Spink Shreves Galleries Sale

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Guadeloupe Postal History continued...

SMALL VILLAGE POSTAL HISTORY continued...

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

301

Fr. Colonies Yvert #42

French Colonies Yvert #42, 1879 20c Brick red on green, Ty. II, nice four-margined example in a single franking paying the domestic letter rate of 20c, tied to small cover from Terre de Haute by rare blue "Guadeloupe/Saintes T.D.H./23 Dec. 80" double-circle c.d.s. with additional well struck example at right, posted to Basse Terre then forwarded to the tiny village of Gourbeyre receiving a similar black Christmas day c.d.s. of Basse Terre additionally canceling the stamp and a strike at right, backflap missing and small cover tears at top not affecting the stamp or markings, otherwise very fine; an extremely rare forwarded cover from this tiny village of Terre de Haute in the Saintes Islands. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

302

Fr. Colonies Yvert #34

French Colonies Yvert #34, 1877 20c Lilac brown on buff, mostly clear to large margins, tied to small 1881 cover to Pointe-a-Pitre from Terre de Haute in the Saintes Islands, by rare black "Guadeloupe/Saintes (T.DE.H.)/12 Sept. 80" double-circle c.d.s. with parenthesis around the town designation, additional strike at left, Basse Terre transit and backstamped Pointe-a-Pitre, backflap missing and edge repair at top plus unobtrusive spindle hole, none of which affect the stamp or markings, a fine cover from these out-of-the-way islands and exceptionally rare with this postmark which was noted when offered in the Dubus sale as being one of only two examples known; ex-Dubus. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction

303

Fr. Colonies Yvert #3, 5

French Colonies Yvert #5, 1859 40c Vermilion vertical pair, exceptionally choice with large to extra-large margins, tied to an amazingly rare turned linen cover paying the quadruple 80c domestic rate on the first leg of this cover from Pointe-a-Pitre to Trois Rivieres, pair tied by black 8x8 point lozenge cancel, with matching "Pointe-a-Pitre/Guadeloupe/18 Sep 1864" rimless c.d.s. plus large red "P.P" boxed handstamp, immediately upon arrival the envelope was opened out and turned and re-posted back to Pointe-a-Pitre from the small village of Trois Rivieres, franked with a handsome 10c Bister horizontal strip of four (French Colonies Yvert #3), tied to the linen side of the cover by neat 7x7 point black lozenge cancels with full and exceptionally rare strike of "Trois-Rivieres/Guadeloupe/21 Sep 1864" rimless c.d.s., this franking paying the 40c double domestic rate, both sides are extraordinarily high quality and attractive; extremely fine; an amazing cover that is actually the listing example for the rare rimless Trois Rivieres postmark in the Dubus book, but more significant is that this is the only recorded turned cover of any of the French Colonies, and that each posting is a spectacular and rare Eagle usage just adds to the stunning affect of this cover; ex-Dubus. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $7,500-10,000

SOLD for $5,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

304

Fr. Colonies Yvert #3, 4,

French Colonies Yvert #3, 4, 5, 1859-65 10c Bister, 20c Blue and 40c Vermilion attractive four-margined singles of each in beautiful three-color franking on 1869 folded cover from the small village of Trois Rivieres to France, stamps tied by delicate black lozenge cancels, light strike of "Guadeloupe/Trois-Rivieres/20 Janv. 69" c.d.s. at left, Basse Terre transit on the reverse, carried at the premium 70c rate by British packet, red boxed "PD" handstamp and blue entry transit for the British packet, light vertical folds, one of which slightly affects the 10c value but not in any way detracting from this cover's extremely fine appearance; an exceptionally rare Eagle cover from this small town at the south end of Basse Terre. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $700.00
Will close during Public Auction

305

1868 Vieux Habitans unpaid stampless cover, fresh and attractive entire folded letter to France with beautiful strike of the exceptionally rare "Guadeloupe/Vieux Habitans/10 Dec. 68" double-circle c.d.s., "8" handstamp rate marking for 8 decimes due being the unpaid British packet rate, Basse Terre transit on the reverse, blue British packet entry transit on the front, backstamped Bordeaux, choice very fine; an extremely rare cover and nice usage from this tiny coastal village on the west side of Basse Terre; quite likely the earliest recorded cover from Vieux Habitans as Dubus does not record the use of this postmark until 1872; ex-Dubus. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

306

Fr. Colonies Yvert #3, 5

French Colonies Yvert #3, 5, 1859 10c Yellow bister and 40c Vermilion, attractive singles with clear to large margins and bright colors, tied to maritime cover on Line "B" of the French packet service by anchor in lozenge of dots black cancels, octagonal "Col. Fr./Paq. Fr. B No. 3/23 Mai 70" c.d.s., red "PD" boxed handstamp and backstamped Paris, attractive blue oval company cachet establishing Guadeloupe as the point of departure, light edge wrinkles to cover of no consequence, very fine; a rare usage that is often difficult to identify with a particular country; 2004 Alexander Roumet certificate. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,450.00
Will close during Public Auction

INSUFFICIENTLY PAID MAIL

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

307

Fr. Colonies Yvert #3, 5

French Colonies Yvert #3, 5, 1859 10c Yellow bister and 40c Vermilion, single of each, mostly large margins, 10c just in at top, tied to unusual and rare 1864 underpaid British packet cover to France from the small village of Trois Rivieres, stamps tied by both black lozenge cancel and a red boxed "Affranchissement/Insuffisant" handstamp, "Trois-Rivieres/Guadeloupe/10 Janv. 1864" rimless c.d.s., similar Basse Terre transit on the reverse, includes both red and black boxed "P.P" handstamps, bold "30" due marking at bottom right, black British packet entry transit on the front and several French transits on the reverse, backstamped Chambery, slight soiling to cover but in all other respects very fine and attractive; this letter was scheduled by the sender to go by British packet as indicated by his manuscript instructions but it was only franked at the reduced 50c French packet rate, thus it was handled as an unpaid cover at the 80c rate and credited with the 50c paid in stamps leaving 30c due; a most unusual cover and extraordinarily rare from the small town of Trois Rivieres; ex-Levett. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,800.00
Will close during Public Auction

308

Fr. Colonies Yvert #3, 5

French Colonies Yvert #3, 5, 1859 10c Yellow bister and 40c Vermilion, each a nice four-margined single, tied to 1860 British packet cover to London by both the black lozenge cancels and the "Basse-Terre/Guadeloupe/11 Mai 1860" rimless c.d.s., the 10c value is also tied by red boxed "Affranchissement/Insuffisant" handstamp, bold "6" handstamp for 6 decimes due and the originally applied red boxed "PD" handstamp crossed out, backstamped London, very fine; this is at the period where both French and British packets rates were 50c paid and 60c unpaid, this cover was evidently overweight, but unlike the previous cover where the letter was figured totally unpaid and credit given for the stamps, this was calculated as one letter rate paid and one letter rate unpaid, perhaps indicating a difference between the way foreign destinations were treated compared to those within the French community; a rare and interesting cover; ex-Levett. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction

309

Fr. Colonies Yvert #3, 4

French Colonies Yvert #3, 4, 1859-65 10c Yellow Bister and 20c Blue, attractive singles with mostly clear to large margins, tied to domestic cover of ca 1865 by "Guadeloupe/Pointe-a-Pitre/11 Avril", found to be overweight with red "Affranchissement/Insuffisant" boxed handstamp and large "30" due handstamp, backstamped Basse Terre, vertical cover fold and edge tears at bottom, none of which affect the stamps or markings, otherwise very fine; this double-rate letter required 40c postage and was short by 10c, but was considered unpaid requiring 60c, with the 30c credit for the stamps 30c was charged due, a rare postage due usage; ex-Levett. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $400-500

SOLD for $510.00
Will close during Public Auction

310

1869 Basse Terre unpaid official cover, interesting sending to France via French packet with black "Guadeloupe/Basse-Terre/9 Dec." double-circle c.d.s. without year date, Procureur General handstamp on front with manuscript endorsement as well as official cachet on reverse, applied apparently in an attempt to invoke government franchise for the sending, however this was not recognized by France and the normal 60c due for an unpaid British packet cover was charged, edge wear causing tears and spindle holes, backstamped Angers, fine and unusual usage. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $400-500

SOLD for $300.00
Will close during Public Auction

311

Fr. Colonies Yvert #3, 5

French Colonies Yvert #3, 5, 1859 10c Yellow bister and 40c Vermilion, each a fresh large-margined single with bright colors, tied to highly unusual 1870 insufficiently paid French packet cover by red 7x7 point lozenge cancel, matching "Guadeloupe/Basse-Terre/6 Janv. 70" double-circle c.d.s. also in red, a boxed "Affranchissement/insuffisant" handstamp in red that matches the other markings, plus a "7" rate handstamp struck in red but overstruck in black to indicate that this amount was to be collected, St. Nazaire entry transit and backstamped Bordeaux, light horizontal fold to cover slightly affecting the stamps and tiny piece removed from the address, neither of which materially affects the rarity of this cover which is otherwise very fine and attractive; this interesting cover was determined to be overweight and should have been franked at the double rate of 1Fr as indicated by the red crayon "2" in the top left corner, the letter was therefore treated at the unpaid double rate of 1Fr20c and with credit for the 50c paid in stamps left 70c to collect; of particular significance and rarity is that the Basse Terre post office in order to emphasize the insufficiently paid status of this letter applied all of its other postal markings in red as well, this is one of only two covers of Guadeloupe that are recorded where the obliteration and town markings are in red and possibly the only postage due cover processed this way. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

312

Fr. Colonies Yvert #23

French Colonies Yvert #23, 1872 25c Blue, Ty. I, horizontal pair, margins to just in at top and bottom, tied to 1875 underpaid folded cover to Martinique by black lozenge cancel, "Paq. Fr./Pointe-a-Pitre Guade/7 Avril 75" double-circle sorting c.d.s., backstamped Saint Pierre, very fine; the special rate to Martinique was 60c for 10 grams, this was confused by patrons and postal employees alike with the 50c French packet rate to France; this cover was determined to be double rate which then required 1Fr20c payment, black boxed "Affranchissement/Insuffisant" and "12" handstamps were applied for 12 decimes due, both were obliterated by lozenge cancels, the correct "7" handstamp was also obliterated and finally again 70c was marked to be collected, the proper accounting was 1Fr20c postage, credit for 50c paid and 70c due; a most unusual and rare postage due cover. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $575.00
Will close during Public Auction

313

Fr. Colonies Yvert #14, 1

French Colonies Yvert #14, 17, 1872-73 1c Olive green on pale blue and 5c Green on blue, single and horizontal pair of the former, all with clear to large margins, tied to 1879 entire folded letter to France by "Paq. Fr./Pointe-a-Pitre/9 Avril 79" double-circle sorting cancels, this franking was intended to pay the rare 8c printed matter rate instead of the 25c U.P.U. rate though the cover was not marked printed matter and the letter is obviously regular correspondence, the cover was marked due with "T" in triangle handstamp and "42c" due in red crayon assessed being double the proper 25c less 8c paid in stamps, backstamped Paris, a handsome cover with all markings clear, very fine; whether this was a clerical mistake by a company that regularly sent out printed matter or an attempt to save on postage cost is not known, but this is an interesting and highly unusual postage due cover of which the collector reported that this was one of the most remarkable due letters that he has seen. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

INBOUND POSTAGE DUE COVERS

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

314

S.G. #Z28

Great Britain #Z28, 1865 1/- Green, plate 4, used from St. Thomas, D.W.I., single tied to 1866 entire folded letter by bold "C51" in oval of bars cancel, "St. Thomas/NO 15 1866" double-arc c.d.s. on the reverse, posted to Pointe-a-Pitre with a Basse Terre transit on the reverse, on arrival bold "12" handstamp for 12 decimes due (1Fr20c), closed tear to cover at right not affecting stamp or markings, very fine; a most unusual inbound postage due cover, it is not clear why with the high amount paid at the British Agency in St. Thomas that so much postage due would be required on a posting from a relatively close Island, but this interesting and rare cover illustrates the complexities of mail carried throughout the Caribbean at this period; 2004 RPS certificate. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,400.00
Will close during Public Auction

315

S.G. #Z10

Great Britain #Z10, 1843 4p Vermilion, plate 14, used from St. Thomas, D.W.I., single tied to 1876 entire folded letter by nice strike of "St. Thomas/Paid/MY 26 76/C51" duplex, posted to Pointe-a-Pitre with a Basse Terre transit and Pointe-a-Pitre backstamp on the reverse, on arrival double-line "30" due handstamp was applied for the domestic Guadeloupe postage, very fine; a very rare use of the British Agency in St. Thomas to send a letter to Guadeloupe. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction

316

Fr. Colonies Yvert TT#6,

French Colonies Yvert TT#6, 9, 1884 10c Black and 30 Black horizontal strip of three postage dues, each with clear to mostly large margins, tied to 1893 unpaid inbound double-rate cover from Augsburg, Germany with "T" boxed due handstamp, stamps are tied by indistinct Basse Terre double-circle c.d.s. with similar strike of November 3, 1893 on the reverse, attempts to find the addressee failed and the cover was returned receiving a "Zuruck" boxed handstamp and blue due notations of double the 40pf rate or 80pf due with all the appropriate transit markings for its travels, an interesting and rare cover using the General French Colonies postage dues in Guadeloupe. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $400.00
Will close during Public Auction

GUADELOUPE POSTAGE DUE STAMPS ON COVER

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

317

Yvert TT#1, 2

Yvert TT#1, 2, 1876 25c Black bottom left corner margin strip of three and two 40c Black on blue first typeset postage dues, certainly one of the rarest and most spectacular postage due frankings possible, both of the phenomenally rare 40c values are from the top sheet margin, one being a top left corner margin example, the strip also has large to extra-large margins as well and all are fresh and attractive, a rare posting tied to a large 1877 legal papers wrapper from the small village of Lamentin on the northeast coast of Basse Terre, black "Guadeloupe/Lamentin/15 Dec. 77" double circle c.d.s. applied at posting, the stamps are all tied by four strikes of a similar "Guadeloupe/Pointe-a-Pitre/16 Dec. 77" double-circle c.d.s. on arrival with same used as a backstamp on the reverse, minor pinholes and wear to the cover corners of little relevance to this incredible cover which is otherwise very fine and all the rare stamps are very fine-extremely fine.The first typeset postage dues of Guadeloupe are one of that country's most fascinating issues. They were locally produced in Guadeloupe and they actually predate regular issues specifically issued for Guadeloupe with even the provisional overprints not being issued until 1884. Being typeset each position is different making the plating of interest to specialists. The 1876 25c and 40c values are far rarer than the later values and the 40c on blue paper is a world-class rarity being the result of only one sheet of twenty printed on blue paper in error. The amazing franking offered here is in the first rate period through 1877 and pays a 1Fr55c for a posting in the fifth weight class of between 100-150 grams figured at 75c for the first 50 grams and 40c for each additional 50 grams or part thereof. The use of a 40c value in the first rate period is of great rarity because it required a multiple rate cover that was at least at the fourth weight level before a 40c value could be used. Of the few covers known with the 40c Black on blue paper this cover is unique in the first rate period. A pair of the 4c Black on blue tied to piece from the Ferrary collection is the only other example of this stamp used in the first period on May 31, 1877. This marvelous cover has long held the status of being the most important postage due cover in worldwide philately. This is, without question, the premier piece of Edward Grabowski's Grand Prix International collection of Guadeloupe. The cover was illustrated on page 113 of the 1958 handbook La Guadeloupe by L.Dubus, A. Marchand and P.-L. Pannetier; signed several times by R. Calves and also signed by Behr and L. Miro; ex-Boker. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $50,000-75,000

SOLD for $90,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

318

Yvert TT#2

Yvert TT#2, 1876 40c Black on blue first typeset postage due, a choice single franking of this rarity with large balanced margins all around, tied to 1878 legal papers wrapper of the same correspondence as the previous cover from the tiny town of Lamentin, black "Guadeloupe/Lamentin/30 Janv. 78" double-circle c.d.s. applied at posting to Pointe-a-Pitre, stamp is tied by gorgeous strike of "Guadeloupe/Pointe-a-Pitre/30 Janv. 78" double-circle c.d.s. with a second strike on the reverse as a backstamp, bold "4" handstamp for 4 decimes due, exceptionally choice quality of both the stamp and wrapper, extremely fine.This wrapper was sent a month and a half after the previous large wrapper and the twenty copies of the 40c Black on blue paper had not yet been exhausted at Pointe-a-Pitre. What had changed was the rates for this class of mail. In 1878 Guadeloupe instituted a two tier system with different rates for postings within the same postal district and those from district to district. Lamentin was considered to be in a different district than Pointe-a-Pitre and the rate had been increased from 25c to 40c for the first weight class of up to 15 grams. This petite wrapper was charged the single rate of 40c under this new system.This phenomenally rare postage wrapper exhibits a sole single franking of the rare 40c Black on blue paper. Only in the second rate period can a single franking be properly used as the other single rates in first period and the same district single rate in the second period are both 25c or multiples of 25c up to 50 grams. There is one rate in the third period where a single 40c could be used but by December 1878 all the 40c Black on blue had been used up. Dubus in his 1958 handbook records only three such usages of this rare stamp in 1878, and the example offered here is much superior to the example he illustrates - if not the finest of the three. This lovely and important cover has been examined by a myriad of experts and is signed by R. Calves, P. Dillemann, Roumet, L. Miro and others. (imagea) (Image)

Est. $30,000-40,000

SOLD for $47,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

319

Yvert TT#3

Yvert TT#3, 1876 40c Black first typeset postage due, lovely right sheet-margin single with well clear to large margins on the other three sides as well, tied to 1878 entire folded legal notice to the small village of Lamentin from Pointe-a-Pitre, stamp tied on departure from Pointe-a-Pitre by black "Guadeloupe/Pointe-a-Pitre/22 Nov. 78" double-circle c.d.s., with similar full strike at right, backstamped Lamentin on November 24th, bold "4" handstamp for 4 decimes to be collected, very fine; the 40c was for the first weight level of 15 grams in the second rate period of 1878; a highly unusual and rare usage as nearly all the postage due usages of these early type set issues were applied on arrival at Pointe-a-Pitre from an outlying town, this has the stamp applied and cancelled at Pointe-a-Pitre at the time of posting to an outlying town; signed C. Jamet and L. Miro (imagea) (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

SOLD for $4,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

320

Yvert TT#3

Yvert TT#3, 1876 40c Black first typeset postage due, three large margins, close at top and tiny scissors cut in right margin, a very rare stamp tied to 1878 cover of a legal notice from the small village of Port Louis to Pointe-a-Pitre, stamp tied on arrival by well struck black "Guadeloupe/Pointe-a-Pitre/22 Juil. 78" double-circle c.d.s., with similar backstamp on the reverse, black "Guadeloupe/Port-Louis/21 Juil. 78" double-circle c.d.s. at bottom left and official cachet on front and back, "T" in triangle and "4" for 4 decimes postage due handstamps at top, cover was opened roughly at top and there is a piece missing at left which only slightly affects the backstamp, still a fine cover; the 40c was for the first weight level of 15 grams in the second rate period of 1878; all of the typeset first postage dues are rare stamps and especially rare on cover with this originating in a small town as well; signed Gilbert and accompanied by 2001 J. Robineau and R. Calves certificates, (imagea) (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction