Spink Shreves Galleries Sale

To see new sales and other StampAuctionNetwork news in your Facebook newsfeed then Like us on Facebook!

StampAuctionNetwork Extended Features

Costa Rica Stamps and Postal History continued...

1863 COAT OF ARMS FIRST ISSUE STAMPS continued...

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

#3, 1863 4r Green, a rare mint multiple of 98 stamps, missing only two stamps at the bottom left to be a complete sheet, with full sheet selvage all around and showing several "American Bank Note Co. New-York" imprints, including two full imprints and a partial third which appear in the bottom row not in the sheet selvage but incorporated into the bottom margins of the stamps, with position 8 displaying the pronounced major double transfer in the lettering within the "Correos De Costa Rica" tablet, o.g., several stamps n.h., a number of hinged reinforced separated perforations, overall quite fresh and fine; the second largest recorded multiple, see next lot for the only recorded complete sheet.

Est. $400-500

SOLD for $625.00
Will close during Public Auction

#3, 1863 4r Green, an impressive complete mint sheet of 100, with full sheet selvages all around and showing several "American Bank Note Co. New-York" imprints, including three which appear in the top row not in the sheet selvage but incorporated into the top margins of the stamps, with position 8 displaying the pronounced major double transfer in the lettering within the "Correos De Costa Rica" tablet, unused, without gum (probably removed to preserve the condition of the sheet), some small flaws and some separated perforations in a couple of rows, fine; the only recorded sheet of this value. (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $5,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

#4, 1863 1P Orange, a striking mint block of fifty (10x5) being the top half of the sheet, being one of the largest remaining intact multiples of this scarce high value, showing "American Bank Note Co. New-York" imprints on three sides, bright fresh color, variable centering, o.g., many stamps n.h., few minor and sensible h.r. reinforcements in the selvage, fine (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $2,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

#4, 1863 1P Orange, an extraordinary complete mint sheet of 100, believed to be the only sheet of this key value in existence, with full sheet selvage all around (one small bit of selvage missing) and showing multiple "American Bank Note Co. New-York" imprints, quite fresh, bright color, o.g., a large number of stamps n.h., there are several areas of perf. separations that for the most part have been sensibly hinge reinforced, fine; only 35,000 copies of the "Un Peso" value were printed and sold, it is most remarkable that a high value stamp sheet issued 145 years ago still remains intact. (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

SOLD for $8,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1863 COAT OF ARMS FIRST ISSUE STAMP COLLECTIONS

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

TCP

1-4

#1-4, 1863 1/2r-1P First Issue, the exceptional mounted exhibition collection on fourteen pages, containing a wealth of wonderful items, including not only the issued stamps and their related varieties, but there is a marvelous representation of plate proof singles and multiples of all the values (including some with "SPECIMEN" overprints), of particular note is the finest and most comprehensive range of lithographed trial color proofs of the 2r value ever in a single collection, including 18 imperforate and 15 perforated samples, plus five perforated samples on colored papers (with matching manuscript markings), issued stamps include two blocks of six of the 1/2r showing a major plate crack in positions 1 and 11, a top left corner sheet-margin block of fifteen with inverted ABNC imprint at top, no less than 11 vertical pairs of the 1/2r that are imperforate horizontally (these catalog $1,500.00 each) including three blocks of four, other issued stamps include a mint single of the 4r with a major double transfer, and a lovely mint block of ten of the scarce 1P, only a few small faults noted, overall fine-very fine; a perfect and valuable start to an award-winning collection of the First Issues.

Est. $4,000-5,000

SOLD for $20,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1-4

#1-4, 1863 1/2r-1P First Issue, nicely annotated mounted collection on pages, including several desirable and scarce items, within the collection is a small but nice selection of proofs and trial color proofs, most impressive are complete plate proof sheets of 100 each of the 4r and 1P values, mint multiples abound with several showing plate flaws and varieties, with several 1/2r multiples displaying various states of the major plate crack that developed over time, full sheets are present of the 1/2r (a total of four of these in various shades) and a single sheet of the 2r, the most valuable multiple is a striking bottom left corner sheet-margin mint block of 25 of the scarce 1P high value, quite likely the third largest recorded multiple, only a few small faults noted, largely fine-very fine.

Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $8,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1-4

#1-4, 1863 1/2r-1P First Issue collection/accumulation on album pages and stockpages, a few thousand items, largely being the issued stamps in mint and used singles and a large number of various multiples, we note a nice selection of imprint singles and multiples, varieties both minor and major including several impressive blocks of the 1/2r showing the major plate crack, even some items with unusual freak perforations, there is also a small representation of proofs including nine of the scarce 2r trial color proofs, condition varies, but largely fine-very fine; a useful group to the specialist that must be examined to be fully appreciated.

Est. $750-1,000

SOLD for $6,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1-4

#1-4, 1863 1/2r-1P First Issue huge cancellation study collection of over 4,400 stamps housed in three large binders, including an extraordinary 400 copies of the elusive 1P value (which catalog $40.00 each), all collected for their various cancellations, many mounted and neatly arranged by town, date and type, while others are on stockpages, we note a plethora of cancellations ranging from mute types, to fancy and straight line postmarks, there are even a number of used plate varieties including the 1/2r cracked plate and the 4r major double transfer; cancellation studies this massive are almost impossible to accumulate today given that the used First Issue stamps are much more elusive than their mint counterparts, condition a bit mixed as to be expected, but the vast majority are fine-very fine; the perfect basis for an incomparable cancellation collection or exhibit.

Est. $3,000-4,000

SOLD for $15,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1-4

#1-4, 1863 1/2r-1P First Issue sizable unsorted accumulation in a small box, containing thousands of items ranging from proofs to complete sheets, literally almost anything could be in this lot, from mounted well annotated pages to loose items, there is a significant representation of proof material including over 75 of the 2r trial color proofs both imperforate and perforated, we even note a full plate proof sheet of 100 of the 4r value, there are large numbers of various sized multiples showing interesting imprint or plate varieties, including dozens of the 1/2r and 2r complete sheets, mixed condition; examination absolutely essential to fully appreciate the overall value and contents of this accumulation.

Est. $2,000-3,000

SOLD for $13,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1863 COAT OF ARMS FIRST ISSUE DOMESTIC COVERS

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, centered a bit to bottom, tied to a folded letter by largely complete boxed "Cartago" postmark of the style used in the pre-stamp era (CAR-Pmk5a), sent to San Jose, contents of letter datelined April 21, 1863 represents not only the earliest reported interior usage of a Costa Rica adhesive stamp, but it is also the earliest dated usage of any Costa Rican stamp, as such this is one of the most important of all the first issue covers found in the Mayer collection, entire quite clean, overall very fine. (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $17,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, handsome single with strong color and impression, used on an especially clean folded entire with printed contents datelined "Paris, Enero 1 de 1873", addressed to San Jose, cancellation on stamp is an unusual oval of dots typically having been used on printed matter and parcel post letters, more than likely this cover was carried under cover into Costa Rica where it was placed in the mail with a carrier on his way to San Jose, where it was then presumably cancelled, a very fine and eye-appealing cover; the only recorded example of this cancellation on cover; 1998 Giana Wayman certificate. (Image)

Est. $300-400

SOLD for $950.00
Will close during Public Auction

#3, 1863 4r Green, single tied to very rare registered cover from Alajuela to San Jose by barred numeral cancel (ALA-Can1), post office administrative boxed cachet "Recept/de/Alajuela" at bottom left, with manuscript endorsements by Postmaster Ruiz indicating the cover was sent certified and dated December 24, 1864, one small insect hole not affecting any markings or stamp, some slight soiling, fine; a most important first issue cover, being the earliest reported use of the 4r stamp and the only use of the stamp during the "reales" currency period. (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $32,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, quite well centered single tied to folded letter dated July 24, 1869 from Alajuela to Vuelta (Jorco) by unusual light strike of boxed "Administn./Gral D Corres/D Costa Rica" administrative cachet (ALA-Aux4), strike bit blurred, light file fold just barely affects adhesive, fine and quite scarce. (Image)

Est. $400-500

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, nicely centered example from Plate 2, tied to a Miller correspondence cover to San Jose by gorgeous "Alajuela/Costa Rica" fancy star circular postmark, also bearing a double circle "Alajuela/Enero/21 79/Costa Rica" cancel at bottom center, some stray and inconsequential light tone specks not at all detracting from the overall beauty and rarity of this cover, very fine. (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $4,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, single from Plate 2, centered to top, tied to large part of an undated folded entire to San Jose by an excellent strike of "Atenas" oval (ATE-Pmk1), central file fold and some overall cover wear, fine; one of only two recorded first issue covers from Atenas, and the only interior usage. (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $1,050.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, horizontal pair, centered to bottom, paying the double rate on a larger June 30, 1863 folded entire from Cartago to San Jose, bold oval "Cartago" pre-stamp era postmark (CAR-Pmk5a) cancels the stamps directly in the center of the pair, entire quite clean and fresh, very fine. (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $11,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, fine single, spectacularly tied to a November 24, 1871 folded letter from Esparta to San Jose by bold boxed "Esparza" postmark (ESP-Pmk1) which was typically used in the stampless period, very faint edge toning around stamp and small bit reverse of folded letter removed, otherwise most attractive and very fine; not only is this the sole interior usage from Esparta known bearing stamps, but it also one of the most striking Medio Real covers extant. (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

SOLD for $11,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, single from Plate 2 (small perf. flaws), tied to folded entire to San Jose by "Grecia" oval postmark (GRE-Pmk2), matching double circle "Grecia/Mayo/8 78/Costa Rica" postmark at left, entire fairly clean, fine; one of only three first issue covers recorded from Grecia, two interior and one exterior usage. (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction

#1, 1863 1/2r Blue, single centered to bottom right and with deep rich color, tied to small undated folded letter to San Jose by most unusual "Correos De Heredia" straight line marking (HER-Aux2), this cancel is probably a marking intended to be placed on facing slips or way bills that accompanied mail pouches, very fine; the only recorded cover bearing this cancel, and one of only three first issue covers from Heredia. (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1, 2

#1, 2, 1863 1/2r Blue and 2r Scarlet, attractively centered singles of each, tied to an especially handsome and desirable folded letter from Puntarenas to San Jose by barred numeral cancel, letter which is datelined July 5, 1841 is from the well known Millet correspondence, and the contents mention an enclosure of a packet of seeds, this accounts for the additional postage, the combination of these two stamps is extremely rare, used to pay the 30 centavos rate for a twelve-ounce packet, as such it is the highest reported postage on an interior cover that was not registered, couple of small facial mends at bottom left, very fine. (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $16,000.00
Will close during Public Auction