Lot
2141 
Mexico, 1879, Foreign Mail 1st Issue (Juarez), 5c orange Habilitado, cons black 381 + red 2782, in combination with 1c brown Habilitado, cons black 3080 + red 2782, mute canceled, red oval "Mazatlan, Feb 19, 1883" date stamp (Schimmer Sin 28/9), red San Francisco receiver; 5c stamp is folded over onto back of cover, F.-V.F. and scarce. Scott No. 125+123 Estimate $500 - 750.
Excess Juarez stamps were withdrawn from the postal offices to which originally sent, then overprinted in red making them "Habilitado" for the new post office to receive them ("27" the number for Mazatlan). The habilitado system reflects the short budget for stamp printing, the shortage of stamps, and the imbalance of distribution. Although Mazatlan used a large number of stamps, not many are found on cover.
Realized: $550