Lot
1524 
Cuba, 1829 (Sep. 30) Havana, Cuba to Madrid, Spain, datelined folded letter with complete strike of large "HAVANA" straightline (1796-1830) sent on unknown merchant vessel to Madrid, red "M, D. 1828" arrival backstamp and large "13.R" Read de vélon for 12-13 adarmes; edge faults, Fine and scarce large type. Estimate $200 - 300.
To settle the charges correctly for the major ports, town postmarks were introduced at the end of the 17th century.
Lot
1525
Cuba, 1830 (May 8) Havana, Cuba to Cadiz, Spain, datelined folded letter with blue "Galicia, Coruna" oval handstamp and red "13" Reales de vélon due handstamp (1807 tariff) for up to 14 adarmes, fresh and Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
The "Real de vélon" was not a coin but a unit of money for accounting purposes. It had a constant value of 34 Maravedis or 8½ Cuartos. The addressee could pay the postage due with any coin he had. It just had to equalize 13 Reales de vélon as in the case here.
Lot
1526
Cuba, 1830, 1837 Havana to Spain, two folded letters, 1830 endorsed "Corres de la Empresa No. 1" to St. Sebastian with "Habana / Franco" oval handstamp (1828-36); and 1837 to Madrid endorsed "Correo de la Empresa" with fancy "Habana / Franco" oval handstamp (1837-40) paid marking, Very Fine pair. Estimate $150 - 200.
The "Habana / Franco" ovals were used by the Havana Post Office, not the Empresa Agents.
Realized: $120
Lot
1527
Cuba, 1832-1836 Incoming Empresa mail to Havana, Cuba, group of three with Empresa "E" oval handstamps indicating prepayment, comprising 1832 Villanueva, Spain with "46 / Cataluna" postmark, 1836 from New York with "NA" handstamp (1827-41) for "North America"; and 1835 Lyon, France with framed "P.P." handstamp and "NE" handstamp for "Norte Europe", F.-V.F. trio. Estimate $300 - 400.
From 1802 onwards, the mail service between Spain, Cuba and other countries remained irregular. Mail packets were sporadic and unreliable, and the service depended on Spain war vessels and merchant ships of opportunity. In 1824, Dr. Th. E. Woods proposed to the Spanish government that a company be created to transport mail, passengers and other goods between Havana, Puerto Rico, Tenerife and Cadiz. After considerable study, the "Empresa de Correos Maritimos" was created and a formal governing management of the company was published at Havana on April 23, 1827. Article 7 of the regulations required that all mail that all mail originating from Cuba must be prepaid.
Realized: $230
Lot
1528
Cuba, 1834, 1843 Cuba to Spain with "DE YNDIAS" Straightlines, two folded letters, 1834 from Havana via Santander to Madrid with orange "DE YNDIAS" straightline and red "5R" Reales de vélon due handstamp (tariff 1807) for up to 5 adarmes; and 1843 Trinidad de Cuba to Bilbao with bright red "DE YNDIAS" straightline, red "5Rs." reales de vélon due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes (1807 tariff), Bilbao (3.5.1844) arrival backstamp, Very Fine pair. Estimate $200 - 300.
There are two types of DE YNDIAS straightlines recorded, type A Santander (1824-1851) and type B Bilbao (1844-1848). They were used as arrival markings in Spain on covers from Havana or Puerto Rico.
Lot
1529
Cuba, 1836 (Jan. 25) Santiago de Cuba, Cuba to Barcelona, Spain via Santander, datelined folded letter with bold strike of "CUBA." straightline endorsed via "Santander", Extremely Fine and choice. Estimate $200 - 300.
Santiago de Cuba used a "CUBA" straightline with and without a period from 1796 to 1836.
Lot
1530
Cuba, 1839 (Oct. 15) London, England to Havana, Cuba, folded letter with London (10.15) backstamp and "T.P./Camden Town" postmark, red "G.P. / Paid" in circle handstamp and manuscript "P. 3/1" prepaid 3s1d rating, "E. / NE" in circle handstamp (Expresa / Norte Europe), some light aging, Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.