Lot
1514 
1796 (Oct. 7) Vera Cruz, Mexico to Barcelona, Spain via Havana, datelined folded letter with Havana red "Islas de / Barlovento" two-line handstamp (type 1: 1769-1811) applied in transit, manuscript "4" silver Reales due rating. Estimate $300 - 400.
The "Islas de / Barlovento" two-line marking, inaugurated under Spanish postal regulations on September 1, 1769, known as a receiving/transit and origin postmark, applied to indicate to the clerks the origin of the letter.
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Realized: $400
Lot
1515
Cuba, 1801-1835, Havana to Spain, four stampless covers, 1801 with red "Islas De / Barlovento" (type 3, 1801-1821) to Matano with ms. "4" silver Real due for up to ¼ oz., 1910 to Cadiz with red "Islas De / Barlovento" (type 2: 1786-1821) with large red "5R" handstamp for 5 "Reales de vélon" postage due for up to 5 adarmes; 1813 prepaid to Cadiz endorsed per "Corbeta Balamoza" with red "Islas De / Barlovento" (type 5: 1795-1855) handstamp; and 1835 to Madrid with Cadiz red "Islas De / Barlovento" (type 6, 1818-1846), F.-V.F. group. Estimate $400 - 600.
Lot
1516
Cuba, 1802, 1803 Cadiz - Havana, two folded letters, 1802 Cadiz to Havana with red "CADIZ" straightline and matching framed "3 Pta." due handstamp, carried as endorsed by Frigate "La Aspacia" to Havana; 1803 carried privately from Havana to Cadiz, entered mails with red "Cadiz" straightline and "1Pta." silver Real due handstamp for up to ¼ oz. from Cadiz to Tenerife, F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
1517
Cuba, 1802 (Feb. 15) Havana, Cuba to Pto. Orotava, Tenerife, datelined folded letter with "YNDIAS" straightline (Type B: 1766-1856) and manuscript "4" silver Real due rating for up to ¼ ounce (tariff 1764-1807), fresh and Extremely Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $100
Lot
1518
Cuba, 1819, 1830 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba to Spain and Canary Islands, two covers (one is a front), 1819 folded letter with red "CUBA" straightline without dot, via Cadiz with "Islas De Barlovento" and then disinfected in Mahon with fumigation slit, manuscript "5½" Real due rating for 5R postage plus ½R Catalina local fee for 5-6 adarmes; 1830 cover front to Palmas, Canary Islands with fancy "CUBA" oval handstamp and carried by a frigate of the "Armada Nacional" with "5R" Reales de vélon circular handstamp for up to 5 adarmes, F.-V.F. pair. Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
1519
Cuba, 1819 (Jun. 8) Brussels, Belgium to Havana, Cuba via Le Havre, folded letter carried privately to Mons and from there to Le Havre, where an agent paid "6" decimes for Mons to Le Havre, then by private ship to Havana where "NE" for Norte Europe and "4" silver Reales due handstamp; cover aging, Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER WITH "NE" AND DUE RATING HANDSTAMP.
After the loss of many colonies in the New World, Spain gradually loosened its old trade monopoly from the Royal Decree of Feb. 10th 1818. Cuba and Puerto Rico were allowed to participate directly in free trade. This meant an influx of mail from many nations into Cuba, and charges on incoming mail.
Lot
1520
Cuba, 1824 (Jun. 20) Havana, Cuba to Orotava, Tenerife, folded letter with "HAVANA" straightline (1824-29), endorsed "maritimo" via Mahon (Menorca) and "por Cadiz", red "A" struck in Cadiz indicating single letter only, manuscript "5 R" reales de vélon due rating for up to 5 adarmes, five separate slits in center and corners, disinfected by immersion in vinegar, Fine and scarce disinfected use. Estimate $150 - 200.
Lot
1521
Cuba, 1824, 1830 Havana, Cuba to Spain, two folded letters, 1824 to Cadiz endorsed per "Galero Hama" with red "YNDIAS" straightline and large red "5R" reales de vélon due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes, five separate slits in center and corners, disinfected by immersion in vinegar; 1830 to Madrid endorsed per "Montanes", red "DE YNDIAS" straightline struck in Santander, red "5.R" reales de vélon due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes, two separate slits and disinfected by just a sprinkling of vinegar, F.-V.F. pair. Estimate $300 - 400.
A wave of cholera plague swept across Europe in the twenties and thirties. Sanitation was primitive in those days. In the case of mail, disinfection could be accomplished by immersing a letter in vinegar or by fumigation after having punctured a letter by making a slit or using a paddle with nails.
Lot
1522
Cuba, 1824 (Mar. 13) Vera Cruz, Mexico to Cadiz via Havana, datelined folded letter with red "NUEVA / ESPANA" two-line handstamp, red "7R" Reales de vélon due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes from Mexico, manuscript forwarder's endorsement on reverse, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
The "NUEVA / ESPANA" two-line handstamp was used in the colonies to indicate their origin when arriving in Spain in order to allot proper charges. This mark was used in Vera Cruz, Buenos Aires and is also known for Cadiz from 1815 to 1824. Only a few strikes are recorded.
Lot
1523
Cuba, 1828-1843 Havana, Cuba to Spain and Mexico, group of 3 with different "HAVANA" instructional handstamps, 1828 with "HAVANA" straightline (1824-29) to Madrid endorsed per "Fragata Casilda", black "11.R" Reales de vélons due rating for 10-11 adarmes; 1829 with "HAVANA" straightline (1829-1842) endorsed per "Amable Teresa" with red "9.R" Reales de vélon due handstamp for 8-9 adarmes, and 1843 Havana cds to Mexico via Vera Cruz with (4.14) framed handstamp, a Very Fine trio. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $150