholera epidemic in Bordeaux. The letter was dissinfected "Purifee a Marseille" and sent overland to Bordeaux . "Taxes de voie de mer" (seamail charges) 15 decimes per 7,5 gram total postage due changed from 42 to 71 decimes. French cancels (in black) boxed " Bordeaux paq reg" and " pays d´outremer". Exhibition rarity. Illustrated and studied at MMM page 100 (VI).

£280

*

1834 (26 April). Mexico City - UK. EL full text Mexican cds + "Franco has/ta el Puerto". Scarce black large letters type. Carried packet "Plover", due 3sh. British ship left Veracruz 21 May 34 / Falmouth 6 July. VF (III).

£120

*

1834 (12 Sept). Veracruz - UK . EL full text Fco / Veracruz + dated box, endorsed HMS Pearl to Portsmouth / ship letter (see pp 226/7 of Alcock and Holland ). This ship was a British Warship being relieved of Sacrificios Island Naval station near Veracruz return home. Recruitment paid 2sh / 8d: 1sh shipletter, 1s 6d inland delivery + 2d Captain´s pence. London 4 Dec. Routing time 83 days. Text refers silver exports + mercury. Extraordinary early routing (III).

£40

*

1836 (1 July). DF - Netherlands . Letter from Mexico City to Amsterdam , marked Per BM Packet Reindeer via Falmouth . On the reverse the London receipt marking 19 Aug 1836, and the Amsterdam receipt marking 21 Aug together with a Dutch inscription "Engeland… (indecipherable), all in red. The sum of 8/8d (in ms) postage due was charged in London , and a further 1 79 in Amsterdam . The letter was 7 1/2 weeks in transit. The Reindeer sailed from Vera Cruz on 3 July and arrived in Falmouth on 17 Aug 1836. Scarce early destruction + British Conection (III).

£60

*

1837 (18 Aug). Rancho Santa Rita / near Matamoros - USA. EL. With full contains posted at "PUERTO DE / MATAMOROS" (xxx/RRR) + Franco endorsed on reverse "per Goleta COMANCHA" / Captain Breda PP. Via NO Oct 2 + ship (both blue). Historical text reads: the letter reports the hardships of ranching: "…the comanches and other indian tribes are hostile and make it impossible to harvest … the preparations of the Mexican armee to attack Texas are not completed due to lack of horses, artillery and ammunition … hostilities can not be expected before spring …" illustrated MMM page 137 (VIII).

£250

*

1837 (29 Aug). DF - UK. EL. Drusina & G.J. Martinez Mexico City 29 Aug 1837. Gold finch packet left Vera Cruz on 1 Sept 1837 and arrived on 5 Nov. Postmarked Mexico City 30 Aug - per Goldfinch packet received London 7 nov 1837 - postage £ 2.1.0. Staggering transportation payment for a Mexican British mail system payment, the highest we are aware. (Schimmer 87 U$ 1,200!) (III).

£150

*

1838 (10 Aug). Zacatecas - FRANCE. FIRST FRENCH - MEXICAN WAR / PASTRY WAR (named after its origin for a local French citizen dispute). Letter contains fascinating historical account. Very few letters survived of this period. French consul in Zacatecas / fwded by A. Montluc + British packet STAR dep 2 Sept 38 Tampico / Falmouth 10ct. Illustrated MMM page 45 with extensive article (III).

£140

*

1840 (14 Feb). Double letter sheet from the firm of James Chabot in Tampico to the bankers, Rothschild & Sons, in London . This was carried by the British gun brig "Reindeer" serving as a mail carrier for the British post office packet station in England at Falmouth. The letter is dated by the sender as 16 Feb 1840, two years before the establishment of a British postal agency at the Consulate in Tampico . It bears a red star control mark, which is known as an inspector´s mark, imposed by the GPO in London on the arrival and departure of some overseas mail after checking that the ratings had been correct. The letter itself was forwarded by A.Montluc, a French merchant who acted as principal forwarding agent in Tampico at the time. The manuscript 2/3 represents the collect charge imposed by the GPO in London on arrival. On the back of the cover is the GPO receipt mark dated 17 April 1840, showing that the letter was en route for a total of 61 days.

£60

*

1840 (31 March). Zacatecas - France. Tampico / A Mont luc red oval fwding agent + French ship sail crossing / red onthemee 4 Jul 40 cds English translation / complains about life condition in country. VF (VI).

£40

*

1840 (7 Sept). Zacatecas - France / Le Havre. EL. Carried. By British packet and docketed as received on 4 Dec. The route used "pr Packet" (in red mss on the front) was by the sailing packet "Skylark" from Tampico to Cove in Ireland, "COVE SHIPLETTER" marking with Cove cds of 28 Nov on arrival, together with a 1/6d seamail charge differing from the standard 2/3d rate. In London the letter received the square arrival mark in red date 5nº29 40, similar to Alcock and Holland´s Fig 445, and was then cancelled in red in both Calais and Paris 3 Dec, with the Havre cancel the following day. 27 decimes postage due to pay, 57 days en route. Most unusual routing (III).

£150

*

1841 (24 July). Colotlan ( Guadalajara ) - France. EL / FRANCO en COLOTLAN / (xxx) with another letter enclosed, marked "Via Vera Cruz" and carried by an unknown French ship with a "PD" marking in red to Diehoud "near Argenzac Department" in the Correze. No rate mark. The letter was given an "Outremer Pauillac" (ie Bordeaux ) cancel dated "9 October", and backstamped with the transit markings of Bordeaux , Beaulieu, Tulle. Three months in transit. XF item (IV).

£180

*

1843 (8 March). British MAIL with DOUBLE FORWARDING AGENTS. A letter cover to London from Uhde & Pini in Mazatlan on the Pacific coast, dated 8 March 1843, and apparently carried out of the mail across the country to Mexico City , where it was forwarded to Vera Cruz on 23 March by the agents Sengstack & Schütte. On arrival, it was cancelled "Franqueado Vera Cruz" by the Mexican post office (very faint) and forwarded again via the British Consulate (cds "Vera Cruz 29 March") by the agent Brunner & Büsing, marked "per Royal Mail Steam Packet". On arrival in London , it received the datemerk "11 May 1843" in red; the standard rate of 2/3d for a single letter was marked and paid by the addressee, Messrs Huth. 54 days en route. This example of a double, or possibly triple, forwarding agent involved, is illustrated on page 371 of "Mexican Maritime Mail". Illustrated MMM page 371 with extensive chapter search. RMSP Thames departed Veracruz 27 March 1843. Displays excellent (III).

£100

*

1843 (7 June). DOUBLE FORWARDED MAIL PREVIOUS TO BRITISH TRANS CROSSING. Outer letter sheet from Mazatlan , with an ms by the forwarding agent Sengstock and Schutte in Mexico City , where it was sent by endorsement to Braun and Busing, the second forwarder in Vera Cruz. It was given a cds by the British postal agency there (on the reverse) and carried to England by the RMSP.

£50

*

1843 (13 April). Guaymas - UK . EL full text BRITISH MAIL SYSTEM with double forwarding agents in Mexico City and Veracruz . Mexico City to London forwarded by Sengstack & Schütte to the British postal agency in Vera Cruz where it received the cancel "27 May 1843", being forwarded by the agents Brünner & Büssing there on board an RMSP ship. On arrival in London , the GPO arrival mark was imposed with the date " July" and a manuscript charge of 4/6 to be collected from the addressee. In transit from 22 May 1843 until 2 July, ie a total of 41 days. Carried by RMSP "Tweed". Displays well (III).

£80

*

1844 (17 July). Mazatlan - UK . Forwarding agents via British Mail. E endorsed Sengstock Schütte / Mexico DF 22 Aug 1844 / fwded / to Brünner & Büssing at the Mexican P.O. in Veracruz , were posted and handed to Veracruz BPO. Per RMSP Severn, departed Veracruz 1 Sept 1844. Scarce double forwading + double post office (Mexican + British). Displays well opened. Signed Schimmer (III).

£100

*

1844 (21 Nov). Tampico - FRANCE . E. Posted at the Mexican post office Santa Anna de Tamaulipas 21 Nov 1844 paying the local rate of 1 real - (Red) British Consular Postal Agency "Tampico 22 No 1844 - sent as unpaid letter via London (6 Jan 45) to the exchange office Calais (7 Jan) - "Colonies & c. Art. 12" (in red box) accountancy marking applied - 18 decimes postage due collected in Le Havre . Per RMSP "Forth" departed Tampico 22 Nov 1844. Scarce combination of diff mail systems + Art 12. Illustrated MMM page 296 (IV).

£60

*

1846 (27 June). Colotlan - France. EL. With departure Mexico P.O. "FRANCO / COLOTLAN" (xxx/RR) + 4. Via Veracruz - Habana carried by Spanish Boat / Habana 26 AGO 46 where handed to British P.O. / Havana (2 Sept) for transatlantic crossing via UK owards. Extraordinary (IV).

£200

*

1848 (28 July). Mexico City - USA / New Orleans . Via Veracruz . Not back stamped. EL. Full text written on a sheet of REVENUE PAPER "Sello tercero - CUATRO REALES" for the year 1846-7. Text reports about condition in Mexico City and the senders intention to claim land along the Rio Grande (in English), very interesting as it happens during US Mexican war.

£160

*

1848 (16 Oct). BRITISH + FRENCH Maritime mail Exchange / MAIL to Italy . This wrapper, sent by a British packet ship on October 16, 1848 from Vera Cruz at the standard seamail rate of 2/3d to a forwarding agent in London, Heath, Furse & Cº (see cachet on reverse) was to be forwarded to an Italian addressee, "Don Andres Pracaida"  at "Carrara". On arrival in London , it received the GPO mark "NL 23 no2 1848" and on the front the London cds showing "Paid 23 Nov, 1848" and on the front the London cds showing "Paid 23 Nov, 1848". Heath, Furse crossed out their name and address, and after apparently paying £ 1.3.0 to the GPO (see notation in red) presumably to cover the postal cost to Italy, put the letter back into the London mail where it received the striking "Returned from" marking against the "Paid cds Originally marked "par France" (in the left hand bottom corner). Sent from London via Boulagne (with the standard French cancel for British mail dated "24 Nov") it was given, in red, the scarce "PF" in oval (see Hafinger "Monographie der Franzoesischen Briefmarke" Val.I, p20) strike signifying "Port Payé jusqu" a la Frontiere and on crossing the frontier into Savoy also had a 10 decimes postage due to France superimposed in manuscript. At that point it was given an Italian marking "Via di Pt Beauvoisin" and on arriving in Lucca received on the reverse the town cancel dated "1 Dec 1848". Thereafter there are no markings, but the mss inscription "Iconosciuto" on the reverse suggests that the letter was never delivered. The letter was at least 76 days in transit. The nº 30 at the top right hand corner is probably a letter file number placed on it by the forwarding agent in London at the same time as the payment for forwarding was noted in red. Per RMSP "Teviot" departed Vera Cruz 18 October 1848. Veracruz BPO reverse. Exceptional postal history item (III) + (VI).

£100

*

1848 (12 Dec). Tequache / Yucatan - USA / NO. EL. With text oval FRANCO / MERIDA . With "ship / 6 cents" (xx). Addressed to the French Consul. VF. Rare maritime origin area. Illustrated MMM page 214 (VIII).

£280

*

1849 (1 Aug). Veracruz - USA. EL. Veracruz paid crown circle (xxx). Via Mobile / Ala. Red cds + "ship / 12" oval mark. RMSP trent dep Veracruz 16 Aug 49. Lovely condition item + USA destination for the crown circle (very scarce) EX Everett Earl. lllustrated MMM page 53 (VIII).

£250

*

1849 (27 Sept). MEXICO BRITISH CONSULAR LEGATION postal cachet to USA . DF - USA . EL. Docketed "27 September" and bearing "Mexico City" cancel in red, the circular seal mark of the British Consulate in Mexico City", and the "Crown in Circle" "Paid at Vera Cruz" cancel of the British consular postal agency there, together with the Consulates cds dated "Oct 17 1849" and impression of the British "extraordinario" courier, Rafael Veraza, from Mexico City to Vera Cruz, and thence by the RMSP packet ship to Mobile on its inward run from England via Vera Cruz. In Mobile, it received the post office handstamp in blue dated "28 October" and "Ship" before being sent on to Philadelphia, arriving there on 16 Nov, ie 50 days en route. The letter was rated at 1/-, in mns on the front, by way of British sea charges, with 10 cents to pay in blue as the US rate. Per RMSP "Teviot" departed Vera Cruz 18 Oct 1849. ONLY USAGE of British Consular cachet to US that we´ve been seen (VIII).

£500

*

1849 (27 Nov). Tampico - USA. British TAMPICO crown circle in red. EL. Sta.Anna Tamaulipas Mexican postal mark, red BPO Tampico + British charge to USA. Per RMSP " Clyde " departed 17 Jan. Superb condition. Ex - Everell Earl (1981 - 1,000 U$). Illustrated MMM page 53-50 (VIII).

£250

*

1849 (14 Dec). Mexico DF - UK. EL. Via Acapulco (13 Jan 1850). "Test" letter to try a new mail route via Acapulco and Panama . During 1848-9. Traffic strips in the American Pacific Coast increased enormously due to the Gold rush of California . This letter tried to benefit of that. Extraordinary. Proper charges / Panama + British. Illustrated MMM page 241. (III).

£350

*

1849 816 Dec). USA - BRITISH MAIL. Veracruz - UK. Via ALABAMA. E. Carried out of the mail and posted by forwarder J. Bell & Cº at mobile, Alabama 24 Dec (oval blue mark) - Via Halifax to London. 5 cents US Inland, 16 cents packet and 3 cents British inland charges = 24 cents 1/- collected from recipient. Exceptional routing the only we´ve seen having such a conecting point on transatlantic mail. Arrives London 22 Jan 50. Illustrated MMM page 56.

£140

*

1851. Veracruz - France . EL. Posted Veracruz Mexican post office 6 Sept 1851 and handed to the British Consular Postal agency the same day as unpaid letter per RMSP "Great Western" departed Vera Cruz 6 Sept 1851. Via London 8 Oc 1851 to the exchange office Calais accountancy tray "Colonies & c Art 13" - 16 decimes postage due. Accompanied by article about this fascinating ship.

£60

*

1851 (8 March). Queretaro - USA. EL. Full text. Franklin B. Walton, MD 8 MArch 1851 - Queretaro "3" (reales) "Franco" - inland rate prepaid (all in red) ship rate of 1851: unpaid ship under 3,000 miles 7 cents. Scarce combination of Mexican + US postal administration.

£100

*

1851 (22 March). Acapulco - USA / Mass. EL. Written on board US steamer " Oregon " via Panama . California gold rush time period 40 cts paid in full. Illustrated MMM page 244 (VIII).

£150

*

1852 (2 Jan). Tepic - USA / NY. Albany . Envelope red "Franqueado / en Tepia" (xxx) + "4" charge on reverse. Via N.O. + ship 7. (1851 ship rate for less than 2,000 miles 2 cents + Inland 5 cents). Via Veracruz. VF. Illustrated MMM page 243 (VIII).

£180

*

1852 (9 Jan). Puebla - Cadiz (1 Feb). Via Veracruz - Habana. Spanish mail ship "5" reales blue Habana + 7 rs red Spain modified from a 5 rs (to include Cuban charge) EL full contains. V interesting (II).

£60

*

1852. Mexico City - PRUSSIA / Germany . E. Merchant´s handstamp de wilde & Co Mexico carried out of the mail to Veracruz - posted directly at the British Consular Postal Agency 5 July 1852 as unpaid letter. Per RMSP "Medway" departed Vera Cruz 5 July 1852. Instruction: "Pr West India mail steamer" - transit London 2 Aug. Exchange office cancel in red "seebrief per England und Aachen " English charges 2/3d - Prussian postage due 28 Groschen (in blue ink). Prussian railroad cancel "Deutz - Minden T III - 3 8" and Versmold distribution cancel "4 N 1 8". Ex - Schimmer.

£75

*

1852 (2 Sept). Guadalajara - FRANCE. EL full text "Franqueado / Guadalajara" cds Mexico post administration to Veracruz BPO / 4rs internal prepayment. Via British mail + red "Art 13" box. Unusual systems combinations. VF + a rarity out of this early maritime mail.

£160

*

1852 (29 Sept). Veracruz - Tampico . EL. With the cds of the British postal agency in Vera Cruz, this letter, which was first cancelled at the Mexican post office there and then given the British "Crown in Circle" "Paid at Vera Cruz" cancel was carried by the RMSP steamer "Dee" to Tampico, which sailed that day. 1/ - shown as paid by the sender. An excellent strike and appealing cover (IV).

£125

*

c.1852. Acapulco (?) - Veracruz. E. With mns endorsement "Por vapor" Turbide de Orleans el 11 de Mayo, stline ACAPULCO (xxx/RR) + "3". The route is obscure, but in John Heath´s opinion this cover was posted by a ship captain at Acapulco for Veracruz . Xtraord. rare preph postmark + postal history ite (XI).

£125

*

1853 (11 Aug). Puerto de Mazatlan to France. EL. Por el paquete Ingles. With a full Mazatlan cancel in red + FRANCO in wreath, the letter was apparently charged "6" (reales) to reach the port of Vera Cruz which may have been paid there. Backstamped with the cds of the British postal agency at the Consulate in Vera Cruz dated "4 September", a London transit receiving mark in red, a Paris cancel dated "4 October" and a Bordeaux cancel of 9 October, this letter was apparently redirected to an address at Valence, with the postage due increased from 34 decimes to 42. Two months en route. Excellent. (IV).

£175

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1853 (25 Oct). MEXICAN MAIL AND INLAND COMPANY. DF - Puebla color beautiful embossed illustrated paddle steamer envelope front / carried by Mexican postal administration. Addressed to James C.Curran c/o A.Blumenknow the only postally used cover recorded of this line. One of the greatest classic Mexican maritime rarities. Illustrated MMM color plate 5 (VIII).

£500

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1853. Veracruz - France . FRENCH CONSULAR mail. Envelope from the French consulate Veracruz , posted at the Mexican post office 5 Dec 1853 and handled by the British Consular postal agency as unpaid letter the same day. Per RMSP " Dee " departed Vera Cruz 5 Dec 1853. London transit 5 Jan - Exchange office Calais accountancy tray "Colonies & Art.13" weight of 8 grams= two French "Poids" - 30 decimes postage due.

£60

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1854 (23rd March). Zacatecas - FRANCE PANAMA BPO ROUTING DISRUPTION. Rarity for its routing from BPO at East Mexican Coast , Panama / Veracruz . Per RMSP "Teviot" departed Vera Cruz 4 April 1854. EL with Zacatecas cancel Yag-Bash Z5-7 (used only in 1854) and marked as 4 reales paid, to be sent "Por el Vapor de Vera Cruz" with the backstamped cds of the British postal agency in Vera Cruz dated 4 April, and in red "Panama Transit" followed by the Loncon transit mark dated 29 Apr and the Anglo - French Calais exchange cancel of 30 April, being then delivered via Paris on 2 May Panama transit. 21 decimes to pay in postage due. The interesting and most unusual mark suggest that as the letter was likely to miss the regular British packet boat which was due to leave Tampico for Southampton on 30 March, it was taken instead to the port of Mazatlan on the Pacific coast and then shipped to Panama, taken across the isthmus by rail to the port of Chagres where a British packet could have brought it up to Vera Cruz just in time to catch the RMSP "Teviot" which departed on 4 April. The total journey time on this section of the route would have been 12 days, and it is known that British firms using Gulf ports at the time did in fact contemplate using the route in transit via Panama (see p 240 of Mexican Maritime Mail), althought not in general successfully. This may have been an exception; and it is interesting to note that for some reason on arriving in Calais, the letter was not given the usual Anglo-French GB accountancy tray marking, but only the mns 21 decimes to pay by way of postage due arrival.

£350-700

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1854 (21 May). USA Steamer Antilope / off SAN DIEGO / California - NY. Carried by Mexican West Coast steamer. "PAID / STD" + oval "PAID / CITY / 24 JT Exp Post". Via Adam Express. Envelope with full contains mentioning S. Diego and SF Excellent transcontinental crossing + A E Cº (VIII).

£160

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1854 (22 July). Zacatecas - France. EL oval illustr FRANCO / ZACATECAS. Via Veracruz BPO. Censored by RMSP " Solent " dep 4 Aug 54. Red "Colonies / Art 13" + charges. Excellent usage. (IV).

£160

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1854. Fresnillo - FRANCE . Entire from Fresnillo in the State of Zacatecas (Yag/Bash 57 and 57A) addressed to Señor Domingo Sescosse at Lanasoro (Pont Majours) near Bayonne , Lower Pyrenees, France, and dated 19 July 1854. Inscribed "Francia", "por Vera Cruz", "En el paquete Ing(les)" and por Bayonne, and on the reverse flap a 4 reales domestic postage due rate marking, it received the cds of the British postal agency in Vera Cruz on 4 Aug 1854, the London marking 29 Aug 1854, the Angl Amb Calais marking (very faint under FRANCO), the red boxed "Colonies & Art 13" at Calais, and cancels at Paris, Ustariz (twice), Salies de Bearn (twice), and Bayonne on 30 Aug, 1st and 2nd September, and 3 Sept respectively, with in manuscript 15 decimes to be paid by addressee as postage due. The letter was 45 + days in transit. Scarce combination of mail systems. Per RMSP "Solent" departed Vera Cruz 4 Aug 1854.

£100

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1854 (24 Nov). Mineral de la Luz / Gjto - France. E. With double ring pmk "MINERAL DE LA LUZ / FRANCO" (xxx/RRR), discovery copy, with Yag - Bash GN45, recorded but not illustrated, "7" via BPO Veracruz. Per RMSP "Treviot" departed Veracruz 5 Dec 54. Exceptional transatlantic diff post office pmks comb cover.

£250

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c.1854. Front of a cover to the Cashier of the New Orleans Canal Company, eith reverse flap showing a strike "Attakapakas Packet - J.J. Labartine Rio Grande" handstamp in red ie transferred at Rio Grande from Mexico with, in red, oval "Paid F.A.Dentzel" - Agent P.O. - New Orleans. A maritime cover only in the sense that the letter crossed the Rio Grande (VIII).

£160

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1855 (22 June). Zacatecas - France. EL / FRANCO EN ZACATECAS / double line + 6. Via BPO Veracruz, per RMSP "Wye" dep 5 July 55 / Colonies Artº 13 accontancy marky. VF (IV).

£125

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1855 (20 Oct). Aguascalientes - France . EL. Boxed dated town name + Franco (both xxx). Via BPO Veracruz / 3 Nov 55 / RMSP Solent . 43 days transit VF transatlantic. Town mpk usage (IV).

£150

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1856 (19 Feb). Puebla - USA. EL full text Puebla ds + Franco boxes red NO cds + steamship 10. 2 reales for domestic prepayment shown on reverse. Displays well opened. Scarce overseas combination of diff postal administrations. VF.

£120

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1856 (4 March). Veracruz - France . EL. Oval ADUANA / MARITIMA VERACRUZ + red Colonies Artº 18 (used during year 1856 only, very rare). Cancel via Veracruz BPO / RMSP Dec (5 March 56). Superb show mark overseas usage.

£180

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1856 (23 May). La Luz / Gjto - France. E. Double ring "FRANCO EN LA LUZ " / mns date + Colonies Artº 18 (xxx/RR) the scarce type for use only during 1856. Carried via Veracruz / BPO / 4 june 56 by RMSP "Type". Exceptional good condition (IV).

£200

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1856 (2 July). Mexico City - FRANCE - GERMANY . EL. British Consular Postal Agency Veracruz 2 July 1856 instruction: "per Royal mail steam packet" London Transit 1 Au 56 - Calais exchange office accountancy tray "Colonies Art. 18" 15 decimes postage due assessed. Per RMSP " Conway " departed Vera Cruz 5 July 1856. Addressed had moved, the letter was forwarded to the Hamburg Thurn & Taxis post office 4/8/1856. 222 Pfennig ( Hamburg currency 1 mark= 192 Pfennig) postage due. A very scarce combination usage of Veracruz BPO with red Colonies Art 18. Illustrated MMM page 298.

£140

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1856 (20 Sept). Veracruz - USA . Sealed folded letter sheet, endorsed Veracruz , fkd single 1/2 red blue 1856 issue (Sc1), first tariff rate (valid 20 Dec 1856), via Mobile / Alabama (20 Oct) + 10c internal. Item was taken directly on board, but correctly fkd for local usage as per regulations. Lovely item (VIII).

£280

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1857 (2 Feb). DF - Veracruz . EXTRAORDINARIO mail with DOS REALES. Docketed Julio F. Uhink Mexico City 2 Feb 1857. Instruction P.Extraordinario. EL full text fkd 25 1856 issue. It is assumed that all mail transported by the British Courier Service paid double postage. Single letters to Vera Cruz should have been charged with 4 - not 2 reales. The letter was delivered in Veracruz 3 Feb confirming the use of the courier service. Apparently the only known example.

£375

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1857 (27 April). Colima - DF. EL. Fkd 2rs 1856 issue. As per Karl Schimmer quoted a letter of great postal history importance text "The steamers of the PMSS Cº propose touching the port of Manzanillo once a month, both on their voyage from Panama and San Francisco…" "You may therefore expect on or about the 23rd of each month the steamer from Panama bound to this port and on or about the 25th of each month, the steamer thence for Panama ". "We will presume this arrangement will be most desirable to you, as it will prevent your treasures for either place remaining long in Manzanillo…". K. Schimmer 1992 U$ 1,200). Illustrated MMM page 246 with 3 pages of extensive article dedicated (VIII).

£120

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1857 (22 Sept). SLP - DF. Official cover front fkd 1856 2rs / SLP, central cds. Smashing item.

£30

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1857. Mazatlan - Guaymas. E fkd 1rl yellow, district name + red date box.

£70

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c.1857 (9 Sept). Perote - Jalapa . E fkd 1856 1/2 rl, pair district name, good margins. Tied box "PEROTE" + mns cancel. Signed E Aguirre / Mex. VF.

£140

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1858 (2 Aug). DF - France. E. Fkd 1856 2rs deep green, name + cds via BPO Veracruz / RMSP " Solent " / 4 Aug 58. VF 2rs. 1st issue overseas scarce usage as single franking (IV).

£200

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1859 (29 Jan). Veracruz - Puebla. "Por extraordinario". Return trip. Delivered by the courier in Puebla 2 Feb. The British packet arrived in Veracruz 2 Feb 1859. The courier Rafael Veraza started his journey to Mexico City inmediately after mail delivery. Being the safest mail service, Mexican merchants used the service avoiding the mexican postal facilities. The Mexican Postal administration tolerated it during Veraza´s life time. RMSP Clyde returned from Tampico to Vera Cruz on 2 Feb 1859, and Sr Veraza may well have taken this letter up to Puebla the same day. Important letter that shows the work of the extraordinario service, very scarce on the return.

£140

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1859 (20 May). MEXICO TEHUANTEPEC continental crossing route. Env fkd US 10 cts, S Fcº cds (inverted YEAR position) endorsed "Via Tehuantepec" + c/o Col. Thomton. VF (VIII).

£80

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1859 (27 July). Hermosillo - Guaymas. E fkd 1856 1rl yellow vertical strip of three, Hermosillo district name + double line "Franco en / Hermocillo" cancel cover. Scarce district + rare low value multiple on cover. F-VF.

£425

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1859 (19 Oct). EXTRAORDINARIO del 19 Oct 59. DF - USA / New Orleans . The special courier mail. Letter front fkd 1856 issue 4rs green + 8 reales lilac horiz pair all large margins, tied cds. New Orleans cds + STEAMSHIP circular cachet. High manuscript 40 cts (US) for US arrival charge. Ex Michael Hart. Mepsi Cert (+ 9178). Outstanding Mexican maritime item. Illustrated MMM page 63 (VIII).

£1.200

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1859. Hermosillo - Guaymas. E fkd 1856 1rl Hermosillo name + red one line cancel. Tied.

£50

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1859. DF - PT Guaymas. E fkd 1856 2rs, with PLATE CRACK at left, cds. Fine.

£40

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1860 (13 March). Hermosillo - Guaymas. EL full text fkd 1856 single 2 rs intense green, Hermosillo district name + double strightline cancel. XF.

£180

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1860 (5 May). Hermosillo - Guaymas. EL fkd 1856 2rs green (x2) Hermosillo district name, "Franco en / Hermocillo" tied cancels. Most aesthetic appealing item.

£325