Lot
1504 
Cuba, 1760-78 (c.) Gandia, Spain to Havana, Cuba, folded cover with "V/ VALEN / CIA" three-line handstamp (known 1760-78) and additional "VALENICIA" straightline, Havana red "ESPANA" straightline handstamp (type 1: 1x3.6cm, 1765-1801), Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED HAVANA "ESPANA" POSTMARK STRUCK ON MAIL TO HAVANA.
By the King's order the ESPANA handstamp should have been struck in La Coruna on each transatlantic letter. If this was missed, the postmaster was obliged to struck this post at the port of arrival. Though the trading companies still had their office in Cadiz, the Espana marking had to be struck in Havana.
Lot
1505
1771 (c.) La Coruna, Spain to Potosi, Bolivia, folded cover with part letter addressed to Pedro de Tagle, the Judge of the Real Audiencia of Charcas, red "ESPÑA" straightline struck at La Coruna (1764-1801) and manuscript "3" Silver Reales rating for up to ¼ ounce, carried by ship via "Bs. Ayres" to Potosi; cover tear, F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
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Lot
1506
1773 (Oct. 11) Havana, Cuba to Barcelona, Spain via Cadiz, datelined folded letter with Cadiz red "YNDIAS" straightline and red "4" Silver Real due rating, Barcelona manuscript "5" for additional 1 Silver Real local charge due, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THIS IS THE EARLIEST LETTER FROM CUBA TO THE SPANISH MAINLAND WITH "YNDIAS" POSTMARK.
The privilege to operate mail services went back to 1764 from the Carvajal & heirs/family which had run the "Correo Major de Yndias" since 1514 when the Spanish Emperor Ferdinand and Isabella appointed Dr. Lorenzo Galindez de Carvajal as Postmaster General for the Americas.
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Realized: $900
Lot
1507
1775 (Aug. 27) Havana, Cuba to Genoa, Italy via Cadiz, folded letter with Cadiz red "YNDIAS" (type 1) straightline with matching red "4" silver Real handstamp for up to ¼ ounce (tariff 1765-1806), Madrid crowned "M" postmark, manuscript "L1:18" due rating for 1 Lira 18 Denari due at Genoa, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THIS IS THE SECOND EARLIEST RECORDED HAVANA COVER TO THE SPANISH MAINLAND WITH YNDIAS POSTMARK, AND THE EARLIEST TRANSITING SPAIN TO A FOREIGN EUROPEAN COUNTRY.
Having abolished all other communication lines, the Spanish postal services were definitely operated by the Royal Mail Post Office from 1st July 1769 onwards. The "Correos Maritimos del Estado" provided monthly sailings between Havana and Spain. Calls at Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo were incorporated in its schedule. A general postal administration was set up in Havana, which had control and supervised the services in the Americas.
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Realized: $1,700
Lot
1508
Cuba, 1776 (Feb.) Palacio del Prado to the Bishop of Cuba, folded letter with Royal Decree of King Carlos III from the Palacio del Prado to the Bishop of Cuba, two disinfection slits; some separations and erosion throughout, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE ONLY RECORDED KING CARLOS III SIGNED LETTER IN PRIVATE HANDS.
There are three recorded letters with the signature of King Carlos III, this one in private hands and two in museums.
Until 1764, the "Corres Major de Indias" was in existence, which was based on chartered ships, navy vessels or merchant ships and was not able to guarantee the demand of a reliable trade-communication. But the demand for reliable communication had grown especially on the part of the Spanish Government and the authorities in the colonies. Therefore it was decided to organize an own, more reliable Spanish communication system, because the isle of Cuba was the most important intermediate point for communication between Spain and the Americas at the end of the 18th up to the middle of the 19th century. It also became a crossroads with South / Central America between North American and Europe.
The possibility to form a "Correos Maritimos del Estado" was made for Spain after negotiating the Treaty of Tordesillas 1494 between Portugal and Spain in Madrid 1750. On 6th August 1764, the "Correos Maritimos del Estado" was inaugurated by the Royal "Real Cedula" of Carlos III.
Lot
1509
Cuba, 1779 (c.) Cadiz, Spain to Guatemala via Havana and Vera Cruz, folded cover magenta "CADIZ" straightline, sent via Havana and Vera Cruz, then overland to Guatemala, magenta "ESPANA" straightline applied in Havana, red manuscript "5" silver Reales rating for up to ½ ounce, minor tone spots, Very Fine and early use with the Havana "ESPANA" handstamp. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $425
Lot
1510
Cuba, 1779 (c.) via Cadiz, Spain to Guatemala and Havana, two folded covers, first to Guatemala carried by Frigate "Navarra" from Cadiz via Havana and Vera Cruz, then overland to Guatemala, red "CADIZ" straightline and framed "3Pta." silver Reales due handstamp for up to ¼ ounce; second to Havana with red "CADIZ" straightline and framed "7. Pta" silver Reales due handstamp for up to ¾ ounce. Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
1511
1788 (Aug. 30) Spain to Lima, Peru via Buenos Ayres, folded cover sent via Buenos Ayres overland to Lima with "ESPÑA" straightline struck at Buenos Ayres, manuscript "7" Silver Reales for up to ¾ ounce due (tariff: 1764-1807), some faults, Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
It had been ordered by King Carlos III that each letter had to be marked by an ESPAÑA marking of La Coruna, if forgotten there it would be marked at the port of entry.
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Realized: $210
Lot
1512
1794 (Nov. 23) Madrid, Spain to Lima, Peru via Cartagena and Panama, folded prepaid letter endorsed "Por la Coruna y Cartagena", carried via Cartagena and Panama overland and by ship to Lima, "M. / Franqueado." handstamp and manuscript "X" indicating prepayment; some erosion at center, Fine, a possible unique routing from Spain to Peru. Estimate $200 - 300.
When prepaid, the charge was never written, instead an "X" and/or "Franqueado" handstamp was struck.Cuba was the hub for the Spanish Fleet from the 16th to the mid 18th century reaching Lima via Panama or Cartagena.
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Realized: $210
Lot
1513
1795 (Sep. 18) New York N.Y. to Valencia, Spain via Havana and Cadiz, folded letter with red "ISLAS DE / BARLOVENTO" two-line handstamp (type 3, 1.4x4.6cm, 1795-1836), large red "6Rs" silver Reals handstamp for up to ¼ ounce; some edge wear, Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
ONE OF 11 RECORDED LETTERS CARRIED ON THIS ROUTE, THIS BEING THE EARLIEST RECORDED OF TYPE 3.
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Realized: $350