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Costa Rica Stamps and Postal History

STAMPLESS COVERS
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
1 c Punta-Arenas spectacular illustrated handstamp (PUN-Pmk1) showing a detailed full sail brigantine on the ocean, with Punta-Arenas in negative type below, a marvelous complete and bold strike on a November 13, 1848 folded letter to San Jose, l"Punta-Arenas" spectacular illustrated handstamp (PUN-Pmk1) showing a detailed full sail brigantine on the ocean, with "Punta-Arenas" in negative type below, a marvelous complete and bold strike on a November 13, 1848 folded letter to San Jose, light vertical file fold just catching the left edge of the handstamp, couple of trivial insect holes filled in on the front panel, overall very fine and simply gorgeous; an immensely rare and desirable stampless marking of which only five are recorded, two of which are found in the Mayer collection (see next lot). (Image) Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
2 c Punta-Arenas spectacular illustrated handstamp, (PUN-Pmk1) another stunning example showing a full sail brigantine on the ocean, with Punta-Arenas in negative type below, this example displaying incredibly fine detail within a choice complete"Punta-Arenas" spectacular illustrated handstamp, (PUN-Pmk1) another stunning example showing a full sail brigantine on the ocean, with "Punta-Arenas" in negative type below, this example displaying incredibly fine detail within a choice complete strike on a November 18, 1848 folded letter to San Jose from the same correspondence as the previous cover, letter with neatly repaired tear at top left just into the address panel, otherwise very fine; certainly one of the most eye-arresting ship related stampless cover markings from any country; one of only five recorded. (Image) Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $3,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
3 c Punta De Arenas octagonal boxed handstamp (PUN-Pmk2), a single strike on each of four 1849-59 folded letters all addressed to San Jose, each folded letter showing a different rate numeral handstamp which were uniquely applied in Puntarenas, cir"Punta De Arenas" octagonal boxed handstamp (PUN-Pmk2), a single strike on each of four 1849-59 folded letters all addressed to San Jose, each folded letter showing a different rate numeral handstamp which were uniquely applied in Puntarenas, circa 1849 cover with most unusual box "1/4 o(unce)" rate handstamp (PUN-Aux2), 1858 cover with bold "1" rate handstamp (PUN-Aux3), 1854 cover with bold "2" rate handstamp (PUN-Aux4) and an 1859 cover with equally bold "5 1/2" rate handstamp (PUN-Aux 5), usual mild file folds, the cover with the "1/4 o" handstamp with minor age spots, very fine; the "1/4 o", "2" and "5 1/2" rate handstamps are the only recorded examples; a wonderful quartet of covers perfect for exhibition. (Image) Est. $750-1,000

SOLD for $1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
4 c Punta De Arenas octagonal boxed handstamp (PUN-Pmk2) on wonderful March 15, 1851 folded letter to San Francisco, California, sent via the mail agent in Greytown (San Juan de Nicaragua) where all international mail was handled, and placed on the"Punta De Arenas" octagonal boxed handstamp (PUN-Pmk2) on wonderful March 15, 1851 folded letter to San Francisco, California, sent via the mail agent in Greytown (San Juan de Nicaragua) where all international mail was handled, and placed on the RMSP steamer Clyde bound for Chagres, upon arrival there it was carried across the Isthmus of Panama and delivered to forwarding agents, with neat complete strike of oval "Forwarded by/Smith & Lewis/Panama" handstamp on reverse, at its final destination of San Francisco a red "30" due rate handstamp was applied, very fine; a very scarce and desirable pre-stamp cover to California. (Image) Est. $300-400

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction
5 c S Cruz (Santa Cruz) Libre D O P N extraordinary illustrated handstamped cachet, showing a Phrygian hat in the center (SC-Pub1), wonderfully struck on a June 14, 1825 largely complete folded letter from Santa Cruz to Nicoya, the contents relay a"S Cruz (Santa Cruz) Libre D O P N" extraordinary illustrated handstamped cachet, showing a Phrygian hat in the center (SC-Pub1), wonderfully struck on a June 14, 1825 largely complete folded letter from Santa Cruz to Nicoya, the contents relay an invitation to a June 26th Corpus Christi celebration there and is signed by Jose Gabriel Rios, the Political Chief of Santa Cruz, sent during an interim time period before Nicoya officially left Nicaragua to join Costa Rica, the strike of the cachet is excellent and the folded letter is remarkably well preserved considering its age, this being the earliest reported postal artifact from Santa Cruz in the Mayer collection; also accompanied by an additional folded letter from the same correspondence dated April 3, 1825, but with no postal markings or cachet. (Image) Est. $750-1,000

SOLD for $1,450.00
Will close during Public Auction
6 c San Juan De Nicaraguaforwarded by A.L. Beschor & Co. double oval handstamp, two folded entires each from San Jose to Washington, D.C. sent via Greytown, where all international mail was sent through a mail agent, each bearing the scarce forwar"San Juan De Nicaragua/forwarded by A.L. Beschor & Co." double oval handstamp, two folded entires each from San Jose to Washington, D.C. sent via Greytown, where all international mail was sent through a mail agent, each bearing the scarce forwarding agent's cachet, one being a single rate letter dated December 7, 1851 and with "STEAMSHIP/10" handstamp applied upon arrival in New York, another being a double rate letter dated August 9, 1851 and with "STEAMSHIP 20" applied, the single rate letter with trivial ink erosion in address, very fine pair. (Image) Est. $300-400

SOLD for $725.00
Will close during Public Auction
7 c Large crowned circle Royal Agricultural Society EnglandJul 5, 1850 handstamp on larger court cover addressed to His Excellency The Costa Rica Minister in Hyde Park, London, manuscript Paid 2, red wax seal on reverse, very fine a most unusLarge crowned circle "Royal Agricultural Society England/Jul 5, 1850" handstamp on larger court cover addressed to "His Excellency The Costa Rica Minister" in Hyde Park, London, manuscript "Paid 2", red wax seal on reverse, very fine; a most unusual and striking "crowned circle" cover with an important Costa Rican connection. (Image) Est. $300-400

SOLD for $190.00
Will close during Public Auction
STAMPLESS COVER COLLECTIONS
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
8 c 1797-1864 Colonial, State and Republic of Costa Rica pre-stamp postal history massive collection of over 600 items, the vast majority being folded letters or entires, although about 10% - 20% of the items are either cover fronts or documents, thi1797-1864 Colonial, State and Republic of Costa Rica pre-stamp postal history massive collection of over 600 items, the vast majority being folded letters or entires, although about 10% - 20% of the items are either cover fronts or documents, this absolutely amazing assemblage is a fascinating and comprehensive documentation of the postal markings (a small number are manuscript) of the various post offices that existed from the Colonial period until stamps were issued in 1863, the vast majority are internal usages, but we do note a few marvelous international destinations as well, essentially every known pre-stamp postal marking is included in this lot (only a very few have been lotted individually in the auction), ranging from early Colonial period markings, to elaborate and fancy markings from obscure towns, every town listed in the Frajola/Mayer handbook is represented here: Alajuela, Bagaces, Cartago, Esparta, Grecia, Guanacaste, Heredia, Liberia, Moin, Nicoya, Puntarenas, San Jose, Villa Nueva and Villa Vieja, many similar markings are found, but in several instances they were collected as they are the first and/or latest known usages, an impressive number of markings are unique or nearly so, we even note some official mail handstamp markings as well; there is far too much material to individually enumerate here, suffice it to say that this represents the largest single assemblage of the pre-stamp covers of Costa Rica ever formed and will never again be duplicated; examination is essential to fully appreciate the rarity and beauty of this breathtaking collection. (imagea) (imageb) (imagec) (Image) Est. $20,000-30,000

SOLD for $50,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
9 c 1830-1874 Official and Administrative stampless letters and documents, a most remarkable assemblage of 65 items, largely folded letters, along with a few documents, all bearing an amazing range of special administrative cachets of various civil,1830-1874 Official and Administrative stampless letters and documents, a most remarkable assemblage of 65 items, largely folded letters, along with a few documents, all bearing an amazing range of special administrative cachets of various civil, ecclesiastical, military and treasury departments, all applied to official mail indicating that it could be sent free, originating from a wide variety of towns and all appear to be internal usages, many of the cachets are quite striking and elaborate, some are in negative type, many having been illustrated in the Frajola/Mayer handbook and others are noted as being the only recorded examples, some with small flaws, large majority are fine-very fine or better; a collection that would be impossible to duplicate. (imagea) (imageb) (imagec) (Image) Est. $3,000-4,000

SOLD for $7,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
10 c 1848-1861 Pre-Adhesive period international mail routes, a desirable and rather substantial collection of 36 folded letters and entires originating from Costa Rica and sent to international destinations, including Cuba, England, France, Germany (1848-1861 Pre-Adhesive period international mail routes, a desirable and rather substantial collection of 36 folded letters and entires originating from Costa Rica and sent to international destinations, including Cuba, England, France, Germany (Prussia), and the United States (New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.), as was typical, virtually all were sent via mail agents in either Greytown or Puntarenas, marvelous originating, rate, forwarding agent, steamship and arrival markings abound, a couple of the covers are incoming covers handled by the same mail agents, the vast majority of the covers are well annotated, some with minor cover flaws associated with this period, but most are very fine and quite exhibitable. (Image) Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $10,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
VIA BRITISH POST OFFICES
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
11 c Paid at Panama red Crowned Circle (S.G. CC1), excellent strike on folded letter datelined Punta Arenas, Mayo 13, 1849 and sent to Lima, Peru, PanamaJu 28, 1849 double circle c.d.s. over letterjoin on reverse, very fine an especially choi"Paid at Panama" red Crowned Circle (S.G. #CC1), excellent strike on folded letter datelined "Punta Arenas, Mayo 13, 1849" and sent to Lima, Peru, "Panama/Ju 28, 1849" double circle c.d.s. over letterjoin on reverse, very fine; an especially choice example of this scarce marking, particularly desirable having originated in Costa Rica. (Image) Est. $750-1,000

SOLD for $1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
12 c Paid at Panama red Crowned Circle (S.G. CC1), nearly complete strike on folded letter datelined San Jose, Mayo 15, 1849 and sent to Lima, Peru, PanamaMy 2(?), 1849 double circle c.d.s. over letterjoin on reverse, neat manuscript 1- rat"Paid at Panama" red Crowned Circle (S.G. #CC1), nearly complete strike on folded letter datelined "San Jose, Mayo 15, 1849" and sent to Lima, Peru, "Panama/My 2(?), 1849" double circle c.d.s. over letterjoin on reverse, neat manuscript "1/-" rate, very fine; another scarce and desirable usage originating from Costa Rica. (Image) Est. $750-1,000

SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction
13 c Great Britain 54, 1867 1- Green, plate 4, right wing-margin horizontal strip of three tied to 1869 folded entire from Valparaiso, Chile to San Jose, Costa Rica, addressed to the Minister of Affairs, the strip paying the triple rate for carrGreat Britain #54, 1867 1/- Green, plate 4, right wing-margin horizontal strip of three tied to 1869 folded entire from Valparaiso, Chile to San Jose, Costa Rica, addressed to the Minister of Affairs, the strip paying the triple rate for carriage via the British post office in Valparaiso and then through Panama, bit indistinct split-ring Valparaiso c.d.s. on reverse dated January 9, 1869, the strip cancelled with an error date of January 30 (instead of January 10) and the cover then placed on a Pacific Steam Navigation company steamer heading north to Panama, there it received a "A Panama/Ja 20/69" transit c.d.s., and then sent onward, via Puntarenas, to San Jose, very light vertical file fold passes through right stamp in strip, overall a very fine and handsome cover. (Image) Est. $500-750

SOLD for $1,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
14 c Spectacular 1872-73 three country combination usage folded letter, originating in Manchester, England, to San Jose (San Juan) Porto Rico, missent in error to San Jose, Costa Rica, then finally sent on to Porto Rico as originally intended.This amaSpectacular 1872-73 three country combination usage folded letter, originating in Manchester, England, to San Jose (San Juan) Porto Rico, missent in error to San Jose, Costa Rica, then finally sent on to Porto Rico as originally intended.This amazing cover, along with a second companion cover, is well documented and detailed in the new Frajola/Mayer handbook The Postal History of Costa Rica to 1883, from which we quote: This letter was posted from Manchester, England, on November 30, 1872, correctly prepaid with a British one shilling stamp (plate 6). But in England, the address was misread as Costa Rica rather than Porto Rico - there was no San Jose in Porto Rico - and the letter was bagged with the mail to Colon. It was carried on the Royal Mail steamship Nile, which departed Southampton on December 2 and arrived in Colon on December 25, 1872.Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, the mistake was noted and the letter held by the postmaster. He applied his "Admon Gral De Correos De Costa Rica/San Jose" (Post Office Department of Costa Rica) two-line datestamp of January 10, 1873, and corrected the delay in manuscript to "14" to note receipt and that he was sending his request to the addressee to supply the required forwarding postage. He then sent the second cover (which accompanies), which evidently enclosed a printed circular requesting payment for additional postage, to the original addressee in Porto Rico. The postmaster endorsed this cover with his Public Service, notice of missent letter message at the top and postmarked it with his two-line datestamp - exactly as on the other cover. Then, prepaying the printed matter rate, he franked the cover with two copies of Great Britain One Penny stamps, plate 149, which were cancelled in transit at Panama with barred "C35" cancels and postmarked on February 5, 1873. After carriage by rail across the isthmus to Colon, the cover was transferred to the Royal Mail steamship Elbe, which departed the same day and arrived at St. Thomas on February 13, 1873. It was then sent by Royal Mail steamship Mercy from St. Thomas to Porto Rico. Upon arrival in Porto Rico it was rated "1" real due with their handstamp struck twice.After the Costa Rica postmaster received the postage requested, he forwarded the original cover along to Porto Rico, via Panama and Colon, with an additional four pence British stamp, plate 13, prepaying the letter rate of four pence between West Indian countries. The stamp was postmarked at Colon on April 5, 1873, and cancelled with a barred "E88" cancel. From Colon the letter was carried on the steamship Tasmanian to St. Thomas, where it arrived on April 13 and was backstamped the same day. Amazingly, the letter was returned in error from St. Thomas to Colon. It received an additional St. Thomas backstamp and was transmitted on the Royal Mail steamship Moselle leaving for Colon the next day. There the mistake was spotted and the letter, now bearing a Colon April 23 postmark, was sent back again on the Moselle's return trip, which departed May 7 and arrived at St. Thomas on May 13, 1873. It was postmarked again at St. Thomas with the following day's date and was correctly carried to Porto Rico on the Royal Mail steamship Eider, which departed St. Thomas on May 17 and arrived in Porto Rico on May 18, 1873. A Spanish West Indies (Cuba) 25 centavos stamp of 1873 was applied upon arrival and tied by a maltese-cross cancel with a "1" real handstamp, equal to 25 centavos, struck above indicating postage due to recipient.An extraordinary pair of covers, perfect for exhibition, documenting mail-handling procedures applied to missent and poorly addressed letters. That both still exist, now reunited, is simply remarkable. (imagea) (Image) Est. $7,500-10,000

SOLD for $10,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
15 c Great Britain 64a, 1873 1- Deep green, plate 9, fine single tied to rare 1874 folded letter originating in San Juan, Costa Rica, and sent via the British mails in Colon, Colombia to London, first carried outside of the mails Via Limon (maGreat Britain #64a, 1873 1/- Deep green, plate 9, fine single tied to rare 1874 folded letter originating in San Juan, Costa Rica, and sent via the British mails in Colon, Colombia to London, first carried outside of the mails "Via Limon" (manuscript endorsement) to Colon, where the Great Britain stamp was cancelled by barred "E88" cancel and with matching clear "A Colon/Oc 19/74" c.d.s. just to left, superb strike of London Paid arrival c.d.s. at left, two usual vertical file folds, a very fine and choice cover. (Image) Est. $500-750

SOLD for $1,450.00
Will close during Public Auction
FRANCE INBOUND MAIL
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
16 c 1857-1902 France inbound to Costa Rica postal history collection, a lovely and scarce group of fifteen covers, showing an interesting range of usages to San Jose, Costa Rica, all marvelously franked with a variety of issues ranging from the imper1857-1902 France inbound to Costa Rica postal history collection, a lovely and scarce group of fifteen covers, showing an interesting range of usages to San Jose, Costa Rica, all marvelously franked with a variety of issues ranging from the imperforate Napoleons to the 1870's Ceres issues, plus a a few later Sage issues of the 1880's, even a couple of unusual later frankings including French postage dues, most were sent via British steamer via Southampton and Panama, of particular note are several covers with three color Ceres issue frankings of the 1870's to Costa Rica that are not only rare but are especially eye-appealing, couple of the earliest covers with small faults, most quite attractive, fine-very fine; a marvelous lot of elusive and desirable inbound covers. (imagea) (imageb) (Image) Est. $2,000-3,000

SOLD for $5,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
GREAT BRITAIN INBOUND MAIL
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
17 c 1865-77 Great Britain inbound postal history to Costa Rica, a desirable group of 23 folded entires or letters all sent from Great Britain - primarily from the cities of London or Manchester - to San Jose in Costa Rica, showing a nice variety of r1865-77 Great Britain inbound postal history to Costa Rica, a desirable group of 23 folded entires or letters all sent from Great Britain - primarily from the cities of London or Manchester - to San Jose in Costa Rica, showing a nice variety of rates and frankings based upon the one shilling packet rate that was in effect during this time period, many are franked with the 1873 1/- Green (plates 10-13) either with singles or pairs depending on the weight, plus six are franked with the scarce 1867 2/- Blue value including one with a pair representing a quadruple rate franking, a few other covers have more unusual combination frankings to make up the rate, most covers with usual unobtrusive file folds (a few of which pass through the frankings), overall fine-very fine. (imagea) (Image) Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $5,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
GUATEMALA AND NICARAGUA INBOUND
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
18 pc 1820s-1860 Guatemala and Nicaragua inbound stampless postal history collection, a scarce assemblage of inbound mail consisting of 10 full entires and 21 cover fronts (as many stampless are found from this area) originating in Guatemala or Nicara1820's-1860 Guatemala and Nicaragua inbound stampless postal history collection, a scarce assemblage of inbound mail consisting of 10 full entires and 21 cover fronts (as many stampless are found from this area) originating in Guatemala or Nicaragua, most with handstamped markings including straightline "Guatemala" both with and without frame, several with fancy crowned "Dirn. Gral./Del Tabaco/De Guatem." handstamps, about one third of the pieces are from Nicaragua and these are largely with "Leon" boxed postmarks, usual cover flaws from this era, overall fine-very fine. (imagea) (imageb) (Image) Est. $400-500

SOLD for $2,200.00
Will close during Public Auction
WORLDWIDE INBOUND COLLECTION
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
19 c Exceptional worldwide inbound mail to Costa Rica collection of approximately 150 covers sent from countries all over the globe, largely during the late 19th century through World War II, although we note a handful of earlier covers which are largExceptional worldwide inbound mail to Costa Rica collection of approximately 150 covers sent from countries all over the globe, largely during the late 19th century through World War II, although we note a handful of earlier covers which are largely stampless, an impressive range of countries, frankings and usages are present, some of the more interesting countries of origin include Barbados, British Solomon Islands, Cape Verde, China, Hong Kong, Kenya, Palestine, Russia and Thailand just to name a few, usages include a nice range of Zeppelin mail postings addressed to Costa Rica, there are elusive used pieces of postal stationery to Costa Rica from uncommon countries such as French Indochina and Thailand, all were acquired by Mr. Mayer over a lifetime and many cost $25.00 to $650.00 or more - and many were purchased years ago, condition generally is fine-very fine, with a number of wonderful, almost irreplaceable, covers present; examination essential. (imagea) (imageb) (Image) Est. $3,000-4,000

SOLD for $8,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
1863 COAT OF ARMS FIRST ISSUE ESSAYS AND PROOFS
Lot Symbol CatNo. Lot Description CV or Estimate
20 E Costa Rican Coat of Arms large wash pen and ink drawing on heavy card measuring 175x245mm, prepared by the American Bank Note Company as the model for the central vignette featured on the 1863 First Issues, manuscript American Bank Note Co.NewCosta Rican Coat of Arms large wash pen and ink drawing on heavy card measuring 175x245mm, prepared by the American Bank Note Company as the model for the central vignette featured on the 1863 First Issues, manuscript "American Bank Note Co./New York/Arms of Costa Rica" on reverse, very fine and incredibly handsome; certainly unique. (Image) Est. $750-1,000

SOLD for $5,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

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