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