Salomon Rosenthal Collection of Mexican Maritime Mail
February 20, 2008
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #501 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1774-1790 1774 King Carlos III, by Royal Decree dated August 6, 1764 created the "Empresa Estatal de Correos Maritimos", with a base at the port of La Coruna. Eight ships were constructed for monthly service to Cuba. According to the "Reglamento Provisional Del Correo Maritimo de Espana A Sus Indias Occidentales", mail for the "Indies" was sorted at La Coruna into eight boxes for different destinations, each sealed and only to be opened upon arrival. The "Espana" marking was applied at La Coruna for the purpose of avoiding mistakes when charges were assessed on arrival. Mail for Guatemala was included in the box for "Nueva Espana" A FL from Barcelona, 6 October to Guatemala, pre-paid with 3 reales (internal notation), faint "Catalu¦a", hs, sent by "Colon" departing La Coruna on November 1st to Havana, then by a smaller ship ("balandras") to Vera Cruz and conveyed overland to Guatemala, fine early letter from Spain, via Cuba and Mexico to Guatemala  | Price Realized $2,400.00 |
 | Lot #502 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1774-1790 1779 The "Real Ordenanza De Los Correos Maritimos Del Estado", also referred to as "Reglamento Definitivo", issued 26 January, 1777 added a detail and made minor operational changes to the existing service. However, after 1779, war with England caused disruptions, and service was practically suspended during the war with France, 1793-95. By October 1796, Spain was once again at war with England and most mail carrying ships were taken or sunk. A small FL from Sevilla, 21 July, red "Espana" and "Andalusa Alta" handstamps, sent by paquebot "Cortes", departing La Coruna August 1779 to Havana. From there, it was taken by a smaller boat to Vera Cruz, then overland to Mexico City | Price Realized $2,100.00 |
 | Lot #503 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1774-1790 1781 FL from Vera Cruz to Maracaibo, Venezuela, red "Vera Cruz" in oval with "YNDIAS" applied in transit at Cuba, 1Real due for Inter-colonial postage, fine early letter from Mexico to Venezuela | Price Realized $1,200.00 |
 | Lot #504 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1774-1790 1781 outer FL from Caracas to Mexico City, with straight line "Caracas" handstamp, fine, with ms charge margins, overall ageing, fine. One of less than five known from Venezuela to Mexico during the Colonial Era | Price Realized $1,200.00 |
 | Lot #505 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1774-1790 1784 FL from Vera Cruz, June 1 to Madrid, with "Nueva Espana" in red denoting the origin of the letter. Taken by a small courier boat to Cuba, then by paquebot "N. Principe", leaving Havana 16 July and arriving at La Coruna on 25th August, rated 6 reales, fresh and v.f. | Price Realized $2,500.00 |
 | Lot #506 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1774-1790 1787 FL from Cadiz to Mexico City, with red "Cadiz" departure handstamp, forwarded to Guayaquil. There is a small "6" endorsement, otherwise no evidence of postage due, with "Espana" applied in transit to indicate origin, fine example of early transit through Mexico to Ecuador | Price Realized $2,700.00 |
 | Lot #507 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1774-1790 1789 FL (July) from Mexico to Le Havre, France, carried by the goleta "Magdalena", sent via Spain (with "Nueva Espana" in handstamped in red to indicate origin); it arrived at La Coruna September 3rd, the "20 decimes" rating was annulled; re-rated "27", fine and rare letter to France. Examples of surviving mail to and from countries other than Spain prior to 1815 is almost non-existent | Price Realized $1,600.00 |
 | Lot #508 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - From Manila 1790 FL from Manila, 24 January to Rome, conveyed through Mexico (as mentioned in the text of the letter), with postmaster's "Franca Azas" handstamp applied in the Philippines, also red "Filipinas" marking which denotes origin, fragile around the edges, with some paper strengthening, clear markings and part of the wax seal on back. A rare example of early Colonial mail from the Philippines, via Mexico to Italy | Price Realized $7,000.00 |
 | Lot #509 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1806 FL from Havana to Veracruz carried by the goleta "Ana", red "1+" (triple rate) and "Yndias" handstamps, v.f. | Price Realized $150.00 |
 | Lot #510 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1808 FL from Havana (26 November) to MTrida, privately carried and placed in the mail at Sisal (black handstamp applied), early forwarded mail | Price Realized $240.00 |
 | Lot #511 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1809 FL from Mexico City (15 October) to Lima, Peru, with "Mexico" departure handstamp in black, 4+ reales due from the recipient for double weight Inter-colonial mail. One of the only three recorded covers from Mexico to Peru during the Colonial era | Price Realized $1,200.00 |
 | Lot #512 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1813 FL from Vera Cruz, November 3 to Cadiz, Spain, via Havana (received on November 21st), forwarded on November 23rd by "Cueva Manzanar y Hermanos", placed aboard the warship "Nino" to Cadiz, via the Windward Islands, with red "Islas de Barlovento" origin handstamp, red "5R" due marking, fine. Stated to be the earliest known Forwarded Letter from Mexico | Price Realized $1,100.00 |
 | Lot #513 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1815 Small FL from Tepic, March 23 to Panama, boxed "San Blas" postmark in red, fine early usage to Panama | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #514 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1816 FL from Spain, March 7 to Veracruz, with "Por La Coruna" and Havana endorsements, red "Caruna" (?) handstamp, v.f. | Price Realized $160.00 |
 | Lot #515 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1819 FL from Bordeaux, November 6 to Mexico, carried by a Spanish naval vessel "Galga" departing Cadiz November 28, routed through Cuba and therefore the "YNDIAS" marking, rated "3" reales for transit from Cuba to Mexico only, fine incoming letter from France, with June 20, 1820 response docketing | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #516 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1821 (ca) undated envelope from Mexico to Madrid, with "Franco en Mexico" hs, prepaid (unusual), hence no need to apply the "Nueva Espana" marking, fine | Price Realized $180.00 |
 | Lot #517 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1821 FL from Havana to Fresnillo, with black "Islas de Barlovento" (Windward Islands) origin-handstamp and large "3" handstamps, fine | Price Realized $140.00 |
 | Lot #518 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1821 FL from Tepic, April 22 to Madrid, with red departure hs, arriving in Spain 8+ months later on January 8, 1822. In the interval, Mexico gained Independence. Fine letter, rated "7.R" in black | Price Realized $190.00 |
 | Lot #519 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1824 FL from Alvarado, April 5 to Havana, carried by a Spanish naval frigate "Morena", with "Yndias" and "3" (reales) due for Inter-Colonial Mail. Fine example of mail carried by the Royal Navy. Spanish forces continued to occupy the Fort of San Juan de Ulua which prevented the use of the port of Vera Cruz by non-Spanish vessels. While Mexico achieved independence in September, 1821, the last Spanish troops, holding the fort did not leave until 1825. Not surprisingly, commercial Spanish ships seldom visited Mexican ports during the first decade of Independence | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #520 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1825 FL (April) from Vera Cruz to Barcelona, probably originated at San Juan de Ulua (last Spanish holdout in Mexico) and carried by the Royal Spanish Navy frigate "Vengador", with "Yndias" and "7.R" due in Spain, fine example of mail carried by the Spanish Royal Navy. The Fort surrendered in November to General Miguel Barragan. | Price Realized $850.00 |
 | Lot #521 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1826 Spain maintained postal service to the Caribbean using its naval vessels from 1827-1857, supplementing or complementing the "Empresa de Correos Maritimos" (1828-1851) ships. A FL from Veracruz to Mataro, Spain, carried by a naval frigate and arriving 27 March 1827. The writer mentions waiting for a Spanish ship since he does not trust the British (who by this time were actually carrying most of the Transatlantic mail), red "Yndias" and charged 8 reales due on arrival, fine | Price Realized $170.00 |
 | Lot #522 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1838 FL from Guaymas (two different "Franco en Guamas" handstamps), overland to Veracruz, then by a Spanish naval ship to Cuba and by a frigate "Provisional" to Spain. A fine example of mail from the early period following re-establishment of relations between Mexico and Spain (1836) | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #523 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1841 FL from Veracruz, August 3 to Havana by a British packet "Penguin", with "Yndias E" handstamp, handled by the "Empresa de Correos Maritimos" at Havana. The circular "Yndias E" marking was used only on correspondence from Mexico. Spain contracted service with the Cuban company, which operated from 1828 to 1851. They had a virtual monopoly on mail through Cuba, but handled little Mexican mail (Mexico had no diplomatic relations with Spain until 1836). The company's route was Havana-Cadiz-Canary Islands-Puerto Rico-Havana | Price Realized $625.00 |
 | Lot #524 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1806-1843 1842 FL forwarded from Mexico, May 2 to Cuba, deposited in the mail at Havana ("Habana Franco" in oval) and sent by ship of the "Empresa de Correos Maritimos" (orange "Correos Maritimo No. 3" handstamp) to Madrid, arriving at La Coruna on July 1st, fine | Price Realized $425.00 |
 | Lot #525 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1856 FL from Oaxaca, October 25 to Penacastilo, Spain, franked with 1r yellow, tied by boxed departure datestamp (without year date), sent via Havana (November 15 cds) by the steamship "Alma" of the "Cia Franco-American de Vapor", filing folds away from the stamp, with blue "2r's" (in Havana) re-rated to "4 R" on arrival in Spain to be collected from the addressee. This is the only known foreign destination letter known from Oaxaca, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 183). In the late 1850s Caribbean contracts were awarded to three short-lived ventures: The Cia Franco-American de Vapor (1856-57); Gauthier Hermanos y Cia (1857-58), and Cia de Vapores Espanioles Correos Transatlantica (1858-61). | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #526 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1857 FL from Merida to Vera Cruz, franked with 4r red and tied by boxed 18 July departure datestamp (without year date), carried by a Spanish steamer "Union", some paper erosion, fine and rare letter. The successor to the "Empresa de Correo Maritimo", after a hiatus of several years, was the Cuban firm of "Ramon de Herrera, Bolet y Cia", whose packets called at Vera Cruz starting in 1856. However, the overall volume of Mexican mail carried by them was far less that that carried by the British, French or American ships, and examples are seldom encountered. This line continued to serve Mexico-Cuba route until 1866, but its Caribbean-Spain route was taken over by the Antonio Lopez y Cia line in January, 1862 | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #527 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1859 FL from Mexico City to Madrid, franked with 2r green, carried from Havana by the steamship "Berenguer" of the "Cia de Vapores Espanolas Transatlanticos", departing April 12, to Spain. Charged 4 reales on arrival in Madrid, with 5 June 1859 cds on back (the "00" was applied at Havana to indicate that the stamp had no value, but there is no indication of postage due there), fine | Price Realized $2,800.00 |
 | Lot #528 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1862 FL from Campeche, September 27 to Barcelona, conveyed outside the mails to Havana, where 1 real Cuban franking was applied on 30 October, carried by a Spanish ship arriving November 25th, fine | Price Realized $260.00 |
 | Lot #529 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1863 FL franked with 2r gray, sent from Mexico, 11 June to Escoviaza, Spain, by the "Mejico" of the Ramon Herrera Line, then by an Antonio Lopez ship "Santo Domingo" departing Cuba on 30th June. There is a "4R" due on arrival (incorporated as part of the Vigo transit mark), fine | Price Realized $1,900.00 |
 | Lot #530 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1863 FL from Havana, franked with Cuban 1r green, sent to Vera Cruz, 18 May, by a Spanish steamer "Mejico" arriving May 24th, fine | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #531 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1866 FL from Bilbao to Mexico City, franked with horizontal strip of 3x20c, cancelled by grids, with 25 October departure cds alongside, carried via "Cadiz", fine incoming letter from Spain, charged "6" to recipient | Price Realized $625.00 |
 | Lot #532 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1866 FL from Sisal to Mexico (via Vera Cruz) by Spanish steamer "Paris" on the first trip of the Lopez Line (The Herrera firm discontinued its service to Mexico in 1866 and the route was thereafter served by the firm of Antonia Lopez y Cia) to Mexico City, January 1866, franked with 1r and 2r Eagle, cancelled by oval "Franco Sisal" hs, v.f., illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (color plate 2) | Price Realized $1,600.00 |
 | Lot #533 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1866 FL from Mexico City, March 19 to Havana, franked with 4r green Eagle, with due marking overstruck by "FRANCO" (one of two handstamps) and "YNDIAS" indicating the letter's origin, overall toning, otherwise fine | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #534 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1867 FL from Puebla, February 26 to Spain, franked with 50c Maximilian (Puebla 46 1866), neatly tied by departure cds, bold "8Rs" due from the recipient, v.f. and scarce late usage of the lithographed Maximilian, possibly the only known on a letter carried by a Spanish ship, with Madrid 11 April arrival cds, ex-Backal collection | Price Realized $6,000.00 |
 | Lot #535 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1868 FL from Mexico City, July 1 to Madrid, franked with 1r and 2r Hidalgo with the "Gothic Mexico" (seldom found on letters to foreign destinations) sent via a Lopez Line steamer "Paris" to Havana; from Cuba by "Antonio Lopez" to Spain, with "Admon de Cambio-Vigo" exchange office rate handstamp "8 Rs", endorsed "Vapor Espanol", fine and attractive cover, with Madrid Aug. 4 arrival cds, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (color plate 2) | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #536 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1868 FL from New Orleans, 27 November to Mexico City, forwarded in Havana by "J.R. Marquette" (Dec.20 datestamp in oval), adding two 10c Cuban adhesives to pay for the Spanish ship conveyance to Veracruz, arriving in Mexico 1 January 1869, charged 3 reales due from recipient, fine | Price Realized $550.00 |
 | Lot #537 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1869 FL (March) from Yguala to Madrid, franked with perforated 50c Maximilian, tied by straight line handstamp, sent via Havana, with "8R" postage due, Madrid arrival cds, filing fold away from the stamp, fine | Price Realized $1,100.00 |
 | Lot #538 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1869 Large part of a FL from Madrid to Mexico City, franked with block of 8x50m violet, sent via Havana, with "2" real charged on arrival, paper erosion and toning, otherwise fine letter from Spain | Price Realized $375.00 |
 | Lot #539 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1875 FL from Veracruz to Havana, franked with 10c black, tied by May 25 cds, arriving June 1st, handstamped "3" reales due, fine | Price Realized $260.00 |
 | Lot #540 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1877 FL from Veracruz, franked with 5c and 2x10c Hidalgo, tied by Feb. 14 cds, with "Manuel Oliver" datestamp in oval, charged 4 reales due on arrival, fine | Price Realized $475.00 |
 | Lot #541 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - The Frigate "Lilly" 1809 Prior to 1815, when the Spanish opened their Caribbean ports to foreign vessels, there is but one instance recorded of a British ship touching port in Mexico - the frigate "Lilly" in 1809. Spain was being invaded by Napoleon and allied herself with England. British warships were the sole means of maintaining communication with the Colonies, since the Spanish fleet had been taken over by the French. A FL from Veracruz, 6 November, to Cadiz, Spain, carried by the British frigate "Lilly", endorsed "Frag.ta Inglesa La Lilly", with "Nueva Espana" handstamp (indicating origin) and red "7R"(reales) due marking applied on arrival. Unique and important item of historical significance | Price Realized $3,750.00 |
 | Lot #542 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1824 Prior to the establishment of the monthly Admiralty Packet service in June, 1825, mail to be conveyed by British ships, had to be privately forwarded. A FL from Veracruz, 13 March, to Cadiz, red "Nueva Espana" (origin hs), forwarded at New York by "J.B. Marie" 14 April, but still rated "7R" (reales) as if it had arrived directly from Mexico, fine and interesting item | Price Realized $525.00 |
 | Lot #543 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1824 FL from Mexico, 24 September, forwarded in New York by "Le Roy Bayard & Co." (boxed handstamp) and placed on a private ship to London arriving at the port of Deal on December 24th, with "Deal Ship Letter" handstamp, charged 4 shillings due from recipient, fine | Price Realized $240.00 |
 | Lot #544 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1825 Beginning in June 1825 (after diplomatic relations between newly-independent Mexico and Great Britain had been established), a British Admiralty packet sailing monthly from Falmouth called at Jacmel (Haiti), Kingston (Jamaica), Havana (Cuba) and Veracruz; returning via Havana, St.Thomas, Barbados and Bermuda. The British Legation in Mexico City sent both official mail and letters handed over by the Mexican post for delivery abroad to its postal agency at Veracruz, via their special courier. Since the rates established for the Mexican mail were higher than those for mail from Jamaica, a "Fleuron" handstamp with "Mexico" was delivered to Jamaica to be applied on letters from Mexico. A letter from Mexico City, 23 April to London, forwarded at Veracruz, 28 April by Josiah Perrett, with the earliest recorded example of the red "Mexico" Fleuron applied in Jamaica, also faint Kingston July 8 transits, with July 25th arrival pmk in London, rated 3 shillings, fine. A rarity | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #545 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1825 FL from Mexico City, August 16 to London, forwarded at Alvarado by Phillip J. Kramer, arriving in London November 17th, charged 11sh due from the recipient, boxed "Liverpool Ship Letter" hs, fine. The port of Alvarado was used because of the Spanish blockade of Veracruz | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #546 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1825 FL from Mexico City to London, carried to New Orleans and forwarded by H. Monro, March 18th, taken on board "Le Frances" bound for Liverpool, arriving May 27th, with "Liverpool Ship Letter" handstamp, 2 shillings paid by recipient, fine example of pre-Admiralty Packet mail forwarded at New Orleans | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #547 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1825 FL from Mexico to London, sent via Tampico where it was forwarded by "Bainbush and Co." (endorsement) to new Orleans. From there it was forwarded again, this time by Fred Frey & Co., arriving in London July 1st, rated 4 shillings, paid by recipient, boxed "Ship Letter Liverpool" handstamp | Price Realized $140.00 |
 | Lot #548 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1826 FL from Veracruz, 18 May to London; carried by a Royal Navy brig "Beaver" on June 4th to Kingston, Jamaica, where the mail was sorted and the red "Mexico" Fleuron added. From Kingston, the letter was sent to London on 24 July, arriving there on August 18th, with 3 shillings due noted, fine and extremely rare transit through Jamaica | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #549 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1827 FL from Veracruz to Gibraltar, via London where it was rated 2sh6p, forwarded on April 10th by "Lubbock and Co." via France (endorsement) red "Angleterre" and 11R assessed by the Spanish post office, fine cover, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 49) | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #550 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1828 FL from Mexico, May 23 to London, with red "Franco" hs, sent by the packet "Sheldrake" arriving July 19th, with the handstamped marking "Oz at 12s/per Oz", rated 12 shillings on arrival | Price Realized $375.00 |
 | Lot #551 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1832 FL from Mexico City, per Admiralty packet "Princess Elizabeth" to Belfast Ireland, 11 July, with red handstamp "Franco Hasta el Puerto" (paid to port) and with "Mexico" Fleuron on back (applied in Jamaica) indicating origin, charged 3sh 6d to recipient, with red August 30th arrival datestamp, fine letter, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 41) | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #552 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1833 Outer FL from Tampico, 31 January to London, per packet "Sphinx," arriving April 5th, with handstamped "Oz at 12s/-per Oz" preceded by manuscript "1+" (oz) and therefore rated 18 shillings on arrival | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #553 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1834 FL from Tampico, 18 June to London with the official seal of the "Maritime Custom House in Tampico de Tamaulipas", with "Paq(uet) Ing (les)" routing specifications, carried aboard the "Goldfinch" via Veracruz (June 25) and Falmouth, arriving August 26th, rated "3" on arrival. Illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 44), "the earliest known official cover from the Custom House in Tampico" | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #554 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1835 FL from Mexico City with red "Franqueado Mexico" departure postmark, sent to Amsterdam, carried by H.M Packet "Reindeer" to London, arriving on 21st October, charged "9/" due for triple rate, crossed out since another 4 shillings (3x 1sh4d) was added for the crossing to Holland. The total of 13 shillings converted to Dutch currency was 780 cents, to which an additional 75 cents was added for internal postage making for "855" (8 guilder 55 cents) due from recipient, with 25th October arrival pmk on back | Price Realized $260.00 |
 | Lot #555 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1837 FL from Veracruz to London, per packet "Nightingale" to Havana where it was forwarded 3 February by Oliver Bastian (manuscript endorsement) to New York. From there the letter was forwarded again, this time by "Hogan & Miln" (oval handstamp), with "Liverpool Ship Letter" boxed handstamp, red 19 March 1838 arrival cds, rated 1sh 6d, fine double forwarded item | Price Realized $150.00 |
 | Lot #556 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1837 FL from Mexico City to Amsterdam, red "Franqueado Mexico July 10" departure, per Packet "Skylark", red "England over Rotterdam" handstamp on back, various other markings and charges, fine | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #557 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1838 FL from Veracruz, 3 October to Philadelphia, carried per packet "Swift", New York, November 12 arrival pmk in red, fine cover used during the "Pastry War" (Guerra de los pasteles). In November 1838, a French pastry cook, Mr. Remontel, claimed that his shop in the Tacubaya district of Mexico City had been ruined by looters and demanded compensation. When payment was not forthcoming, King Louis-Philippe of France ordered a blockade of all Mexican ports from Yucatan to the Rio Grande, with most of the Mexican navy captured at Veracruz. With diplomatic intervention from Great Britain, French forces withdrew from Mexico on 9th March, 1839 | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #558 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1841 FL from Mexico to London, forwarded by "Hoffman y d'Oleire, Veracruz" (April 3rd), by H.M. packet "Petrel" to New York. where it was forwarded twice by "C. & F. Schumacher" and "Gilpin's Exchange Foreign Letter Office", taken by private ship "St. James" to Plymouth (with ship letter handstamp) and rated 8 pence for ship letters, finally arriving London on 29th May, fine letter with triple forwarding markings | Price Realized $550.00 |
 | Lot #559 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1842 In January, 1842, the General Post Office awarded the mail contract for the route between England and the West Indies (which until then was maintained by the Admiralty) to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. This contract was the first of five, with many route revisions (at the start of each contract and sometimes during one's course). That same year, an agency similar to that at Veracruz was established within the British consulate at Tampico (which was added to most of the itineraries). Both were issued their first postal marking: the "Paid ATa" with crown, and double arc type cds. The original contract called for stops at various Caribbean ports, then Havana, Veracruz, Tampico, New Orleans and, again Havana, before returning home via Nassau, Bahamas, Bermuda, and a coaling stop in the Azores. This was revised in October so that New Orleans was dropped and Tampico was followed by a return to Veracruz, before Havana. A FL from Veracruz, April 16 to London, carried per "Solway" to Havana, departing May 1st to Nassau (May 6th), Bermuda and Falmouth (May 26th) arriving in London May 28th where it was charged 2 shillings due. During a three month period, March-May, 1842, mail was sorted at Nassau (Slave Islands) which accounts for the straight line "Bahamas" handstamp. A rarity, fewer than five such covers are known | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #560 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1842 FL from Mexico City to Paris, via Veracruz (red "Franqueado Mexico" cds indicates internal postage was pre-paid) with the newly issued cds of the British agency on flap and red "Packet Letter" box indicating the letter was in transit to other parts of Europe. Taken by packet "Teviot" through Tampico, New Orleans, Havana (June 18) and then by "Isis" to Falmouth, following the short-lived route called for in the original contract. Charged 3 shillings 2 pence (British) and 48 decimes (French), with Calais exchange office cds, Paris July 13th arrival docketing. A great cover, less than five recorded for this early route | Price Realized $800.00 |
 | Lot #561 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1843 FL from Mexico City, via Veracruz to Hollywood (near Belfast), taken by the steamer "Teviot" (February 24) to Southampton (April 2) through London and delivered in Ireland on April 5th, charged 2sh 3d due from recipient, with transit and arrival pmks on back | Price Realized $140.00 |
 | Lot #562 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1843 FL from Mexico City to Italy, per "Avon" (departing Veracruz January 10) through London (February 5), and then via Dover and France, overland to Genova (handstamp "via de Beauvois" indicates Alps overpass), rated 15 decimes, bearing the Anglo-French exchange mark "Colonies & Art. 12", fine | Price Realized $350.00 |
 | Lot #563 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1809-1844 1844 From June 1843 until the end of the 1st Contract in November 1847, five different plans (designated Route Plans "U" through "Z") were used which included calls at a Mexican port. They differed mainly in the stops at various Caribbean ports, before ending with the previously established: Havana-Veracruz-Tampico-Veracruz-Havana-Nassau-Bermuda-Fayal (Azores)-Southampton. One plan ("V") omitted Tampico, while another "Y" added St.Thomas after Nassau. Falmouth, though no longer the important port it had been, was sometimes visited before Southampton. A FL from Guaymas, 1 January, by British naval vessel "Champion" to Mazatlan where it was forwarded by "W.W. Scarborough and Co." (Port of Mazatlan handstamp) overland to Veracruz where it was placed in the mail on May 1st and taken by "Teviot" through Havana (May 7), Nassau (May 12), Bermuda (May 17), arriving in Southampton on June 5th, fine letter, ex-Hugh Wood collection | Price Realized $550.00 |
 | Lot #564 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1844 from Mexican Los Angeles 1844 FL from Los Angeles, Alta California (written in English at the "Floreasitas (Estado de Sonora)", 20 March and later at Los Angeles), to London, privately carried to Mazatlan, forwarded by "Copmann and Lomero" April 17th and at Guaymas by "Juan A. Robinson", where it entered the Mexican mail with "Franqueado en Guiamas" (postage paid) handstamp, conveyed to the British agency at Veracruz (cds), taken by the "Thames" and arriving in London July 6th, charged 2sh3p due, fine and scarce letter from Mexican Los Angeles to England | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #565 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1844 letter forwarded four times 1844 (July) letter forwarded four times between its origin at Mazatlan and its destination, London. Two Mexican forwarders are indicated in the manuscript "Sengstack & Schutte" at Mexico City and "Braune Busing" at Veracruz who paid local postage required before the letter was given to the British Agency, indicated by the "Franco en Veracruz." Missing the packet by one day, it was carried by the "Tay" to Tampico then by unknown means (another forwarding?) to New Orleans. Forwarded by "Schmidt & Co." to Boston and forwarded from there by "Barnard Adams & Co." (oval markings from both companies) and via Cunard steamer "Acadia", finally arriving London on 15th September. A complicated and rare item, one of only three such letters known | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #566 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1845-46 1845 FL from Tampico (blue "Franco Santa Anna de Tamaulipas" departure hs), sent via London to Havre de Grace, France, carried by "Trent" arriving at Southampton on September 8th and Le Havre the next day. The British Agency in Tampico cds struck on backflap, prepaying 1 real for local delivery, boxed "Colonies & c. Art. 12" handstamp refers to the article of the first Anglo-French Postal Convention governing reimbursement by the British for partially paid or unpaid letters, "Article 12" being in use from June 1843 to January 1846. Charged 20 centimes to recipient, fine | Price Realized $260.00 |
 | Lot #567 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1845-46 1846 FL carried out of the mails from Mexico City to Veracruz, forwarded by "R. De Munoz y Munoz" (oval handstamp), entering British mail at Veracruz 1 April 1846, sent by ship to Wakefield, via Southampton, rated 2 shillings 3 pence, with arrival pmk | Price Realized $260.00 |
 | Lot #568 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1847 FL from Veracruz, 1 October to London, per steamer "Medway" via Havana, Nassau and Bermuda to Southampton (November 7), 4/6 paid at Veracruz for double-weight letter, clear "Paid at Vera-Cruz" crown circle postmark, fresh and v.f. | Price Realized $1,600.00 |
 | Lot #569 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1848 FL from Veracruz to United States, with "Paid at Vera Cruz" crown circle, manuscript 2 shillings paid, carried on the "Great Western" to New Orleans, departing July 16th and arriving at Philadelphia on 23rd July, rated 22 cents for double-weight ship letter, with straight line "ship" and arrival backstamp, little paper erosion, otherwise fine | Price Realized $1,600.00 |
 | Lot #570 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1849 The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company reorganized its main route November 2nd, 1847, so that ships left Southampton to arrive at Havana (after stops at Bermuda and Nassau), then proceed to New Orleans, Cat Island (Bahamas), Veracruz, Tampico, then retraced the route, which remained in operation until August 1850 (Mobile, Alabama replaced Cat Island in 1849). An outer FL with "Paid at Veracruz" crown circle in black, to New York via Mobile (June), charged 1 shilling (manuscript) for British service including conveyance by the Royal Mail Steam Co. "Clyde", U.S. red "Ship 12" (10c for over 300 miles inland plus 2c), with Veracruz departure and "Franquedo" pmks on back, v.f. | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #571 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1849 Outer FL from Veracruz to the Mexican Vice-Consul in New York, with "Paid at Vera Cruz" crown circle, paid 4 shillings, quadruple rate, conveyed per "Severn" on 15 September, arriving at Mobile, Ala on 21st September. A blue "Ship" marking applied, with U.S. charging only internal postage, per a special agreement with England, fine and interesting item | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #572 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1849 FL from Tampico (black "Franco Santa Anna De Tamaulipas") with British "Paid at Tampico" (2 schillings) per "Clyde" to New Orleans, via Mobile, 15 June, also U.S. "Ship 7" in red (5c inland postage plus 2c ship), all markings intact, fine and scarce | Price Realized $3,750.00 |
 | Lot #573 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1849 FL from Veracruz, 15 September to St.Thomas, per "Severn" via Mobile to Havana, then by "Tay" to Jamaica where it was transferred to the packet "Clyde" via Jacmel and San Juan to St Thomas, arriving October 13th, charged 1 shilling, with "Paid at Vera-Cruz" crown circle, filing fold, otherwise v.f., scarce destination with Kingston transit cds | Price Realized $1,800.00 |
 | Lot #574 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1850 On August 2nd, 1850, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company changed its routes, the main line departing Southampton to St.Thomas. The mails to Mexico were now taken via San Juan, Jamaica, Veracruz and Tampico, then retracing its calls. A FL from Belfast Ireland, February 28 to Mexico, 2sh 6d paid with 2x1sh embossed (cut to shape) and 6x1p red stamps (the 3d over the regular rate of 2sh 3d paid the late fee), carried by "Medway" to Bermuda, March 18th, continuing to Veracruz, arriving April 7th, with blue Belfast departure and 2 March, Southampton pmks in red, fine | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #575 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1851 FL From Veracruz to France, with Mexican and British Agency datestamps, via London with "Colonies & c. Art. 13" Anglo-French Convention accountancy box (which was used from February 1846 to December 1855), carried by "Trent" to St. Thomas (April 16) then by "Great Western" to Southampton (May 8), arriving at Le Havre May 9th, where it was rated 15 decimes to be paid by the recipient | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #576 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1853 Starting June 2nd, 1852, the Royal Mail Steam Ship Co. amended its third contract by inserting a stop at Havana prior to St. Thomas. This route remained unchanged for the next eleven years. A FL from Kingston, Jamaica, 10 January to Veracruz, with 1 shilling paid by sender, sent by "La Plata" to St. Thomas (January 14th transit on back) and per "Trent" January 29th via Havana, arriving in Veracruz on February 5th, no internal postage charged. The "Trent" gained fame during the early days of the U.S. Civil War ("The Trent Affair") in 1861, when U.S. Navy boarded the ship to seize representatives of the Confederate government | Price Realized $290.00 |
 | Lot #577 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1853 Incoming FL from Paris, 31 May to Mexico City by way of England with small boxed "P.D" (paid to destination) indicated in red, franked with French 1fr red brown and pair of 50c Republique (margins all around), leaving Southampton June 2nd by steamer "Orinoco" it was transferred to the steamer "Avon" at St. Thomas (June 12) and arrived at Veracruz June 26th, with arrival strike partly tying the French adhesives on front, v.f., signed Goebel | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #578 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1853 FL from London, 30 April, franked with British pair of 2sh Embossed (cut at upper left), also perf. 1p and 2p, sent per "La Plata" to St. Thomas (May 15) and per "Conway" via Havana to Veracruz, arriving June 2nd, fine | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #579 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1854 FL from Veracruz to Villa Clara, Cuba, 1sh paid (red crayon), with "Paid at Vera Cruz" crown circle, departure datestamp on back, handstamped "Yndias" (twice) on arrival in Cuba, charged "4" reales to the recipient, fine | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #580 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1855 FL from St. Thomas to Veracruz, with "Paid at St.Thomas" crown circle, 2 shilling prepaid (red crayon), undated 1855 departure pmk on back, little peripheral toning, otherwise fine and unusual incoming item | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #581 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1855 FL from Fresnillo to France, with boxed departure datestamp, sent via the British Agency at Veracruz (cds on flap), 24 October 1855 (arriving in London 4 January 1856). The "Colonies & c. Art. 18." (referring to the relevant section of the Anglo-French Convention treating accountancy markings) was only in use during 1856 and is much scarcer than its predecessors, "12" and "13", rated 30 decimes by France, with appropriate transit and arrival pmks | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #582 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1856 Outer FL La Guayra, with red "Paid at La Guayra" crown circle, 4sh paid via St.Thomas to Veracruz, charged "4" reals on arrival, overall toning, fine usage from Venezuela | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #583 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1856 FL from Durango, 28 November to Crefeld, Prussia, franked with 1r yellow, postage for 1st Tariff, overland to Veracruz, taken aboard "Trent" departing 6 January 1857, via Havana to St. Thomas, arriving January 17th, then by "Atrato" departing January 17th to Southampton, arriving January 31st, through London where it was rated 2sh3p (for passage from Mexico), sent via Aachen (transit February 1st) arriving at its destination the same day, charged 28 silbergroschen to recipient. A remarkable first issue cover to Prussia, some overall toning | Price Realized $5,500.00 |
 | Lot #584 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1856 (October) small cover from Guanajuato to France, with 1 real paying single-weight to Veracruz, per packet "Conway" to St. Thomas, then by "La Plata" (October 3), arriving at Southampton on November 15th. The cover bears French 16 November '56 arrival and boxed "Colonies Art-18" British-French exchange marking in red, which while relatively common during the stampless period (and eventually discontinued by December 31,1856) is the only known example on a stamped cover. A fine, unique item. The first Mexican stamps appeared on 1 August, 1856. Initially, the rate for an ordinary letter was + real, if sent under 16 leagues and 1 real if sent further. On 20 December 1856, these rates were doubled, so the "First Rate Period" lasted only four months. Covers used during that time are relatively scarce | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #585 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1856 FL from Tampico to Veracruz via "Solent" with "Paid at Tampico" crown circle in red. December 19, 1856 was last day of the internal "First Rate Period", double-weight of 1 real paid with stamp (1r yellow), British charge of 1 shilling indicated in manuscript, v.f. and scarce letter, ex-Backal, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 71) | Price Realized $8,500.00 |
 | Lot #586 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1857 Starting in 1857, the amount due from France for the British Service was based on units of 30 grams, rather than by individual piece. One France & 60c centimes was charged for 30 grams of mail from British Consular Agencies and indicated by the "GB 1F 60c" handstamp, which remained in effect until the creation of U.P.U. in 1875. A FL from Durango to Bordeaux, franked with a horizontal pair of 1r yellow, tied by a boxed August 17 departure datestamp (without year), via the "Solent" departing Tampico, August 30th for Veracruz, Havana, St.Thomas (September 15th), then per "Panama" to Southampton and France, arriving October 2nd with typical "GB 1f 60c" exchange marking, 8 decimes due, with transit and arrival pmks on back, fine | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #587 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1857 FL (May) from Tampico to Bordeaux, franked with two copies of 1r yellow, carried per "Solent" (departing May 2nd) reaching St. Thomas May 17th, continuing on the "Panama" to Southampton and from there to France, boxed "G.B. 1F 60c" and charged 16 decimes due, with appropriate transit and arrival pmks on back, fine | Price Realized $2,200.00 |
 | Lot #588 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1857 Outer FL (March) from Tampico to Veracruz, per "Solent", 1/2-3/4 ounce (triple rate), franked with 1r yellow and 2r green, with red "Paid at Tampico" crown circle (charged 2 shillings), also red March 31, 1851 postmark on back, filing folds, otherwise v.f. | Price Realized $7,500.00 |
 | Lot #589 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1857 Stampless FL from Veracruz, 3 July to New York, black "Paid at Vera-Cruz" crown circle (1 shilling paid in crayon), taken by "Dee" to Havana (July 9th) then by "Empire City" of the United States Mail Steamship Co., arriving in New York on July 13th, with "Steamship 10" rate handstamp, fine | Price Realized $1,100.00 |
 | Lot #590 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1857 FL from Tampico to Veracruz, 2 October, franked with 1r yellow, sent by "Solent" with one day transit time. Port-to-port mail was treated as under 16 leagues by Mexico, hence the single-weight charge of 1 real, British rate of 1 shilling, red "Paid at Tampico" crown circle, also red departure pmk on back, v.f. and rare cover, ex-Backal | Price Realized $5,250.00 |
 | Lot #591 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1857 outer FL from San Luis Potosi, March 24 to Torino, Italy, franked with 2r green, carried by the "Solent" from Veracruz (June 4) to St. Thomas, then by "Atrato" to England, through France with the usual accountancy markings, 20 decimes due from recipient, little overall toning, transit and arrival pmks on back, fine cover to Italy, with 1979 Mepsi cert. Catalog #3 | Price Realized $3,500.00 |
 | Lot #592 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1857 FL from Tampico ("Santa Anna De Tamaulipas") October 28 to Glasgow, franked with 1r yellow, carried per "Solent" to St. Thomas (arriving November 15), then by steamer "Orinoco" to Southampton, arriving December 2nd, rated 2 shillings 3 pence, with Tampico departure, London transit and Glasgow arrival pmks on back, filing crease at right, otherwise fine. This is the only recorded 1856 Issue cover to Scotland, ex-Todd collection | Price Realized $2,700.00 |
 | Lot #593 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1858 (November) FL from Mexico City, franked on back with 4r red sent to Agen, France, via the British Agency in Veracruz (November 4th), per steamer "Clyde" departing November 6th for Havana (November 11th) and St. Thomas (November 16th), transferred to the "Panama" leaving the same day for Southampton (December 1st), across to France on December 2nd, with "GB 1f 60c" exchange marking and charged 8 decimes due, with appropriate transit and arrival pmks, fine | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #594 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1858 FL from Mexico City, May 5 to Bordeaux, franked with 1r yellow and 4r red, sent by "Dee" to St. Thomas (May 16th), then by "La Plata" to Southampton (May 30th) and delivered in France May 31st, with 40 centimes due, also "GB 1f 60c" exchange marking, fine and rare cover | Price Realized $6,000.00 |
 | Lot #595 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1859 Incoming FL from Glasgow, 1 September to Mexico City, paid 2sh6p (2x1sh, 1p and 2p), per "Panama" to St. Thomas (September 17) then by "Teviot" to Veracruz (September 28), 2 reales due in Mexico, fresh and v.f. cover from United Kingdom to Mexico, signed Holcombe | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #596 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1847-56 "Paid at Vera Cruz" 1859 large part of a FL (side panels missing) from Veracruz, March 5 to Genova, Italy, franked with 1r orange, carried by "Conway" to St. Thomas and by "Panama" (March 19-April 5) to Southampton, through France with boxed accountancy marking, 10 decimes due from the recipient, Veracruz, London, Paris and Genova pmks on back, fine | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #597 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1856-59 "Paid at Cartagena" 1859 Incoming FL from Bogot¯, Colombia, 19 February to Veracruz, forwarded in Cartagena by "Druce Eckart" March 12th, who paid 1 shilling, indicated by "Paid at Cartagena" crown circle in black, continuing per "Medway" to St. Thomas, then by "Conway" to Veracruz, arriving March 29th, with 2 reales due for internal postage, fine and rare combination letter showing both the British and Mexican markings alongside, ex-Biolato & Todd collections | Price Realized $3,500.00 |
 | Lot #598 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1856-59 "Paid at Cartagena" 1859 small cover from Veracruz, addressed ("aspirant de marine aboard de la Corvette L'Eurydice") to a sailor on board a British Admiralty ship "Eurydice", sent per packet "Medway" via Jamaica and Puerto Rico to St. Thomas (March 20), taken by the packet "Thames" to Panama, arriving March 30th, rated 2 shillings (red crayon), with "Paid at Vera-Cruz" crown circle, endorsed "Por Panama, Voie Anglaise", fine and delightful cover | Price Realized $1,900.00 |
 | Lot #599 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1860 to Hamburg 1860 cover from Orizava (January) to Hamburg, franked with 4r red, overland to Veracruz, sent via the Royal Steam Ship Co. steamers "Clyde" (to St. Thomas, February 14) and "La Plata" (arriving at Southampton March 6) rated 2sh5p due to England, continuing by steamer to Hamburg and rated 39 silbergroschen (in red crayon) to recipient, fine. One of the five recorded 1856 Issue covers to present-day Germany | Price Realized $10,000.00 |
 | Lot #600 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1860 to Bogota 1860 FL from Veracruz, February 4 to Bogot¯ (endorsed at top "to be left at the Post Office [at] Santa Marta") sent through the British Agency at Veracruz ("Paid at Veracruz" crown circle, plus consular backstamp), 1 shilling rate, carried by "Clyde" to St. Thomas (British Agency backstamp February 14th) and by "Thames" to Santa Marta, arriving February 22nd, fine letter to Colombia, with Holcombe cert., ex-Todd collection | Price Realized $2,500.00 |
 | Lot #601 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 outer FL Mexico City (March) to Madrid, franked with 2r (single-weight), sent via British Agency at Veracruz ("Paid at Veracruz" crown circle in black, plus manuscript "1/" and British Consulate backstamp), per "Solent" (with Havana March 9 backstamp) to St. Thomas (where it arrived March 14), then to England by the packet "Tasmanian", arriving in London, March 30th, then by packet to Spain, arriving in Madrid April 4th, rated "8Rs" due from recipient, v.f., with appropriate transit and arrival pmks on back, ex-Backal collection | Price Realized $5,250.00 |
 | Lot #602 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 FL from London, 20 November to Aajaca, sent inside another letter by "Seine" (departing December 2nd) arriving at St. Thomas, December 17th, then by "Clyde" departing same day to Veracruz, received December 26th by "Forwarded by Fischer, Busing & Co. Vera Cruz" (in oval), entering the Mexican mail system 19 January 1862 at Orizava (because the French had occupied Veracruz), where it was franked with 2r black (without overprint), fine forwarded mail letter | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #603 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 FL from Bordeaux, 30 July to San Luis Potosi, sent via London, from there by "Seine" arriving at St. Thomas on August 16th, then by "Trent" though Havana and Veracruz, arriving at Tampico August 29th, where it was forwarded, franked with two copies of 1/4 of 8 reales black on red brown, used as 2 reales, tied by Tampico cancel (Schatzkes No. 1585) and put into Mexican mail, fine and rare example of fractional usage on mail from France, signed J.K. Bash, ex-Koenig collection, with 1995 Mepsi cert. Catalog #11b | Price Realized $2,500.00 |
 | Lot #604 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 Small cover from Jicaltepec (Jalapa District) to Cote d'Or, France, franked with 2 reales, with British Agency "Veracruz" transit on back, sent by "Clyde" to St. Thomas and "Shannon" to England, reaching France on 29 August, boxed "G.B. 1f60c" and charged "8" decimes on arrival, fine cover, with transit and arrival pmks | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #605 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1862 FL from Mexico City to Madrid, franked with 2r black on pink, through the British Agency at Veracruz, 1 April 1862, with "Paid at Veracruz" crown circle (1 shilling), by steamer "Avon" though Havana to St. Thomas, then by steamer "Shannon", arriving at London April 18th, continuing to Madrid via France, with "4R." due in Spain, showing British Consular seal, appropriate transit and arrival pmks on back, fine and rare cover to Spain | Price Realized $5,000.00 |
 | Lot #606 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 FL from Veracruz, 26 November, to Tampico, franked with 1r black on green (1861 Issue, paying port to port tariff), sent per packet "Clyde", British prepayment of 1 shilling (manuscript plus "Paid at Veracruz" crown circle), merchant's handstamp and Veracruz departure pmk on back, fine and scarce item, with Robineau cert., ex-Backal collection | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #607 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 FL from Veracruz to Madrid, with "Paid at Vera Cruz" crown circle, paying 1sh (in crayon), sent per "Clyde" via Havana to St. Thomas (arrived December 12), then per "Shannon" to Southampton (arrived January 1, 1862) and on to Spain, where it was charged 8Rs (in blue) on arrival January 3rd, filing fold away from the markings, fine cover to Spain | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #608 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 FL from Mexico City, 29 April to Madrid, franked with 1r black on green and 4r black on yellow, with "Paid at Vera-Cruz" and rated 4 shillings (four times weight), sent by steamer "Solent" to St. Thomas and "La Plata" to Southampton (arriving May 13th), continuing to Spain through France and rated "16R" on arrival, with British Consulate handstamp, Vigo transit and Madrid arrival pmks on back, fine and important cover, very early usage of the 1861 adhesives, ex-Paliafito (paid $11,000 to W.C. Shelton and sold as part of the "Hidalgo" collection in 1995) Catalog #7,9 | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #609 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 Outer FL from Tampico, 27 July to Veracruz, franked with 1r black on green (single weight, customary port to port tariff), via the British Agency, rated 1 shilling ("Paid at Tampico" crown circle in red) and carried by the packet "Clyde", with arrival pmk, ex-Backal collection | Price Realized $5,500.00 |
 | Lot #610 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1861 Outer FL from Tampico, 28 August to Mexico City, franked with vertical pair of 1r black on green (over 16 leagues distance), via the British Agency, rated 1 shilling ("Paid at Tampico" crown circle in red) and carried by the "Trent", with arrival pmk, ex-Backal collection, very rare | Price Realized $9,000.00 |
 | Lot #611 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1862 outer FL from Mexico City, October 2 to Santa Maria, Spain, franked with 2r black on pink and 4r black, yellow, carried by "Trent" to St. Thomas, continuing on "La Plata" to Southampton and by British steamer to Cadiz, charged 12Rs in red, with London transit and Puerto Santa Maria arrival pmks, fine cover to Spain | Price Realized $4,750.00 |
 | Lot #612 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1862 FL from Mexico (August) to New Orleans, franked with 2r black on pink, sent via the British Agency at Veracruz, September 1st. Carried by "Trent" to St. Thomas and "Tasmanian" to Southampton, with London September 29 transit pmk. Transported to New York by the steamer "Hansa" of the North German Line. The Union fleet under Admiral Farragut forced the opening of the Mississippi in April 1862 and the Union army occupied New Orleans on 26th April. During the subsequent months, maritime traffic between New Orleans and Mexico was suspended, therefore the roundabout routing of this cover. The final leg was probably by a military supply ship, with 75 cents due (altered from the original "54", addition 20c to captain), overall toning, fine and interesting cover | Price Realized $3,500.00 |
 | Lot #613 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1863 Cover from Mexico City to Paris, franked with 1r and 2r Hidalgo, sent per "Trent" to St. Thomas and "Tasmanian" to Southampton, with boxed "GB 1f.60c" exchange handstamp, rated triple (24 decimes) by the French, with transit and arrival pmks, fine | Price Realized $2,200.00 |
 | Lot #614 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1864 Fourth contract, from January 1864 to January 1875. Stops at Veracruz and Tampico were preceded by stops at St.Thomas, Puerto Rico and Havana (the addition of Puerto Rico being the main difference from the previous contract route). The return from Tampico retraced these stops, then on to Southampton. A FL from Mexico City, 27 February to Havana, franked with 2r black on pink, deposited with the British Consulate with prepayment of 1shilling (manuscript) and conveyed through the British Agency, Veracruz ("Paid at Veracruz" crown circle). The steamer "Conway" carried the letter to Cuba (arriving Havana March 7th) where "3" reales were charged and "INDIAS" handstamp was applied to indicate origin. A rarity to Cuba | Price Realized $9,000.00 |
 | Lot #615 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1864 Small cover from Tampico to France, with "Correos Franco Tampico" departure, sent via London (arriving February 29th), with boxed exchange marking "GB 1F60" and transits on reverse, rated 16 decimes, fine | Price Realized $260.00 |
 | Lot #616 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1864 Cover from Tampico to France, with "Correos Franco Tampico" departure pmk, sent via London (arriving February 17th), without the customary exchange marking and London transit (having probably been left in the mailbag), rated 8 decimes, fine | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #617 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1864 FL from Guadalajara, April 12 to Spain, hand-carried to Mexico City where it was franked with vertical strip of 3x1r black on green, mailed April 29th, arriving at the British Post Office at Veracruz, May 2nd, sent via "Conway" to St. Thomas (arriving May 13th) then by "Atrato" to Southampton, arriving May 28th, continuing through France to Irun (May 13) and arriving Madrid June 12th, red "12Rs" due, with transit in arrival pmks on back, fine cover to Spain, ex-Mazepa collection | Price Realized $2,500.00 |
 | Lot #618 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1864 FL from Veracruz to New York, with both Mexican and British postage accounted incl. "Paid at Vera Cruz" crown circle, 2sh paid (in red crayon) for a double-weight letter, carried to Havana by steamer "Solent," arriving November 6th, then by an American ship to New York where "Steamship 20" was applied, usual filing folds, fine cover to the United States | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #619 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1864 FL from Tampico, 27 December to Genova, Italy, franked with 1real Eagle, paying local delivery to the British Agency, per "Solent" to St. Thomas and "Atrato" to Southampton, then via London and France ("GB 1F60c" Franco-British exchange marking) overland to Italy and rated "20" decimes on arrival, with Tampico departure, London and Paris transits and Genova arrival pmks on back, fine | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #620 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1865 FL from Tampico to Puebla, March 1865, franked with 2r Eagle, sent through the British Agency (indicated by the small "Tampico Paid" cds in use 1863-1872), carried by "Solent" to Veracruz, rated 1shilling (red crayon), fine letter from "D.Camacho" company, signed J.K. Bash | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #621 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1865 FL from Tampico, July 27 to Havana, franked with 1r Eagle, sent through the British Agency (small "Tampico Ju 27 66 Paid" cds), rated 1shilling, carried by "Conway", arriving in Havana on 5th August, with "3" reales due in Cuba, handstamped "INDIAS" on arrival to indicate origin, some toning, otherwise a fine letter to Cuba | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #622 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1865 FL from Mexico City to Barcelona, franked with 4r Eagle, tied by "Franco Mexico" cds, endorsed "By England" at top, carried by "Conway" to St. Thomas, then by "Seine" to Southampton, arriving at London August 30th, via France to Spain, rated "4Rs" on arrival, fine | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #623 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1861-65 1866 Cover from Mexico City, 29 June to Genova, franked with 4r Eagle, carried by "Solent" to St. Thomas (via Havana and Puerto Rico) then by "Seine" to Southampton (arriving July 29th), entering French mails on July 30th ("GB 1F60c" French-British exchange marking), rated 20 decimes, with "Martinez y Comp" departure datestamp, London and Paris transit and Genova arrival pmks, fine cover to Italy | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #624 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1865 1/2r rate to Austria 1865 The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company made available the special 1/2 real rate to Austrian and Belgian soldiers serving with the French forces supporting Emperor Maximilian. A small cover from Mexico City (October) to Vienna, Austria, franked with +r dull purple Eagle (Mexico district) by British ships "Eider" (October 2 to St. Thomas, arriving October 12) and "Shannon" to Southampton, rated 1 shilling 3 pence due to England, with Aachen transit (October 31) with 80sgr (blue crayon) and charged "80" kreuzer (red crayon) due on arrival, with boxed Vienna 1 November datestamp on back, fine cover from a French Foreign Legionnaire, carried by a British ship, with Peter Holcombe cert. Catalog #20 | Price Realized $7,500.00 |
 | Lot #625 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1865 1/2r rate to Poland 1865 Cover from Oaxaca, July 11 to Krakow, Austria (now Poland), franked with +r Eagle, sent by "Conway" to St. Thomas (August 1-12) and "Seine" to Southampton, with London Aug. 30 and "Seebrief per England und Aachen" Aug.31 transit pmks on back, 1sh3p due to England and 80kr (blue crayon) due from recipient. On arrival in Krakow, cover was redirected to Warsaw, with 4 September arrival datestamp on back. A rare letter from a Polish soldier, a member of the French Foreign Legion with Maximilian's army in Mexico, one of only two known | Price Realized $7,500.00 |
 | Lot #626 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1865 1/2r rate to Belgium 1865 Undated soldier's letter (special + real rate) originating in Morelia, with +r violet Eagle (Morelia 220-1864, sub-consignment 10) uncancelled, sent to Belgium, carried by the steamer "Eider", departing Veracruz May 2nd, 1865 with transit through St. Thomas and from there by "Atrato" to London, arriving June 28th, charged 1 shilling 4 pence, continuing to Brussels, with June 29th arrival and 13 decimes due. A fine and rare cover from a Belgian soldier, with the French Foreign Legion, ex-Paliafito ("Aguilas") collection, with MEPSI cert. Catalog #20 | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #627 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1865 covers 1865 FL from Mexico City, December 27 to Madrid, franked on back with 2x2r Eagle, carried by "Eider" to St. Thomas and per "Shannon" to Southampton (arriving January 29th), with London backstamp January 30th, carried through France, arriving in Spain on 1st February, rated "12R", fine, ex-Backal collection | Price Realized $1,600.00 |
 | Lot #628 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1865 covers 1865 cover from Guaymas, 3 May ("Corps Exp. Mexique" cds) to France, placed in closed mails on a ship serving San Francisco and Panama, sorted in New York, charged 3c U.S. internal rate debited to France, then carried by the British ship "Africa" to France ("Serv.Brit." cds), 8 decimes charged to recipient on arrival in Strasbourg, fine French army letter carried by a British vessel | Price Realized $1,200.00 |
 | Lot #629 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1865 huge franking from Austria 1865 Large cover (opened for display) from Wiener Neustadt, Austria, 13 May to Mexico, franked with 3kr green (2), 10kr blue (2) and 15kr brown (7) for a total of 131kr, addressed to a lieutenant in the Hussar regiment of Austrian Volunteers at Puebla, Mexico. The letter was intended to be sent via Paris and St. Nazaire, but the French ship had departed (red boxed "aprFs le depart" hs), so it was sent instead by British ship "Seine" departing Southampton May 17th and arriving at St. Thomas May 31st, then by "Conway" departing June 17th, with a stop at Puerto Rico, arriving at Veracruz June 27th. The 1/2r concessionary rate (applied by a black handstamp) was charged - the only recorded instance of this on inbound mail. A remarkable cover, of importance to both Mexican and Austrian philately | Price Realized $10,000.00 |
 | Lot #630 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1866 cover from Spanish Morocco 1866 Cover from Ceuta (Spanish town on the Morocco side of the Gibraltar Strait), 11 August to Vera Cruz, franked with Spanish adhesives 4x10c green, sent via Cadiz, Madrid and London, per ships "Seine" to St. Thomas and "Eider" to Veracruz where it arrived on 27th September, black "PD" (paid to destination) hs, fine and unique incoming cover from North Africa to Mexico | Price Realized $5,000.00 |
 | Lot #631 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1866 covers 1866 Outer FL to Tampico, with small "Havana Paid" Feb.22 departure pmk on front, another on back, with 1sh paid (red crayon), also charged 1 real to recipient, fine letter from Cuba | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #632 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1866 covers 1866 Cover from Mexico City, 29 November to Paris, franked with 50c green (Maximilian), sent per "Eider" to St. Thomas and "Shannon" to Southampton, with typical Anglo-French exchange markings, rated "30" (decimes), 1st January, 1867 arrival, some cover mending, otherwise fine, red London cds on back. A great rarity, fewer than a dozen foreign mail covers with Maximilian Issues are known Catalog #34 | Price Realized $6,000.00 |
 | Lot #633 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1866 covers 1867 FL from Barracaldo, Uruguay, 19 September to San Andres Tuxtla, with 2sh 11d (pairs of 1sh green and 4p orange, plus single 3p, all with small faults) paid at the British Post Office in Montevideo, October 30th, sent by steamer to London (December 3rd), then per "Atrato" to St. Thomas (December 16) and per "Danube" to Veracruz, arriving December 27th, with "2" reales due, fine cover from Uruguay via London to Mexico | Price Realized $3,000.00 |
 | Lot #634 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1866 covers 1866 "Corps Expeditionaire Mexique" - Mobile Post Offices, Bureaus "A" through "M", served the French Army in Mexico during the Intervention. The rate for ordinary letters carried on French ships was 20 centimes; on British ships, 50 centimes. A Bureau "A" cover to Paris, carried by British ships ("V. Angl." cds): "Eider" to St. Thomas (October 12) and "Shannon" to England, double rate (1fr) paid to destination ("P.D.") with French 20c and 2x40c cancelled "CEM A" in Lozenge, arriving October 30th, with both black and red cds, fine and attractive cover, signed Goebel | Price Realized $2,900.00 |
 | Lot #635 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1866 cover from Thurn & Taxis 1866 FL from Wiesbaden, April 12 to Veracruz, 50kreuzer paid with Thurn & Taxis adhesives (imperf. 15kr, 30kr and rouletted 3kr and 2x1kr), sent via Hamburg to London, 42kr credited to Prussia, 1sh 2d to England, paid to port ("P.P."), carried per "Seine" to St. Thomas and "Solent" to Veracruz, arriving May 26th, overall toning and professionally restored, fine appearing and rare cover from Thurn & Taxis to Mexico | Price Realized $7,000.00 |
 | Lot #636 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1867 FL from Mexico, September 30 to Elizonda, Spain, franked with 4r Hidalgo ("Gothic" Issue, unusual on mail to foreign destinations), per "Eider" to St. Thomas, "Atrato" to Plymouth (arrived October 18), with 29th October London transit on back, via France and overland to Spain, with "4R" (red) due on arrival, signed Calves, with MEPSI cert. Catalog #45 | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #637 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1868 FL from Tampico, forwarded in Veracruz by "Busing, Mertens & Co.", carried by "Eider" to St. Thomas, again forwarded by "Schon Willink & Co", paying 4d with a British adhesive tied by "C51" in duplex, placed on board the "Shannon" and carried to Kingston Jamaica, arriving on 22nd February, overall toning, otherwise fine | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #638 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1868 Outer FL (side panels missing) from Mexico City, March 13 to Coruna, Spain, with unusual 4+ reales franking ("Gothic Mexico" Issue), by "Danube" to St. Thomas and "Atrato" to the new arrival port of Plymouth (April 28th), then through France to Spain. Rated "4Rs." on arrival, possibly unique with this franking, ex-Marquis de Fayolle. The "Gothic Mexico" Issue, used only from the Mexico City region, is seldom seen on foreign mail covers; only about a dozen have been recorded, with MEPSI cert. Catalog #42,45 | Price Realized $5,750.00 |
 | Lot #639 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1868 Starting in 1865, the Tampico Agency carried a small stock of British adhesives (not available in Veracruz) and used "C63" obliterator to cancel the stamps. A FL from Tampico, February 28 to Mexico City, with British 4p red cancelled "C63," with small "Tampico Paid" cds at bottom, carried by packet "Danube" to Veracruz, with oval merchant's cachet and "4" reales due on arrival, fine | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #640 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1868 Outer FL from Havana, 25 March to Tampico, via the British Postal Agency, double rate paid with block of 4x2p blue, sent by the steamer "Danube", arriving March 28th, with "Havana Paid" cds at bottom, charged "2" in Mexico, some toning, otherwise fine and rare cover from the British Postal Agency in Cuba, signed Holcombe, with cert., ex-Nissen collection | Price Realized $2,900.00 |
 | Lot #641 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1869 FL from Mazatlan to Hamburg, entering the mails at Mexico City, 29 May and franked with perforated 50c Hidalgo (trimmed at right), by British steamer "Tamar" to St. Thomas (January 13) and by "Atrato" to Plymouth, 1 shilling 3 pence debit by England, continuing by direct steamer to Hamburg where it arrived on 30th June, charged 16sgr, fine trans-continental letter to Germany, ex-David Warman collection | Price Realized $1,100.00 |
 | Lot #642 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1870 Cover from Tampico, March 31 to Lugano, Switzerland, franked with 12c imperf. tied by oval, sent by the "Eider" through Veracruz (April 1st) arriving St. Thomas April 12th, then by "Shannon" April 13th arriving Plymouth April 27th. Charged 2 shillings for British service, Anglo-French accountancy box "GB 1f60c" and 150 Swiss centimes due on arrival at Lugano, with Altdorf and Curio transits on back, fine cover to Switzerland | Price Realized $1,300.00 |
 | Lot #643 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1870 FL from Hamburg, 29 December to Oaxaca, with 23+ groshen paid with adhesives of North German Confederation (+gr [defective], 1gr, 2gr and 4x5gr, some faults), carried by ship to England then by a RMSP ships "Elbe" to St. Thomas and by "Corsica" to Veracruz; overland to Oaxaca, rated 4 reales, fine four-color franking from Germany to Mexico | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #644 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1870 FL from Tampico, April 27 to Havana, with small "Tampico Paid" cds of the British Agency, franked with 12c Hidalgo (instead of the British adhesive), taken by the packet "Tyne", with "INDIAS" plus "3" applied on arrival in Cuba on 4th May, signed G.Lami, Calves | Price Realized $950.00 |
 | Lot #645 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1870 FL from Mexico City, 30 August to Havana, franked with perforated 50c Hidalgo, conveyed by steamship "Corsica", British Agency "Paid at Vera-Cruz" crown circle and 4d (in crayon), also September 1st datestamp on back, handstamped "INDIAS" and "3" (for Cuban internal postage) applied on 4th September arrival, fine and rare "Paid at Vera-Cruz" to Cuba, ex-Glassco collection | Price Realized $3,750.00 |
 | Lot #646 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1870 FL from Tampico, 27 February to Havana, franked with British 4p (trimmed by scissors at top and bottom) tied by duplex "C63", with British Postal Agency cds alongside, used in combination with imperf. 12c Hidalgo, carried by the steamer "Corsica" and rated "3" (handstamp applied three times) on arrival, March 7th, some overall toning, fine mixed franking, signed Roger Calves etc. | Price Realized $5,750.00 |
 | Lot #647 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1870 Printed business circular ("Esportacion del Puerto de Guayaquil - Cacao") dated 1869 sent through the British Post Office at Guayaquil, 9 January 1870, prepaid with 4d stamp cancelled "C41", showing the British Postal Agency departure cds, carried by RMSP Co. steamer arriving in Colima, where it was forwarded by "Oetting Hos y Co." to Tepic, with 1/2 real due charged on arrival, fine and rare usage from Ecuador | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #648 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1871 Outer FL originating in New York, 12 December, conveyed by private means to Havana, where it was franked with pair of 4p Victoria (double rate), tied by "C58" duplex and Havana Dec.22 pmks, forwarded and placed aboard the steamer "Eider" (December 27th) arriving at Tampico on 29 December, with 2 reales due from recipient, fine | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #649 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1871 Large part of a FL (side panels missing) from Mexico City franked with perforated pair of 25c Hidalgo, tied by cds, sent to London per "Eider" to St. Thomas and "Shannon" to Plymouth, rated 1 shilling, with arrival pmk, fine | Price Realized $260.00 |
 | Lot #650 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1867-1871 1871 FL from Mexico City to Madrid, franked with 3x25c blue on pink (postal forgeries printed from original stones, with fake overprints) via the steamer "Nile" to London (November 28 backstamp) and through France, charged "8.R" due on arrival in Spain, fine, rare usage of postal forgeries on mail to Spain | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #651 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1871 8fr rate from France (5fr) 1871 FL from Paris, 30 September to Mexico City with 8 francs postage prepaid by applying strip of 3x80c, 2x30c and single 5fr "Empire", via London (2 October) and sent per "Nile" October 20th, arriving St. Thomas October 16th, then by "Eider" October 17th via Havana (October 22 transit), arriving at Veracruz on 27th October, fine letter from Continental Europe, via England to Mexico, with extraordinary franking | Price Realized $10,000.00 |
 | Lot #652 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1870 Ballon Monte to Mexico 1870 FL from Paris, 28 December to Tampico, franked with 80c Laureated, with R.St.Lazaire departure cds, by Ballon Monte "Armee de la Loire" (leaving December 31) to Southampton and by steamship "Neva" (January 17, 1871) to St. Thomas (arriving January 31), then on to Tampico, red "1" on arrival. One of only three known Ballon Monte dispatches to Mexico, fine, Ceres Catalog Value EUR 17,500 | Price Realized $26,000.00 |
 | Lot #653 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1871 Mixed Frankings 1871 FL from Tampico, November 28 to Puebla, sent via the British Agency with 4p British franking (perforations trimmed on three sides) tied by duplex "C63", with British Postal Agency departure cds below, used in combination with Mexico 25c imperf. Hidalgo paying single-weight rate (defined by distance) via the packet "Corsica" to Veracruz, with arrival pmk on back, fine mixed franking | Price Realized $5,000.00 |
 | Lot #654 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1871 Mixed Frankings 1871 British West Indian and Pacific Steamship Co. also operated mail-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and for a short time, starting in 1865 had a contract to carry mail to and from Mexican ports. Very little mail was actually carried however, and while the contract was renewed in 1867, it lapsed the following year. A FL from Tampico, 27 March to Kingston, Jamaica, sent via the British Agency and franked with English 4p, tied by duplex "C63", used in combination with 12c imperf. Hidalgo, with the oval "West Indian and Pacific Steam-Ship Company Limited/Tampico Agency" handstamp on back, St. Thomas transit April 12th and Kingston arrival on 21st April. Although no longer under contract, the WIPS vessels would occasionally take letters when an RMSP ship was not scheduled to call soon. This is probably the only known cover to Kingston, filing fold away from the stamps | Price Realized $7,250.00 |
 | Lot #655 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1871 Italian Dues/Mixed frankings 1871 FL from Veracruz (March) to Genova, Italy, franked with imperf. 12c Hidalgo, sent per "Eider" to St. Thomas (March 16) and "Seine" to Plymouth (April 2), with London backstamp, through France and overland to Italy where it was charged 1.70L with 30c, 40c and 1L postage dues added. A spectacular postage due cover to Italy | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #656 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1872-74 1872 Outer FL from Mexico City, franked with pin-perf. 50c yellow, sent to Paris per "Eider" departing Veracruz December 3rd, via Havana to St. Thomas (arriving December 14th), and by "Moselle" departing the following day, arriving at Plymouth December 28th. Typical exchange markings and "12" (decimes) due | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #657 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1872-74 1872 FL from Mexico City, November 8 to Genova, privately carried to Veracruz, franked with 25c imperf. Hidalgo, forwarded by C.A. Martinez and sent per "Eider" departing November 3rd, via Havana to St. Thomas, then by "Tasmanian" departing November 14th to Plymouth, arriving on 29th November, through France overland to Italy where it was charged 3.40L, with the addition of 1L, 2L and 40c (faulty), fine and spectacular postage due cover to Italy | Price Realized $2,500.00 |
 | Lot #658 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1872 FL from Tampico, May 27 to Veracruz, sent through the British Postal Agency (departure pmks at bottom) with 4p stamp added, tied by "C63" obliterator, used in combination with imperf. 12c Hidalgo, carried by the "Eider", fine and rare mixed franking, with Robineau cert. | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #659 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1872 Outer FL (bottom panel missing) from Tampico, October 28 to Mexico City, franked with British 4p, tied by duplex "C63" obliterator, with British Postal Agency departure cds below, used in combination with imperf 25c Hidalgo (paying double internal rate due to distance), filing folds away from the stamps, one of only two recorded combination letters with 25c | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #660 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1873 FL from Tampico to Bordeaux, franked with imperf. pair of 25c and single 12c, sent per "Corsica" departing June 29th and arriving St. Thomas July 13th, then by "Elbe", arriving Plymouth July 28th, with boxed "GB 1F.60c" exchange handstamp and charged "36" (decimes), with transit and arrival pmks on back, fine | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #661 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1873 FL from Guayaquil, 24 February to Veracruz, franked with British 2sh blue (plate 1), tied by duplex "C41" strike, sent via Panama, with "Panama Transit February 28", by rail to Colon and by RMSP steamer "Tagus" to St. Thomas (March 15 transit on back), then by "Corsica" to Veracruz, arriving March 17th, fine cover from Ecuador | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #662 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1873 FL from Tampico, franked with 12c blue, tied by oval departure datestamp, sent via a British ship to Bordeaux. The triangular handstamp "GB 2F" which usually indicates at least partial transport by a U.S. ship, is overstruck by the "GB 1f60c" accountancy mark, used on mail transported entirely by British ship, with transit and arrival pmks, charged "24" (decimes) due, rare example of mail with dual accountancy markings | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #663 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1873 FL from Papantla to Bordeaux, domestic postage paid with strip of 4x6 centavos (1872 Issue) per "Corsica" departing Veracruz October 3rd arriving St. Thomas October 16th, and by "Moselle" departing the same day and arriving at Plymouth October 29th, with usual exchange markings and "12" (decimes) due charged on arrival, fine and impressive cover, with Holcombe cert. | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #664 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1874 FL from Maracaibo, 29 July to Veracruz, through Curacao (August 21), forwarded at St. Thomas (September 16th) and franked with British 4d cancelled "C51" paying inter-Caribbean postage, with straight line "Franco" handstamped at right, carried via Puerto Rico and Havana by the steamer "Corsica", arriving 26th September, fine and rare letter from Venezuela to Mexico | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #665 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1873 FL from Tampico, 27 March to Veracruz, franked with 12c Hidalgo and tied by oval "Franco en Tampic", conveyed per "Corsica" departing March 28th and arriving March 30th, with British postage paid is shown by the small "Tampico Paid" cds, v.f. | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #666 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1873 FL from Veracruz, January 30 to Tampico, franked with 12c Hidalgo (port to port rate), sent via "Eider", with British "4" (in crayon) postage paid, very late usage of the "Paid at Vera-Cruz" crown circle in black, small tear at top, otherwise fine and rare cover | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #667 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1874 FL from Veracruz, 2 February to Havana, franked with imperf. 12r Hidalgo, sent per "Corsica", arriving 7th February, with British agency "Paid at Vera-Cruz" crown circle handstamp (stated to be the second latest recorded usage), 4d payment indicated by red crayon, with 3 reales due in Cuba for internal delivery, overall ageing, fine. By the mid-1870s, the volume of mail out of the British agency at Tampico was down to between 1,000-2,000 pieces, while Veracruz handled even less. Because of this low volume, the Veracruz agency was closed in 1874 and Tampico in 1876. | Price Realized $2,000.00 |
 | Lot #668 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1874 unfranked FL from Mexico City, 4 March, via Veracruz to Barbados. This letter was carried on the "Eider" to St. Thomas, arriving March 16th, then per "Arno" (March 19th) arriving the same day at Barbados. This is the only recorded pre-UPU Mexican cover to Barbados and the latest recorded usage of the "Paid at Vera-Cruz" crown circle, with "8" (d) paid, appropriate transit and arrival pmks, fine, with appropriate transit and arrival pmks | Price Realized $2,500.00 |
 | Lot #669 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1874 Outer FL from Tampico to Vera Cruz, franked with British 4d and used in combination with 10c Hidalgo (paying port to port rate), both tied by the duplex "C63", with 28 December, 1874 departure cds below, late example of Tampico Agency mail, fine mixed franking combination, ex-Backal | Price Realized $3,500.00 |
 | Lot #670 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1874 Mixed Frankings 1874 FL from Tampico to Mexico City, franked with British 4d, used in combination with 25c Hidalgo, both tied by the "C63" duplex, carried by the steamship "Ebro" to Veracruz and continuing to Mexico City (over 16 leagues distance from port), hence 25 centavos franking. A fine mixed franking combination, one of only two known with perforated 25c | Price Realized $2,900.00 |
 | Lot #671 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1875-78 Italian Dues 1875 Cover from Guadalajara to Rome, franked with 25c blue, tied by departure cds, sent by British ships "Ebro" to St Thomas and "Nile" to Plymouth (arriving July 29th) with 1 lira 80 centesimi in Italian postage dues (3x60c, one defective) annulled because the letter was forwarded to Coblenz, Germany where 25pf was charged (for a letter originating from Italy), appropriate transit and arrival pmks, interesting item | Price Realized $500.00 |
 | Lot #672 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1875-78 Italian Dues 1878 Cover franked with perforated 50c green, paying quadruple-weight from Veracruz to Genova, sent by "Tiber" to St. Thomas and "Moselle" to England (large "T" and 3.30" debit for triple-weight letter), charged 5.10 Lire in Italy by affixing 10c, 1L and 2x2L (one defective) postage dues on arrival in Genova, wax seal removed from back, with transit and arrival pmks | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #673 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1875-78 Porte de Mar 1875 Starting January 1st, 1875, under the 5th Contract, the RMSP packets continued along the same routes but no longer stopped at Tampico and Puerto Rico. A FL from Mexico City, 30 June to Madrid, franked with perforated 25c, carried by "Ebro" to St. Thomas and "Nile" to Plymouth (arriving July 29th), then through France and overland to Spain. On reverse, there is 10 centavos Porte De Mar black. The "T" handstamp and manuscript "110" indicate credit to the British per U.PU. Regulations. (The handstamp combining the T and 1-10 did not come into use until 1876). On arrival in Spain, red "MMMM 1Ps30" (1.30p) postage due handstamp was applied, fine and earliest recorded usage of a Porte De Mar adhesive. These stamps were issued to indicate the amount of cash to be paid to captains of the mail steamers taking outgoing foreign mail. Catalog #JX10 | Price Realized $7,500.00 |
 | Lot #674 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1875-78 Porte de Mar 1878 With the end of the consular agencies in Mexico, the post office had to deal directly with the shipping lines for the transport of mail. The rate negotiated with Great Britain was 10 centavos for a typical letter (considerably lower than the French rate of 31 centavos). The Porte de Mar stamps were used to satisfy the public's desire for some form of evidence that those fees were paid. A 25c stationery entire envelope, opened for display, used December 1878 from Cosamaloapan to Paris, conveyed by "Ebro" to St. Thomas (January 15) and "Nile" to Plymouth (arriving January 30), with 10c Porte De Mar applied on reverse. In accordance with the new Universal Postal Union rules, "T 1-10" (1.10fr) accountancy mark was applied on front, with 16 decimes due on arrival. A great combination cover to France | Price Realized $6,750.00 |
 | Lot #675 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1875-78 Porte de Mar 1878 Cover (opened for display) from Puebla, franked with 25c dark blue, tied by 27 November departure cds, sent to Versailles per "Tiber" departing Veracruz, December 29th, with "T 1-10" accountancy handstamp and "17" (decimes) due. On reverse, there is a 10 centavos Porte De Mar, tied by Marseilles 31 Dec. arrival cds, with. London transit, fine combination cover | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #676 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1878-80 Curacao 1880 Mourning cover from Veracruz, 13 November to Curacao, sent inside another letter by a British ship to St. Thomas, arriving November 27th, forward with pair of 10c Danish West Indies stamps to Curacao, minor cover faults, otherwise fine and unusual usage of mail originating in Mexico | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #677 MEXICO BRITISH SHIPS - 1878-80 Curacao 1878 FL from Maracaibo, 30 November, forwarded at Curacao December 7th by "J. Gaerste and Co." and franked with 25c stamps of Netherlands Antilles (5c and 2x10c), sent via St. Thomas (24 January 1879) to Veracruz on the "Solent", arriving January 28th, minor flaws, otherwise fine Venezuela-Mexico letter, with appropriate transit and arrival pmks, ex-Backal collection. Mexico joined the UPU on 1 June, 1878, after which no charges were applied to properly franked mail from member nations | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #678 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1825 FL from Veracruz , Dcember 31 to Francomount, Belgium, red "Colonies Par Le Havre", forwarded at Philadelphia by "Bons and Laguerman" on 4 September 1826 (eight months delay), via Le Havre and "Over Dinant" (handstamp) by the ship "Stephania", endorsed "11 grams" and "90" (decimes) due, handstamped "T.F.", fine double rate letter | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #679 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1826 Outer FL from Mexico City to Rixheim, with "Colonies Par Bordeaux" black hs, forwarded by "Lentagne, Suberville & Co" (city unknown), with September 12, 1826 arrival pmk, fine | Price Realized $140.00 |
 | Lot #680 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1827 FL from Veracruz, via Bordeaux to Francaumont, Belgium, with "Colonies Par Bordeaux" indicating origin and port of entry, "85" (decimes) due on arrival, also red "T.F.", fine | Price Realized $170.00 |
 | Lot #681 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1827 FL from Paris to Mexico City, with Bordeaux P.32.P linear handstamp and oval company cachet, taken by Le Glaneur "Captain Petit", with red straight-line "Veracruz" applied on arrival, hence obviously forwarded, with internal postage paid, fine | Price Realized $170.00 |
 | Lot #682 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1832 FL from Mexico City, 4 July to Bordeaux, postpaid to Veracruz (red "Franco Hasta el Puerto" handstamp) then by packet ship "Esteva" departing August (?) and arriving in France October 2nd, with boxed "Bordeaux Paq. Reg.", handstruck "15" and rated 24 decimes due, fine | Price Realized $350.00 |
 | Lot #683 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1833 From 1827 to 1835, French ships served Veracruz from Bordeaux, via Martinique and Haiti. Initial contract was with the "Societe Gautier et Brun", then in 1830 the same route was run by "Balguerie et Fils". A FL from Veracruz to Bordeaux, 8 November, carried by the "Antigone" and arriving (according to records) 3 January 1834. The "15" (decimes) was for sea conveyance and "16" (decimes) was rated in France. The boxed "Bordeaux Paq. Reg." is characteristic on mail conveyed by this company, fine | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #684 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1836 FL from Tampico to Bordeaux, carried by "Anselme", slit and disinfected ("Purifiee au Lazaret de Trompeloup" Paillac), rare on Mexican mail, arrived at Bordeaux October 4th, with boxed "Pays D'Outremer" and rated "3" (decimes). From 1835 until late 1862, there was no subsidized direct mail service, which was then handled by private ships to and from Mexico | Price Realized $170.00 |
 | Lot #685 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1842 FL from San Martin via Vera Cruz to Sens, with "Franco en S.Martin" and boxed "S.Martin", both in red, "Outre-Mer/Pauillac 12 March 42" cds indicates origins in the Antilles and port of entry to France, paid to destination at origin (boxed "PD"), with Paris arrival cds | Price Realized $240.00 |
 | Lot #686 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1825-1855 1855 Outer FL from Paris to Veracruz, paying 30c (three imperf. 10c Empire, poor margins, one with a small archival punch), forwarded at Le Havre by "M.J. De Rigoyen & Fils," with "Bureau Maritime" cds in red, carried by the "Leontine" | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #687 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1861 The French military misadventure in Mexico began February 9th, 1862 and their initial force of 3,000, eventually grew to more than 60,000 troops. After an initial defeat at Puebla on May 5th, the French army redoubled their efforts with considerable reinforcements. A small, initially stampless cover dated 10 December, addressed to a naval lieutenant at Toulon (marked "tres presse"- urgent). Taxed on arrival with 10 centimes postage due, readdressed to Brest, with manuscript "Emb sur le Bertholet, Brest" (sailed on the "Bertholet") and further endorsed "sur le Bertholet au Mexique." Carried in the first mail departing to the Intervention Forces in Mexico. The 10c postage due is "X"-ed out in manuscript, because the charge due was a concessionary 3 centimes only. A unique and well traveled cover to a French officer in Mexico | Price Realized $3,750.00 |
 | Lot #688 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1864 Cover to Paris, paying 1.50fr (triple rate with 7x20c, single 10c) "CEM A" in diamond, 19 July, 64 departure cds, per ship "Tampico," arriving in Paris 30 August, red "PD", part of backflap missing, fine | Price Realized $1,200.00 |
 | Lot #689 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1865 Small cover to Paris, franked with 20c and 3x10c Empire, tied by "CEM A" in dots, with corresponding 28 May departure, per ship "Impeatrice Eugenie" departing Veracruz June 14 via Cuba and Fort de France, arriving Paris July 10th, part of the address obliterated, backflap missing, signed Calves | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #690 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1865 cover from Coberon, 15 March, franked with 20c Empire, addressed to the Corps Expeditionaire Mexique, conveyed via steamer "Floride" (cds on reverse), red "PD" (Paid to destination) hs, fine | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #691 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1865 Coverfront from Cherchell, Algeria (November) to Mexico, franked with 80c (pair of 20c, single 40c) to an officer of the CEM, red "PD" ( paid to destination), little toning, scarce incoming mail from North Africa | Price Realized $280.00 |
 | Lot #692 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1865 FL (Death Notice of passing in combat of an officer with the "3e Regt de Chasseurs d'Afrique") from Guaymas, 23 May 1865, to Constantine, Algeria, franked with 20c Empire, tied by "CEMA" (Bureau A) with corresponding 10 August departure alongside, with Paris transit 10 September, arriving in Algeria on 18th September, fine letter from Mexico to North Africa | Price Realized $850.00 |
 | Lot #693 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1865 Correspondences D'Armees cover, 14 June to Rouen, with "Cor. D'Armees" datestamp of the ship "Imp. Eugenie" (style of marking used until January 1866 and for a period when this ship only made two crossings to France), rated 3 decimes on arrival July 10th, fine. Sailors on French naval vessels were entitled to special rates, as indicated by the use of the "Cor. D'Armees" markings | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #694 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1866 FL from Tampico, 7 March to Bordeaux, franked with French 80c Empire (perforations trimmed at top and right), tied by Anchor in diamond dots, taken by Steamer "Sonora" of Ligne F to Veracruz, arriving March 10th, then by the Ligne B steamer "Panama" departing March 13th and arriving in Bordeaux on 8th April, with a perfect strike of "Cor.D.Armees Lig. B. Paq.No.3" cds | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #695 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1866 In September 1865, the Companie Generale Transatlantique reorganized its Caribbean network into six les ("A" - "F"). Ligne "B" served Mexico from St.Nazaire, St.Thomas and Havana. Service to Veracruz continued until 1901. A "charge" cover to France, paying 1fr to destination (two each 20c and 40c Empire, two stamps defective), "Corps Exp. Mexique" Bureau F (Expeditionary Force lozenge and cds), February 1866, carried by "Louisiane", with boxed "AprFs de Depart", Paris transit and Lyon arrival pmks, fine. Registered mail from the Expeditionary Force is quite rare | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #696 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1866 FL franked with 20c Empire, tied by "CEMA" Bureau A, with 26 February "Mexique" alongside, sent via France to Belgium, where it was marked "Affranchisement Insuffisant" (Insufficient Franking), since the reduced rate was only available to France, with 3 decimes to pay, fine letter from an officer serving with the French Foreign Legion (inscription on back indicates that the rate was verified) | Price Realized $2,400.00 |
 | Lot #697 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1861-67 Corps Expeditionaire 1867 Stampless cover from Mexico City to French attachT in London, with instruction to go by a British ship ("Voie Anglaise"), with red "Corps Exp. Mexique V.Angl" cds, but lacking pre-payment, was exchanged at origin, carried by a French ship, with "FR 2F20c" French-English exchange mark, rated 1sh 4d for a double-rated ship letter on arrival in England, also red box "Affranchisement Insuffisant", fine | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #698 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1864 1/2r rate to Germany 1864 Cover from Tulancingo March 6 to Stuttgart (Wurttemberg), franked with +r First Period (district name only) Eagle Issue, conveyed per steamer "Tampico," arriving at St. Nazaire April 18th, then overland via Strasbourg, 27kr charged the recipient, with octagonal "Vera Cruz Paq. Fr." datestamp and other markings on reverse, backflap missing, otherwise v.f., ex-R.M. Taylor collection. The special 1/2 real rate was made available for Austrian and Belgian volunteers (French Foreign Legion) in Emperor Maximilian's army | Price Realized $8,500.00 |
 | Lot #699 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1864 1/2r rate to Austria 1866 Cover from Puebla, March 13 to Vienna, Austria, paying Austrian soldiers' rate with +real Eagle, sent via the French Consular Agency ("Mexique" octagonal datestamp) and steamer "Panama", charged 1 florin 31 kreuzers (triple weight) on arrival, with red Vienna and octagonal "Vera Cruz Paq. Fr. B. No. 3" markings on back, fine and rare cover from a legionnaire serving with Maximilian's army in Mexico | Price Realized $8,000.00 |
 | Lot #700 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1862 Earliest Consular Mark 1862 Beginning in April 1862, the French mail packet system was extended into the Caribbean with a contract to the "Compagnie Generale Transatlantique"; a line from St.Nazaire to Veracruz, via Martinique and Santiago de Cuba. French Troops were also transported by this company's ships including "Louisiane", "Floride", "Tampico" and "Veracruz". Records through July, 1865 and octagonal datestamps bearing the ship's name make it possible to determine which ship carried a particular article of mail. A FL from Mexico City, 12 June to Aurillac, France, franked with 4r black on yellow, received by the French Consular Office in Veracruz, June 15th, taken by the steamer "Veracruz" and arriving in France July 15th and in Aurillac July 16th, charged 8 decimes due, with appropriate transit and arrival pmks on back. The "Veracruz" delivered the consular "Mexique" handstamp immediately prior to this departure, so 12 June is actually the First Date on which it was used. An important item of Mexican and French Postal history | Price Realized $3,500.00 |
 | Lot #701 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1862-63 1862 FL written 10 December, franked with 2r Hidalgo (pre-print fold) and sent from Mexico City to Spain. The letter's text mentions that this is the first mail the French, who were then moving against Puebla the second time, let through, and then only letters going abroad by "extraordinario." This letter was endorsed to go via England but apparently missed the sailing of the British ship "Tampico" December 18th, thus the boxed handstamp "AprFs de depart." Carried by an unknown vessel and forwarded at Bordeaux by "Georges Raffard", with transit and Madrid 28 January, 1863 arrival pmk. A fine example of usage during the French Blockade, ex-Todd collection | Price Realized $1,800.00 |
 | Lot #702 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1862-63 1862 Cover from Mexico City, July 15 to Paris, double weight paid with a horizontal pair of 2r black on pink (also indicated with a manuscript "2"), conveyed via the French Packet "Floride", rated "16" (decimes) on arrival. The "1 Mexique 1" octagonal datestamp on front and the "Mexique-Floride" on the back were applied by the French consulate at Veracruz (which operated until April 1879), fine "semi-mixed" cover, with 1989 Mepsi cert. Illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 109) Catalog #6 | Price Realized $3,750.00 |
 | Lot #703 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1862-63 1862 FL from Mexico City, 11 July, franked with 4r black on yellow, sent to France via steamship "Floride" (octagonal "Mexique-Floride 15 July 1862" on reverse), with appropriate transit and August 13th arrival pmks, rated 8 decimes, fine | Price Realized $2,900.00 |
 | Lot #704 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863 Highest franking 1863 Cover (opened for display) from Mexico City, October 15 to Paris, franked on back with 22 reales (composed of 1861 Issue, vertical strip of 3x2r black on pink and 2x8r green on red brown), carried by the French steamer "Louisiane" (16 October cds), rated by France "11f2" (as a 3+ ounce letter - 14 x 80c = 1.20fr). Cover professionally restored, all markings and stamps intact and fine. This is the highest recorded 1861 issue franking on a foreign destination letter, a wonderful and striking item, one of the gems of this collection | Price Realized $9,500.00 |
 | Lot #705 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - From Manila 1863 FL from Mexico City, 15 December to Le Havre, franked with 1r green, sent via the steamer "Tampico" ("Mexique-Tampico" octagonal postmark on back), rated 2 francs, fine, with arrival pmk | Price Realized $850.00 |
 | Lot #706 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1863 wrapper from Mexico City to Paris by "Voie de St. Nazaire", franked with 1r green and backstamped with postmark of "Mexique-Tampico May 1863", rated "2f 40c" and "16" (indicating 16 times the 15c per ounce rate), this was apparently part of a bundle to the same destination for which this charge was applied since the weight of this one piece required only 1 real for internal Mexican postage, handstamped "Legation de France au Mexique" | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #707 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1863 Outer FL from Paris, paying 30c (10c and 20c Empire) for commercial ships rate (in force until October 1863) sent through the Maritime Bureau at Le Havre (cds), August 21st and placed aboard the "Montevideo" to Veracruz, red "P.D." (paid to destination), fine | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #708 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1863 Incoming FL from Glasgow, 14 October to Mexico City, franked with 2sh British postage to port (red "PP" supporting hs), via France with "Mexique Floride 18 Oct." octagonal ship postmark on reverse. This is the only recorded example of this ship's markings on covers originating from a European country other than France, with London and Calais transits, charged "6" reales due for Mexican internal postage, fine | Price Realized $2,900.00 |
 | Lot #709 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1863 Incoming FL from Glasgow, 14 September, franked with 2sh (pair of Victoria 1sh green) paying postage to port (supported by red "PP" handstamp), sent via London and Calais, with "Louisiane 16 Sept." ship cds on front. Only recorded example of this ship's markings on cover originating from a European country other than France, "6" reales due for Mexican internal postage, fine | Price Realized $2,900.00 |
 | Lot #710 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1864 FL from Veracruz to Bordeaux, with "Franqueado Vera Cruz June 10" departure datestamp, endorsed "Via St Nazaire", with octagonal "Mexique Guienne" datestamp, previously unrecorded out of Mexico. The 14 June date conforms to the schedule of the steamer "Louisiane", charged 8 decimes, with Paris transit and arrival pmks on back, fine and rare cover, with Robineau cert. | Price Realized $800.00 |
 | Lot #711 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1864 Large part of a FL (side panels missing) from Veracruz to Spain, with Mexican postage paid, indicated by sello negro "Correos Franco Veracruz" via the French Consular Agency ("Mexique" octagon) and paid to port of entry ("P.P." in blue) with French 80 centimes imperf. adhesive, cancelled by anchor in dots, carried by the steamer "Veracruz", with 4R due, with French transit and red "Irun" and Burgos arrival postmarks | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #712 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1864 Cover (opened for display) from Mexico City (July) to Paris, franked with 2x4r Eagle (Mexico & 119-1864 overprints, "1" inverted) , sent via French Consular Agency ("Mexique" octagon) with backstamp of the steamer "Mexique-Tampico", rated "24" (decimes) for a quadruple-weight letter, fine, ex-Boris Rubio and J.Paulsen collections, with 1987 Mepsi cert. Catalog #24a | Price Realized $2,000.00 |
 | Lot #713 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1865 FL from Mexico City, 8 March to Bordeaux, franked with 4r Eagle, via Veracruz where it was placed aboard the steamer "Imp. Eugenie" March 19th, arriving St. Nazaire April 15th and Bordeaux next day, charged 8 decimes due, fine, ex-"Aguilas" collection | Price Realized $1,800.00 |
 | Lot #714 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1865 Coverfront from Mexico City to Liverpool, franked with 4r Eagle, carried by the "Louisiane" to France, and then sent to Liverpool. Shows the seldom seen French-English exchange marking "FR/2F20", 1 shilling collected in England, 8 decimes debited by France, some toning, rare | Price Realized $240.00 |
 | Lot #715 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1865 Stampless FL from Mexico City, August 11 to London, via paquebot "Floride" and bearing the ship's postmark ("Mexique-Floride), with "FR 2F20c" exchange mark for letter to England via France, 1sh due, with transit and arrival pmks, fine | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #716 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1866 Large part of a FL (side panels missing) from Veracruz to Spain, with "Franqueado Vera Cruz 12 May", quadruple-weight paid with French strip of 4x80c "Empire", cancelled by anchor in dots, taken by steamer "France," arriving St. Thomas May 22nd and St. Nazaire June 6th, exchanged at Irun June 7th, "16Rs." due from recipient in Santander | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #717 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1866 FL from Guanajuato, June 14 to Hamm, Prussia, franked with 2r Eagle, sent per steamer "Panama" to St. Nazaire and from there by rail to Aachen. The "F48" handstamp signifies exchange according to Article 48 of the Franco-Prussian Convention for letters from overseas, rated "9" (groschen), with French Packet Ligne B, 14 June, 1866 cds (sometime during 1866 post facto in a September circular, a new set of four date-cachets were issued to replace those having the names of ships. These have "Vera Cruz" above and "Paq. Fr. B. No. (1-4)", the numbers corresponding to ships serving Ligne B, those assignments varying from year to year), also "Aus Frankreich per Aachen 12.7. and Bahnhofs 13.7. arrival pmks, filing folds just touching top and bottom of the adhesive, with additional tiny tear at bottom, otherwise fine and rare cover to Prussia | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #718 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1866 Outer FL from Tampico, 10 June to New Orleans, franked with 1r Eagle, carried aboard the steamer Sonora on the short-lived extension of the "F" line, with June 16 arrival cds, charged "Due 3" (cents). Ligne "F" operated from September 1865 to January 1868 servicing Matamoros, Tampico and Veracruz, where it connected with Ligne "B". New Orleans was added in 1866, but was dropped later that year. Mail arriving at the last minute was generally taken by the captain who would post it at the next available port of call. This is the only recorded example of "Ligne Annexe F" to New Orleans | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #719 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1863-66 1866 Cover from Mexico City, July 10 to Vienna, Austria, franked on backflap with 4r Eagle, sent via a French packet, ligne "B" (Vera Cruz 13 July octagonal datestamp), rated triple-weight - "1 florin 31" Kreuzers (noted twice on cover in pen and again in blue crayon). Carried by the steamer "Imp. Eugenie", arriving in St. Nazaire August 8th, with Voslau and red Vienna datestamps on arrival, some paper separations and cover creases, impressive item | Price Realized $2,100.00 |
 | Lot #720 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-67 Mixed Frankings 1866 FL from Mexico City, January 9 to Madrid, via the French Consular Agency ("Mexique" 13 January departure pmk), franked with Mexican 4r Eagle, used in combination with French 80c Empire (faulty), carried by the steamer "France" to Spain, with "4R" postage due handstamp in red, transit and arrival postmarks on back, signed Calves. A major rarity of Mexican and French philately, one of only six such combination frankings recorded | Price Realized $11,000.00 |
 | Lot #721 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-67 Mixed Frankings 1867 FL from Veracruz, January 13 to France, franked with 13 centavos Maximilian (Vera Cruz 128-1866), tied by "Franqueado Vera Cruz" departure datestamp, used in combination with French postage pre-paid with 80 centimes Empire, tied by "anchor" lozenge of the Consular Agency at Veracruz, boxed "PD" (paid to destination) in red. Pre-payment to France was not required, carried by the steamer "Imperatrice Eugenie", Ligne B postmark, plus transit and arrival markings on back, fine and splendid cover, one of only three recorded usages of a Maximilian Issue together with a French stamp, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (plate A), with 1992 Mepsi cert. Catalog #32 | Price Realized $19,000.00 |
 | Lot #722 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1866 FL from Veracruz, December 13 to Genova, Italy, franked with 13 centavos Maximilian Issue (scarce on maritime mail), conveyed per French Packet No. 2 (steamer "Panama"), rated 10 decimes, with Italian distribution and arrival (11 January) markings, fine | Price Realized $3,000.00 |
 | Lot #723 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1866 FL from Paris, June 15 to Veracruz, paying 4fr with perforated strip of four and single 80c "Empire" (one faulty), with "Paris a Nantes 15 June" departure cds on back, via "St.Nazaire", with "P.P." (paid to port) in red, charged "6" reales on arrival , fine | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #724 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1866 FL from Mexico City, 13 October to Paris, franked with 50c green Maximilian, by the steamer "Imperatrice Eugenie" arriving at St. Nazaire on November 13th, with "20" (decimes) due. Maximilian Issues are seldom encountered on maritime covers, particularly the 50 centavos value, signed J.H. Bash Catalog #34 | Price Realized $3,750.00 |
 | Lot #725 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1867 Cover from Veracruz, 14 February to Geneva, Switzerland, franked with 13c Maximilian, carried by steamer "Nouvelle Monde" arriving at St. Nazaire March 14th, then overland via Paris, arriving in Geneva March 16th, triangular "F29" Franco-Swiss exchange mark and rated 200 centimes on arrival, fine and only known cover franked with the Maximilian issue to Switzerland, ex-Cihangir collection | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #726 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1867 Cover from Mexico City, August 10 to Marseille, franked with 4 reales "Gothic" Hidalgo on thin blue paper (fewer than ten foreign mail covers are known with this stamp), taken aboard French Paquebot No. 1 "Panama", August 13th, arriving September 4th, charged "10" (decimes) due from recipient, backflap missing, fine Catalog #45 | Price Realized $1,600.00 |
 | Lot #727 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1867 Outer FL from Mexico City, 10 June to Paris, 14 reales franking with single 2r black on pink and strip of three of 4r red on yellow (Gothic "Mexico"), carried by steamer "France" to St.Nazaire, arriving Paris on 9 July, rated "60" (decimes) for 2 ounces (the rate at this time was 10 decimes per 10 grams), fine and impressive cover, rare franking, with Mepsi cert. Catalog #37,38 | Price Realized $6,000.00 |
 | Lot #728 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1867 Coverfront from Mexico City to Italy, franked with vertical pair 2r (Gothic "Mexico"), carried by the steamer "France" departing Veracruz September 13th, arriving October 10th, rated 20 decimes on arrival for a double-weight letter, fine Catalog #44 | Price Realized $1,600.00 |
 | Lot #729 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1867 Outer FL from Veracruz to Paris, franked with 13c Maximilian, tied by "Franquedo Vera Cruz", with 16 March "Paq. Fr. No.2" of Ligne "B" departure octagonal datestamp, rated "10" (decimes) with 12 April arrival pmk on back, filing folds away from the stamp, v.f. | Price Realized $3,000.00 |
 | Lot #730 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1867 Outer FL from Havana, August 6 to Mexico City, paying 1.20 francs postage for double-weight letter (perforated strip of 4x10c and single 80c "Empire"), faint "Havane" departure pmk, carried by steamer "Panama", with "4" reales due on arrival, fine letter from Cuba with French franking to Mexico | Price Realized $1,100.00 |
 | Lot #731 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1867 Outer FL from Tampico to Bordeaux franked with horizontal pair of French 40c "Empire", tied by Anchor in dots pmk, Mexican postage paid with "Correos Tampic" sello negro, boxed "PD" in red ( postage paid to destination), sent via Ligne F paquebot "Sonora" departing 7 August, arriving at Veracruz August 10th; transferred to steamer "Panama" August 13th, arriving at St. Nazaire September 7th and Bordeaux the next day, fine and scarce "mixed franking" of French adhesives and Sello Negro, signed Pothion, ex-Dubus collection | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #732 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1868 FL from New Orleans, October 9 to Mexico City, carried privately and forwarded at Havana by "J.R. Marquete" on November 1st, paying 60c with a horizontal strip of 3x20c perforated "Empire", with "Havane" departure datestamp, taken by French steamer "Panama", with "4" Reales due on arrival, v.f. | Price Realized $2,800.00 |
 | Lot #733 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1868 Cover from Tampico to Lugano, Switzerland, paying 1.20fr with perforated France 40c and 80c Empire, Mexican postage paid by Tampico May 7 "sello negro", red "PD" hs (paid to destination), carried by the steamer "Sonora" to Veracruz, arriving May 10th and transferred to steamer "Imperatrice Eugenie" May 4th, arriving at St. Nazaire June 11th, then overland to Switzerland, with Curio arrival pmk, fine mixed franking with post-war Tampico sello negro and French adhesives, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 127) | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #734 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1870 FL from Mexico City to Neuchatel, triple weight paid with 50c Hidalgo (1868 issue), sent via French packet "Washington", endorsed "Voie de St. Nazaire" (but without consular agency datestamp) departing Veracruz May 13th (with Ligne B agency datestamp) and arriving at St. Nazaire on 9th June, exchanged under the terms of Article 29 of the Franco-Swiss Convention of 1865, triangular "F.29" accountancy handstamp, charged 1 franc postage due on arrival in Switzerland, fine | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #735 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1870 Outer FL from Mexico City, April 10 to Breslau, franked with pin-perf. 50c Hidalgo, via France per "Washington" and by train to Prussia where the recipient was charged "17" silbergroschen (3sgr domestic charge to Prussia and 14sgr to France), rectangular "F48" accountancy mark (as per the article in the Franco-Prussian treaty), also "66" in red crayon, transit and arrival pmks, scarce | Price Realized $850.00 |
 | Lot #736 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1866-1870 1870 Coverfront to Spain, franked with imperf. 25c blue on pink, cancelled by boxed "Franco Lacouna", with "Polacra Goleta Dalia" ship mark at left, charged "8Rs." in Spain, fine | Price Realized $240.00 |
 | Lot #737 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1871 Bordeaux mixed franking 1871 FL from Mexico City, May 27 to Madrid, franked with 50c Hidalgo (1868 issue), sent through the French Consular Agency at Veracruz, June 13th per steamer "France" (the letter was initially endorsed "Paquete Ingles", then crossed out to "Frances"), with 80c carmine (Bordeaux Issue, margins all around except in at lower left) applied over the Mexican adhesive and cancelled with anchor (French postage had to be pre-paid to France), boxed "PP" handstamp (indicating paid to port), also "1,Peseta" handstamp, due for Spanish internal mail. This is the only recorded Bordeaux cover from Mexico | Price Realized $8,500.00 |
 | Lot #738 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1871-72 1871 FL from Guadalajara to Paris, franked with imperf. 25c, sent via Veracruz (red September 12 departure datestamp), carried by the "Floride", with 12 (decimes) due on arrival in France, v.f. | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #739 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1871-72 1872 Cover from Veracruz, 17 February to Genova, franked with 12c Hidalgo, via the Ligne B packet "Guadeloupe" arriving St. Nazaire March 6th, with credit of 22 decimes to France, handstamped with the French exchange marking "F 30" for mail from the United States to Switzerland. This was applied in error, as a result of misreading the address "Genova" for "Geneva" (even then, "F29" would have been the correct mark for mail from Mexico). The cover arrived in Geneva, Switzerland on March 17th, was resent to Genova, arriving on March 18th where it was charged 2,20 lire postage due, applying pair of 10c and 2x1L adhesives. A great cover, ex-David Warham collection, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 307) | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #740 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1871-72 1872 Cover from Taretan to London, franked with 25c blue on pink (postal forgery), tied by a boxed "France Taretan", sent via Veracruz (red January 13 departure pmk) and Ligne "B" steamer "Nouvelle Monde" to St. Nazaire (arriving February 10th), with "FR 2f20c" accountancy exchange mark for letters going to England through France, redirected within London, cover tears, otherwise fine | Price Realized $300.00 |
 | Lot #741 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1873 FL from Veracruz, January 20 to Spain, franked with 6c Hidalgo (1868 Issue), which by that date was invalid, tied by private cds (fraudulent use), sent via the French Consular Office, with 80c perforated Empire adhesive was added over the Mexican stamp and tied by anchor in dots postmark. Cover was conveyed per steamer "Nouvelle Monde" arriving in Santander, February 16th (Santander was added to the Ligne B itinerary in February 1872). The 80c franking paid way to Spain where 1 peseta postage due was assessed for internal postage, black "P.P." (paid to port) handstamp, fine and rare mixed franking with postal fraud, signed Calves | Price Realized $12,000.00 |
 | Lot #742 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1873 FL from Mexico City, July 1 to Madrid, franked with imperf. 25c red Hidalgo, sent via the French Consular Post at Veracruz (octagonal "Mexique 17 July" departure datestamp), where French 80c perforated Empire was added and tied by anchor in dots postmark, black "P.P." (paid to port) handstamp, sent by steamer "Floride" to Santander, charged "1 Peseta" postage due, fresh and fine mixed franking France and 1872 Mexico issue | Price Realized $4,250.00 |
 | Lot #743 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1873 Outer FL from Havana to Veracruz, 60 centimes paid to destination with pair of 30c Ceres, cancelled by anchor in dots, with "Rafecas Y Ca" forwarding agent's datestamp, conveyed per "Floride", with "P.P." (paid to port) hs, overall toning, otherwise fine | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #744 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1874 Cover from Veracruz to Spain, franked with 10c Hidalgo (lifted and replaced) with French postage totaling 1 franc (10c and strip of 3x30c) cancelled by anchor, added through the French consular office June 17th ("Mexique" datestamp) and conveyed by steamer "Ville de St. Nazaire" to Santander, red "P.P." (paid to port), and rated "4R" due to Spain, minor flaws, otherwise fine mixed franking, with 1993 Mepsi cert. Catalog #107 | Price Realized $5,500.00 |
 | Lot #745 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1874 FL from Mexico City, April 15 to St.Thomas, franked with perf. 25c Hidalgo, sent by Mexican mail to Veracruz, where it was placed aboard the steamer "Louisiane", with pair of France 30c Ceres tied by anchor in dots, corresponding "Mexique 17 Avril, 74" departure datestamp, black "P.P." (paid to port) handstamp, arriving in St. Thomas on 28th April (Last possible use of the Mexican 1872 Issue on French mail since it was replaced May 5th), fine and rare mixed franking | Price Realized $5,750.00 |
 | Lot #746 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1875 FL from Veracruz, 16 December to Havana, per steamer "Lafayette" departing December 20th, franked with 10c Hidalgo and used in combination with pair of French 30c Ceres, cancelled by anchor in dots, appropriate "Mexique" consular octagon and Vera Cruz departure, boxed "P.P." (paid to port), with "3" charged on arrival in Cuba, filing fold and other small faults, signed Brun, Calves etc., with Robineau cert. | Price Realized $7,000.00 |
 | Lot #747 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1875 FL from Veracruz, 18 January to Bordeaux, by steamer "Louisiane", franked with 10c Hidalgo and pair of French 80 centimes stamps placed over and tied by Anchor in dots, arriving in France, February 14th, charged 12 decimes postage due, fine cover, signed Goebel etc., with cert., ex-Backal collection | Price Realized $4,250.00 |
 | Lot #748 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1876 FL from Mexico City, August 14 to Madrid, franked with 25c Hidalgo paying internal rate to Vera Cruz, where French 1.10fr postage (horizontal pairs of 25c and 30c Ceres) was added, cancelled by August 18th Octagons, sent via the "Ville de Bordeaux arriving in Santander on September 12th, additional prepayment of the French ship "Porte De Mar" rate of 31 centavos (strip of 3x2c and single 25c black, two stamps clipped on opening) added on back, tied by "0" (presumably indicating "paid"). A fine and remarkable triple-combination, with Roger Calves cert. One of two recorded covers showing this rate, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 320) | Price Realized $10,500.00 |
 | Lot #749 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1875 FL from Veracruz, 18 January to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, by steamer "Louisiane", franked with French pair of 30 centimes "Ceres" paying the inter-Caribbean rate from St.Thomas, via a ship of "Ligne Annexe E", signed Calves | Price Realized $1,900.00 |
 | Lot #750 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1875 Outer FL paying 5c (circular rate), from Papantla to Bordeaux, carried by the "Lafayette" departing December 20th, rated 20 centimes on arrival in France, 16th January, v.f.. | Price Realized $500.00 |
 | Lot #751 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1877 Cover from Mexico City to Baltimore per "Ville de Bordeaux" departing Veracruz, 18 May, via Cuba and arriving New York, May 28th, franked with 25c Hidalgo (paying internal rate) and French 1.20fr (two pairs of 30c Type Sage) to cover the double inter-Caribbean rate to Cuba only, charged 10c due on arrival in New York, minor backflap flaws, with "Ligne B" and Baltimore arrival pmk on back, ex-C.S.Hamilton collection (I.Heiman, 1961 sale) | Price Realized $4,750.00 |
 | Lot #752 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1873-77 Mixed Frankings 1877 Cover from Veracruz, October 20 to Genova, sent through the French Consular Agency, October 23rd, and by the steamer "Ville de St. Nazaire" arriving in St. Nazaire November 17th. Double-weight (10c and 25c 1874 Issues annulled with zeros by the French) and rated "28" (decimes), 2.80L postage due charge in Italy with the addition of 2x40c and 2L adhesives. The triangle "T" is the UPU due marking introduced in 1876, fine cover to Italy | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #753 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1878 covers 1878 FL from Papantla to Genova, franked with 25c (1874 issue) sent by "Washington" departing Veracruz November 20th (appropriate "Paq.Fr. No.4" datestamp), arriving in St. Nazaire December 14th, with UPU "T" in triangle and rated "14" (decimes), charged 1.40L postage dues with two adhesives, fine | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #754 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1878 covers 1878 Cover from Veracruz to Bordeaux via the Ligne B steamer "Ville de St. Nazaire" arriving at St. Nazaire on 16th April. France joined the Universal Postal Union on January 1st, 1876. Thereafter, "T" in triangle was applied to letters with non-U.P.U. recognized postage. In addition, manuscript "0" on the bottom of the 25c (1874 Issue) indicates it was (correctly) not recognized and "24" (decimes) due was required. While at that time "Ligne B" continued to make only one passage per month, U.S. ships left daily from New York and "Via New York" became the preferred route. Consequently, post-1875 "Ligne B" covers are uncommon | Price Realized $300.00 |
 | Lot #755 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1878 covers 1878 FL from St.Thomas, April 9 to Vera Cruz, per French steamer "Lafayette" arriving at Veracruz April 18th, paying 17c postage with Danish West Indies adhesives (3c, 4c and 10c), fine and scarce three-color franking on Intercaribbean mail | Price Realized $1,900.00 |
 | Lot #756 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1877-78 Porte de Mar 1877 FL from San Juan Bautista, franked with 25c blue, endorsed "Por paquete Ingles." The 10c Porte De Mar adhesive was added on back, with the assumption that it would be carried by a British ship. The letter was sent instead by the Ligne B steamer "Ville de Bordeaux" departing Veracruz February 20th and arriving in St. Nazaire on 21st March, delivered to Bordeaux two days later, with UPU mandated triangle "T" and rated "12" (decimes) due, fine combination cover, with 1994 Mepsi cert. With the end of the Consular Agencies in Mexico, the post office had to deal directly with shipping lines. Each company negotiated different rates for the various routes they served. The Porte de Mar adhesives were used because the public wanted proof of payment of these fees. Since the French Porte de Mar fees were much higher than the British, their service was seldom used. Catalog #109,JX10 | Price Realized $3,500.00 |
 | Lot #757 MEXICO FRENCH SHIPS - 1877-78 Porte de Mar 1878 Mourning cover (opened for display) from Guadalajara to Liverpool, franked with 10c and 25c Hidalgo, also 25c Porte de Mar on back, carried by French boat instead of a British packet as requested ("via Veracruz, Paquet Ingles" endorsement), via the Veracruz French Consular Agency, August 18th, and steamer "Ville de Brest", arriving in St Nazaire September 9th and crossing the Channel to Liverpool on September 11th, with arrival pmk, without postage due, v.f., rare cover, ex-Backal collection | Price Realized $6,500.00 |
 | Lot #758 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1836 "George Washington" 1836 FL from Mexico City to London, forwarded in Veracruz by "Manning, Marshall and Co." (oval handstamp), placed on the ship "George Washington" 4 January 1837 to New York, where it was forwarded by "C.A. and E.H. Eckscher" (manuscript February 3 date). The letter arrived in London on 2nd March, with "Liverpool Ship Letter" box and rated 3sh 2d, fine pre-stamp forwarded item. U.S. ships began handling mail in the Caribbean on a regular basis in 1848, but it was not until April 1853, that a contract was awarded by the government for the conveying of mail directly from Mexican ports. Prior to this, mail was generally placed on U.S. ships by forwarding agents. | Price Realized $190.00 |
 | Lot #759 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1845 Mexico to Paris (5c postmaster) 1845 FL originating in Mexico and addressed to Paris. It was carried inside another letter by a U.S. ship to New York, where it was forwarded by "Juan de la Granja", with 5c New York Postmaster Provisional added on October 22, 1845, tied by red "Paid", paying postage to Boston. There it was placed aboard the Cunard steamer "Hibernia" departing November 1st, via Halifax to Liverpool, arriving November 18th. Passing through London where the "Colonies and Art. 12" Anglo-French exchange mark was supplied, it arrived in France on November 21st, with 15 decimes charged to the recipient, fine and rare letter | Price Realized $7,000.00 |
 | Lot #760 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1848-49 Mexican-American War 1848 Mexican-American War, undated cover from Veracruz set to go via U.S. military mail, but instead was given to forwarding agent "R. De Munoz y Munoz" (oval handstamp on backflap), and the manuscript "10" rate crossed out on front, some cover mending, otherwise fine. Stated to be the only instance known of military mail redirected via private mail | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #761 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1848-49 Mexican-American War 1849 Mexican-American War, FL (origin unknown), "Paid 10c" in manuscript, through Brazos, Texas 10 February (1849), sent to Vermont and redirected to Hatley, Canada, with transit datestamp of Stanstead, L.C. (arrival date of February 29th is in error, as February had only 28 days in 1849), 4+d charge to recipient, Hatley arrival pmk (date filled in manuscript 1 March 49), fine and rare item | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #762 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1849 The Pacific Mail Steamship Company operated between Panama (starting January 17, 1849) and San Francisco, with calls at Acapulco, Manzanillo, San Blas and Mazatlan. A FL (7 November) from Tepic to Lima, forwarded in Mazatlan by Pedro Faure, sent by steamer "California" to Panama, November 22nd, forwarded by unknown agent, 1 shilling "Paid in Panama" (crown circle in red) then by the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer "New Grenada" departing November 27th and arriving at Callao on 9th December. The penciled "2" is the 2r charge in Peru (1r for ship letter and another 1r for internal postage), fine. A rare cover used during the Gold Rush to Peru | Price Realized $2,500.00 |
 | Lot #763 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1849 FL from Mexico, 22 December to Panama with postage paid to Acapulco where it was placed on board a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer, forwarded in Panama, with blue "Franco" handstamp applied in Mexico, fine | Price Realized $475.00 |
 | Lot #764 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1853 A contract awarded to the "Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Co" resulted in the inauguration of the New Orleans - Veracruz mail route on 14 April, 1853, using the company's steamers "Texas" and "Orizava". This was the first of three contracts before the Civil War, and remained in force until September 1856. A FL from New York to Tabasco, Mexico, sent via New Orleans, forwarded there August 1st by "J.W. Zacharie & Co." (embossed oval) franked with 4x3c red (overpaid by 2 cents) and continuing on the steamer "Texas" departing August 13th and arriving Veracruz, August 18th, where it was charged 3 reales due for internal postage. | Price Realized $1,400.00 |
 | Lot #765 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1853 FL from Veracruz (departure pmk on back) to New York, via New Orleans, with red August 26 cds and black "Steamship 20" (for a double-weight letter), carried by the steamer "Texas" (endorsement), v.f. | Price Realized $240.00 |
 | Lot #766 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1855 Outer FL from Hamburg, 27 May sent by a HAPAG packet "Borussia" (N.Y. Bremen packet handstamp) arriving in New York July 1st and retained until October 5th, when it was franked with 10c green (perforated) and placed aboard the U.S. Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Moses Taylor" bound for Aspinwell. Continuing by rail to Panama, then by a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Sonora" to Acapulco where it entered the Mexican mail, handstamped and rated 2 reales, sent to Colima via Manzanillo, received October 9th, some paper erosion, great item | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #767 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1855 Although forerunners of Wells Fargo operated in the 1840s, the company first began its services under the familiar name in 1852. Steamboats were a major part of the West Coast Service as early as 1853, extending service to Mazatlan in early 1855. Outer FL from Mazatlan ("Franco" in wreath handstamp), with "Wells, Fargo & Co. Mex. Coast Messr. October 1855" in blue, addressed, to San Francisco. Apparently the earliest recorded Wells Fargo item out of Mexico, overall ageing but excellent markings | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #768 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1856 Outer FL from New Orleans to Veracruz, franked with vertical strip of 4x5c red brown (top stamp defective at left), tied by September 1 departure cds, sent via the steamer "Texas", 20c U.S. paying postage for a double-weight letter, rated 3 reales on arrival, some paper erosion and cleaning, otherwise fine and incoming letter, ex-Klein collection | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #769 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1856 Outer FL from Mexico City, October 4 to New York, franked with +r and 4r Hidalgo, sent via a non-contract vessel (when the first contractors had defaulted) by private means and placed in the mails in Mobile, Alabama, 20 October 1856. Since Mobile did not have a "Steamship" marking at that time, a "10" cents due handstamp was applied. Manuscript 27 October arrival postscript, addressee's name overwritten by pen, fine | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #770 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1857 Outer FL from San Francisco, June 4 to Mazatlan, by the steamer "John L. Stephens" of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. to Colima, where it was forwarded by "Rucker, Motz y Cia" who added a 2 reales stamp, tied by oval June 12 departure datestamp, arriving at destination 26th June. A fine letter from the United States, with internal franking added in Mexico | Price Realized $325.00 |
 | Lot #771 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1857 Wrapper (with a complete newspaper) originating from Mazatlan, with a red "Franco" (in wreath) and boxed departure datestamp, taken by a Pacific Mail Steamship Company's "Golden Gate" 18 December, via Panama to New Hampshire, probably carried from Panama by the "Philadelphia", arriving in New York on 17 January, handstamped "2" cents due | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #772 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1857 "Department of State U.S.A." endorsed "Official Business" cover from Washington, D.C. to Mexico City, via New Orleans where it was forwarded by the Collector of Customs and placed aboard the steamer "Texas" on 30th September 30th, carried free as official business to the Consul of the United States in Mexico City, arriving in Veracruz, where it was franked with 1r and 2r Hidalgo, tied by October 5 datestamp in oval and forwarded by the U.S. Consul | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #773 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1858 After the original contractors abandoned to New Orleans-Veracruz route, temporary contract was awarded to C.K. Garrison (to expire on July 1, 1858), using the steamers "Texas" (to October 1857) , then "Tennessee". Cover from Minatitlan, dated 11 March in manuscript, franked with pair of 1r Hidalgo, paying 2 reales internal postage, sent by steamer "Tennessee" to New Orleans, with "Steamship 10" and March 24 arrival pmks, little edge toning and minor cover flaws Catalog #3 | Price Realized $1,000.00 |
 | Lot #774 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1858 Outer FL from Mexico City, December 21 to New York, franked with 2r and 8r Hidalgo, paying 10 reales quadruple rate, by "Tennessee" to New Orleans, with January 11th, 1858 and circular "Steamship" markings, departing New Orleans on "Empire City", via Havana, arriving on 1st February. Manuscript "40" rate, additional notes in red ink refer to other correspondence, addressee's name overwritten by pen, fine | Price Realized $1,200.00 |
 | Lot #775 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1858 Outer FL from Panama ,13 February to Mazatlan, via the steamer "Sonora" to Colima, forwarded by "Oetling y Cia" to Tepic, where 1r and 2r stamps were added, tied by boxed "Franqueado an Tepic" in red, forwarded again by "Augsburg Ricke & Co", date inserted by pen, fine. One of only three recorded from Panama | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #776 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1858 FL from Puebla, May 5 to New York, franked with 4r Hidalgo, tied by "Franco Puebla" departure handstamp, sent by "Tennessee" to New Orleans where it arrived on May 10, with "Steamship 10" due, fine first issue letter to a foreign destination, ex-Todd collection | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #777 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1858 cover from Mexico City to New York, franked with two 2x2r green, with manuscript instructions "por el vapor Tennessee", which it obviously missed and went instead by private vessel, as indicated by the straightline "Ship" and "5" handstamps (the rate for under 3,000 miles and representing 3c inland plus 2c to the ship's captain), with New Orleans, 29 January 1858 cds and from there to New York, fine non-contract vessel usage, with 1995 Mepsi cert. Catalog #3 | Price Realized $1,100.00 |
 | Lot #778 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1858 Advertising cover ("Paper and Printers' Warehouse" on back) from San Francisco, franked with 10c green, tied by December 6 cds, to South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts, via the short-lived route through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (endorsed at top). Service on this route was inaugurated 27 October 1858 and lasted until 30 September 1859. Only internal U.S. postage was required. The cover was conveyed by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Golden Gate" to Acapulco, across the Isthmus to Minatitlan, Veracruz (December 20th), then taken by the steamer "Quaker City" to New Orleans, arriving 23rd December. Only a few recorded | Price Realized $5,250.00 |
 | Lot #779 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1859 After the interim agreement with C.K. Garrison expired, a new agreement was reached with Charles Morgan, owner of the "Tennessee", to service New Orleans to Veracruz route. This continued until the outbreak of the Civil War, when the steamer was impressed into the Confederate Navy (February 1861). Outer FL from New Orleans, 15 February to Mexico, franked with U.S. 60c (pair and strip of four of 10c green), paying six-times weight, for internal postage to port, with departure cds, charged 8 reales due in Mexico, filing fold at right, fine and impressive item | Price Realized $2,600.00 |
 | Lot #780 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1859 Outer FL from Mexico City to New Orleans, franked with 2r and 4r (1856 Issue) paying high rate for both double-weight and express service ("extraordinario") to Veracruz, with "Steamship 20" and Jan.12 arrival cds, filing fold at right, otherwise fine | Price Realized $8,500.00 |
 | Lot #781 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1859 Outer FL from Mexico City, June 4 to France, franked with 4r Hidalgo, sent by "Tennessee" to New Orleans, than by another steamer via Havana to New York, and from there by British Packet "Kangaroo," departing July 2nd for Liverpool, charged 12 decimes due from recipient, 22 cents debited by the United States (representing 10c steamship to New York, plus 12c from New York to France), with appropriate markings on both sides, Barcelonnette arrival 19 July, fine | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #782 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1859 FL from New Orleans, August 26 to Monterey, franked with 10c green, charged "2" reales due in Havana, Cuba, with "NA1" (North American Origin indicator), with another "2" charged on arrival in Mexico, fine | Price Realized $525.00 |
 | Lot #783 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1859 Outer FL from Mazatlan to San Francisco, franked with 2r Hidalgo, tied by April 2 departure datestamp, carried by a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer, handstamped "6" cents (ship rate) due for letters to port of arrival. The San Francisco arrival pmk of May 12 indicates that the Mazatlan departure handstamp was probably not reset from April to May, as the normal travel time was 10 days between the two cities, fine and rare item, only a few west-coast recorded, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 244) | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #784 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1860 FL from Lagos to Mantova, Lombardy-Venetia, sent via Mexico City, franked with 1r and 2r Hidalgo, via Veracruz to New Orleans by "Tennessee", departing August 10 by steamer via Havana to New York (August 21 arrival, "6" marking applied by mistake) and by British packet "Europa" (of the Cunard Line) to Liverpool, crossing to France and overland to Italy, rated 27 decimes, with "42" (cents) debited by the United States in manuscript, with 7 September arrival and "Distribuzione 1" pmks, fine cover to an unusual destination, signed Sorani | Price Realized $1,800.00 |
 | Lot #785 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1860 FL from Glasgow, franked with 3x1p, 2p and 1sh (special rate for letters to Mexico via the USA of 1 shilling 5 pence), sent by closed mails, carried by Cunard "Persia" to New York (arriving September 27th), and then again by closed mails to Mexico, rated 2 reales on arrival, fine | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #786 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1849-60 covers 1860 Outer FL from Paris to the U.S. Consul in Vera Cruz, sent by unknown means to New Orleans, where it was "Forwarded by E.J. Forstall" (oval handstamp), franked with 3c red on September 1st, carried by the schooner "Potomac", with no charges assessed in Mexico, some cover mending at top, fine | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #787 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1861 U.S. Civil War (Louisiana cover) 1861 Outer FL from New York, January 8 to Veracruz, via New Orleans where it arrived on January 15th, just after the departure of the "Tennessee". Forwarded in New Orleans by "M.A. de Lazard", franked with 80c (two each of 1c, 3c, 12c and 24c, paying 8-times weight) all cancelled "New Orleans LA Feb" (no day or year) and retained until the next departure on February 2nd - thus present in port during Louisiana's nine days of independence. Rated 9 reales on arrival in Mexico on 5th February. Louisiana seceded from the Union on 26th January and was admitted to the Confederacy on 4th February, being an Independent State for nine days. This was the final trip of the "Tennessee" before it was confiscated and converted to a Confederate warship. A spectacular high value, four color franking, used in Independent Louisiana | Price Realized $11,000.00 |
 | Lot #788 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1861-63 Covers 1861 Cover (partly restored on back) from San Francisco, franked with 16 cents U.S. (10c and pair of 3c) overpaying the rate by 6c, to Guadalajara, via a ship of the PMSC line to Acapulco, where 2 reales was charged for internal postage, fine | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #789 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1861-63 Covers 1862 Cover from Acapulco, 20 September, forwarded by the U.S. Consulate (blue handstamp), sent via the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer to Panama, by rail to Aspinwall, and by U.S. Mail Steamship Co. steamer to New York, arriving October 25th, with "Steamship 10" hs, arrival docketing on back, cover with tear and refolded at top | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #790 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1861-63 Covers 1862-63 Undated, U.S. Civil War era cover, probably originating in Confederate Texas to Bagdad, Mexico with handstamp "Forwarded by Commercial Express Co. Bagdad Mexico" (also a large "Correos" seal) to Matamoros where "Franco" handstamp was added, placed aboard ship to New Orleans where "Ship 8" (double rate) was applied, "Paid" (manuscript) written after Hebert and Escousse paid the 8 cents and forwarded it to the addressee, fine. Although there was considerable "blockade-running" from a few southern ports, the major port cities, including New Orleans and Galveston, had by this time either been captured or effectively blockaded by union forces. The Union navy, however, could not extend its blockade to the Rio Grande, an international river. Thus, Southern cotton flowed westward and down the rive, on the Mexican side (usually), to a port town of Bagdad, a few miles from Matamoros. Here the barges and small steamers, flying the Mexican flag, would take the cotton "outside the bar", where ocean-going vessels, flying under various European flags were anchored, awaiting their turn to load or unload cargo. At the height of the cotton trade, up to three hundred ships might be anchored outside the bar. Bagdad was in fact a secure Confederate outlet to world markets. and unusual blockade runner from Texas to New Orleans, ex-Ferrary collection | Price Realized $2,300.00 |
 | Lot #791 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863 cover from Haiti 1863 FL from Port Au Prince, Haiti to Mazatlan, probably sent inside another cover, carried by the packet "Thames" via Jacmel to St.Thomas. From there, it was forwarded by "Hurtzig and Co" (oval handstamp on back, with 30.11.63 inserted by pen) who placed it in the British mail paying "4" (pence in red crayon) for inter-Caribbean mail to Colon, via "Solent" (arriving December 17th). From there it was sent by rail to Panama, and was forwarded by C.A. Anderson to the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. Agency in Acapulco, which once again forwarded it, this time to its final destination, using the seldom seen Agency's forwarding mark in red. A rare item from Haiti to Mazatlan, Mexico, via St.Thomas, Panama and Acapulco | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #792 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1863 Cover originating at the Gobernador Mine, Baja California, 29 October, placed at the Wells Fargo agency, with oval "Estafeta De Baja California" handstamp in red, through San Francisco where 3c U.S. was cancelled by Wells Fargo handstamp, addressed to San Jose, with boxed "Collect" in blue, cover restored at bottom right, rare | Price Realized $2,200.00 |
 | Lot #793 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1863 FL from Bayonne, France to Guadalajara, placed inside another letter, carried by the "Atrato" from Southampton March 2nd, arriving St. Thomas March 17th, then by "Trent" to Colon and crossing the isthmus by rail. Taken from Panama by a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. vessel to Manzanillo, where it was forwarded by "Oetting y Cia", franked with 1r and 2r Hidalgo and entering the mail at Colima May 5th, fine | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #794 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1865 Outer FL from San Francisco to Guadalajara, carried by the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. vessel, arriving in Mazatlan August 12th, forwarded by "Echeguilan Quintanilla", franked with 4r Eagle, tied by departure datestamp, fine | Price Realized $500.00 |
 | Lot #795 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1865 Cover from Mazatlan to San Francisco, franked with 1 real Eagle, tied by "Franco" in wreath, with Feb.27 arrival and charged "10" cents due, fine and beautiful cover | Price Realized $3,500.00 |
 | Lot #796 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1865 Outer FL from Paris to Guadalajara, franked with France strip of 3x40c Empire, paying 1.20fr through London (April 3rd) and by "Tasmanian" to St. Thomas (April 16th), then by "Tamar" to Colon (April 23rd) via Jacmel and Jamaica. Carried by rail to Panama, with April 24 cds and forwarded by the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. to Colima, then forwarded by "Reich, Schmilinsky & Schacht", rated "4 R" in manuscript, boxed "P.P." (paid to port) in red, fine | Price Realized $1,300.00 |
 | Lot #797 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1865 Cover from Mexico City to New York, franked with horizontal pair of 8 reales Eagle (Mexico 133-1865), tied by Mexico cds, endorsed "Extraordinario" (special delivery) to Veracruz and by Mexico-American Steamship to New York, rated "60" on arrival for a sextuple-weight letter, side panel missing from back, fine and rare cover, with 1998 Mepsi cert., illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 66), ex-"Aguilas" collection Catalog #25 | Price Realized $4,250.00 |
 | Lot #798 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1866 Outer FL (side panels missing) from Mexico City to San Francisco, by the steamer "Manhattan", franked with Eagle + gray and 2r orange (both type V), tied by "Franco Mexico 1 May 1866" cds, with N.Y. Steamship 10 due cds. The extra + real was for sea postage on letters carried by the "Compania Mexico-Americana de Vapores Correos" (an arrangement by special contract announced with Circular 12 dated 10 July 1865), fine, with 1989 Mepsi Cert. Catalog #20d,23 | Price Realized $5,250.00 |
 | Lot #799 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1866 FL from London to Durango, sent per "Seine" departing April 17th, arriving in St. Thomas May 1st, transferred to "Tyne", departing May 2nd via Jamaica to Colon May 8th, by rail to Panama, then by a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. vessel to Mazatlan where it was franked with 2 Reales Eagle, forwarded by "Careaga y Cia" on June 1st and finally received in Durango on 20th June, v.f., with Mepsi cert. Catalog #23 | Price Realized $500.00 |
 | Lot #800 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1866 undated cover from El Fuerte ("Franco en el Fuerte" departure handstamp) to Massachusetts, via Mazatlan, through San Francisco, with July 4 cds, handstamped "10" cents due, also rare "Steam Mazatlan", plus additional "2" on back, minor abrasions, otherwise fine, ex-Knapp | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #801 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1866 FL from Mexico City, February 2 to Paris, franked with +r and 4r paying double-weight (4 reales Eagle Issue pays domestic rate), sent to New York per steamer "Manhattan", "20" steamship (double) rate debited by the U.S. to France, which also charged the recipient "24" (decimes). U.S. to England conveyance by Cunard Line's "Australasian" departing February 21st and arriving 3rd March, fine cover to France via the American and Mexican Mail Steamship Co. | Price Realized $3,000.00 |
 | Lot #802 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1866 Large part of a FL (right side panel missing) from San Luis Potosi to Barcelona, with London transit on back, paying 32 centavos (Maximilian Issues) with 25 centavos internal plus 7 centavos for ship postage to Havana by steamer "Manhattan". From Cuba by British packets "Rider" to St. Thomas, and via "Seine" from there to Southampton, continuing on to Barcelona, charged "8Rs" due with a blue handstamp, fine cover to Spain, rare franking | Price Realized $7,500.00 |
 | Lot #803 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1866 Cover from San Blas to Stonington, Connecticut via San Francisco, July 23 (the cds with breaks in the circles is only known in 1866), franked with bisected 2 reales Eagle Issue, making up the correct 1 real rate for a letter mailed directly from a port and leaving the country, charged "10" cents. Cover tears, still the only known Eagle Issue fraction on a maritime cover | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #804 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1866 Coverfront from Guaymas to Marysville, California, franked with 2r Eagle, sent via San Francisco where the "Steam Mazatlan" and "Steam Manzanillo" handstamps were applied to indicate ports at which the vessel called (the latter in error), also "10" cents due and San Francisco, May cds, fine | Price Realized $375.00 |
 | Lot #805 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1867 Outer FL from Acapulco to Madrid, sent via the Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company to Panama, forwarded by "Hourquet Poylo & Cia", who entered it into the British mails at their consular office (cds), with red London transit cds on back, rated "4R" in red on arrival in Spain, fine | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #806 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1863-67 covers 1867 Outer FL from Veracruz, franked with 13c Maximilian, tied by February 11 cds, conveyed per "Alabama" to New York, with "Steamship 10". One of two recorded covers to the U.S. with the Maximilian Issue, ex-Todd collection | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #807 MEXICO SPANISH SHIPS - 1856-1877 1868 cover from San Blas to San Francisco, 3c Nesbitt entire bearing Wells Fargo & Co. "Paid" frank, cancelled by the twelve-tipped mute strike, with Mexico 25 centavos 1868 Issue franking at bottom left tied by "Franco S.Blas" in oval, 7 cents due in blue crayon (the contract rate was 10 cents, with the 3c envelope frank having been subtracted from the normal 10c due charge), endorsed "All relating to Mexico" at left, backflap missing, fine and rare mixed franking entire, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein collection, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (color plate 6) | Price Realized $5,250.00 |
 | Lot #808 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1868-69 Wells Fargo 1868 FL from Mazatlan, April 2 to Mexico City, originally placed inside another letter carried by a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. ship to Acapulco where it was forwarded by "Dualda Lezarraga" who affixed an 1861 adhesive (2r black on pink, without district name) and placed it in the mail, with 17th April arrival pmk. This is the only recorded provisional usage of 1861 2r from Acapulco, with 1991 Mepsi cert. Catalog #8c | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #809 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1868-69 Wells Fargo 1869 Cover from Mazatlan, with 3c U.S. Wells Fargo Paid entire cancelled by blue "Wells Fargo Mazatlan Mexic. Nov." strike, also with 12 centavos Mexican stamp at bottom tied by November 15 Franco Mazatlan datestamp, addressed to San Francisco. The Wells Fargo frank includes "Paid over our Mexican and California Express --25 Cts", which probably explains the absence of the usual 7 cents due, fine mixed franking | Price Realized $4,750.00 |
 | Lot #810 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1869 Outer FL from Hamburg, April 12 to Tepic, via England, triple-rate 72 3/4 Groshen (North German Confederation) pre-paying postage to Manzanillo, the port of entry. Conveyed by a British steamer to London (6sh 6p charged to Germany), then per "Shannon" from Southampton to Colon (May 8th). Overland to Panama, then by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. "Golden City" to Manzanillo. The "6" reales paid by Colima Forwarder "Oetling and Co." was not accepted and 75 centavos was paid with 25c and 50c adhesives, which were placed over the "Franco en Manzanillo" handstamp. The cover finally arrived at Tepic on 28th June. An interesting and well traveled cover, illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 250) | Price Realized $4,000.00 |
 | Lot #811 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1869 cover to USA, franked with 12c green, tied by boxed "Paso El Macho" handstamp, part of a New York ship Feb.12 pmk, some cover mending, otherwise fine | Price Realized $230.00 |
 | Lot #812 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1869 FL from Puebla to New York, franked with 2x25c blue, sent per "City of Mexico" departing September 23rd, arriving October 6th, with "N.Y. Steamship 10" rate cds, fine | Price Realized $260.00 |
 | Lot #813 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1869 FL from Papantla to New York, franked with 25c blue, sent per steamer "Cleopatra" departing Veracruz December 4th, arriving December 16th. With "N.Y. Steamship 10" cents due, fine | Price Realized $200.00 |
 | Lot #814 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1869 FL from New York to Veracruz, franked with 10c orange (1869 issue), per steamer "Cleopatra", arriving October 24th. The ship returned to port October 4th and was delayed until October 11th, v.f. | Price Realized $700.00 |
 | Lot #815 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1870 FL from Hamburg to Laguna, sent by HAPAG Line steamer "Holstatia" departing January 15th and arriving New York January 28th, where 10c U.S. franking was added by an unknown forwarding agent, then via "City of Merida" to Campeche, arriving on 7th February, with 2 reales due, overall toning, scarce usage from Germany, via New York | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #816 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1870 cover from Mexico City (September) to New York, franked with 25c, 50c and 100c 1868 Issues from different districts (which is unusual), with New York, Sept. 19 arrival, charged 12 cents postage due (quadruple-weight), minor cover flaws, fine and colorful cover | Price Realized $3,000.00 |
 | Lot #817 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1871 FL from Papantla to Bordeaux, franked with pair of 6c and single 25c, paying 37c by "City of Mexico" to New York, then by British open mail (Cunard steamship "Abyssinia" departing New York August 26th) through England to France, exchanged at the rate of 2 francs per 30 grams (GB 2F accountancy marking) with 5c going to the U.S., Charged "24" (decimes) in France for a double-weight letter, fine | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #818 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1871 Small cover from Queretaro to Toulouse, France, franked with 25c blue (1868 issue, thick figures), tied by boxed "Franco Queretaro" departure hs, paying internal postage via New York, with "GB 3f60c" used for unpaid letters coming by U.S. steamer "City of Mexico" arriving December 23rd (after expiration of the U.S. - French Treaty on 1 January 1870) and then forwarded by British Steamer "Cuba" departing December 26th to France arriving January 6th. Charged "15" (decimes). The U.S. debited England only "5" (circled) cents instead of the usual 12 cents because it arrived via a subsidized ship, fine and interesting example of partial prepayment of rates in stamps to Europe, with Holcombe cert. | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #819 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1871 FL from Manchester to Acapulco, franked with British 4x6p and 2x1sh, leaving Liverpool by a Danish ship ("Venezuela") to St.Thomas, then by a British ship to Colon, by rail to Panama, where it was forwarded by "Hourquet, Poylo & Co." (oval handstamp), who paid "55" cents for carriage by the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. vessel to Acapulco, filing folds, some toning, otherwise fine and striking letter | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #820 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1871 FL from Manchester to Acapulco, franked with British 1p and 4x1sh, leaving Southampton by a Danish ship ("Kronprinz Fridrich Wilhelm") to St.Thomas, then by a British ship to Colon, by rail to Panama, where it was forwarded by "Hourquet, Poylo & Co." (oval handstamp), who paid "40" cents for carriage by the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. vessel to Acapulco, filing folds, some toning, otherwise fine and striking letter | Price Realized $950.00 |
 | Lot #821 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1871 Outer FL from I Del Carmen, forwarded in Merida by "Benito Azner Perez", franked with 12c and 50c paying 62c by the "City of Mexico" to Veracruz, fine internal ship mail | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #822 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1872 FL from Acapulco to San Francisco, franked with 25c red (2-72 Acapulco), transported by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. vessel (the company's contract started 31 March 1872), with oval "Steam Acapulco" applied on arrival at San Francisco where it was also rated "6" (for a double-weight letter), filing folds, otherwise fine, with 1988 Mepsi cert. Illustrated in Mexican Maritime Mail (page 271) | Price Realized $3,250.00 |
 | Lot #823 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1872 Outer FL from Manchester, franked with pair of British 3p, per steamer "Abyssinia" to New York, arriving May 24th, then overland to San Francisco (with May 31 arrival cds), forwarded by "Lemmen Meyer" (manuscript departure in company's oval) to Mazatlan, Mexico, arriving on 1st July, fine, with Proschold cert. Catalog #SG 102 | Price Realized $350.00 |
 | Lot #824 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1872 Outer FL from San Francisco to Guadalajara, with forwarders' handstamps "Thomas Bell, San Francisco", "Leptien y Lieckmann, Manzanillo" and "Schact & Ca., Colima", where 25c adhesive was added, some hinge marks on back, fine triple-forwarded letter | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #825 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1872 Coverfront from Veracruz to Genova, triple-weight with 50 centavos (1872 Issue) franking, carried by "City of Mexico" to New York (arriving September 29th), then by Cunard steamship "Java" (October 2-11) and to Italy by way of England and France, "30" debit to France the U.S., 5.10L due in stamps (10c, 1L, 2x2L) on arrival from the recipient, some faults, ex-Garcia Larranaga | Price Realized $525.00 |
 | Lot #826 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1872 F. Alexandre & Sons Line (Veracruz-Sisal-Havana-New York Route). The basic United States rate for ship letters was 10 cents (3 cents of which was for internal delivery). FL from Merida, June 8 to New York, franked with 12c (the 1868 Issue had actually been demonetized by this date), via the "City of Merida", with June 19. New York Ship, 3 cents due on arrival (the other 7 cents was not charged, because F.Alexandre & Sons was subsidized by special contract with the government of Mexico), fine cover, ex-David Warman collection | Price Realized $280.00 |
 | Lot #827 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1872 Outer FL from Mexico City, franked with 50c yellow and sent to New Orleans, with Nov. 12 arrival and "Steamship 10" due, blue Mexican seal on back, fine | Price Realized $325.00 |
 | Lot #828 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1873 FL from Puebla, franked with 2x12c and 25c, paying 49c through Veracruz, taken by the "City of Mexico" which stopped in Sisal (on its way to New York), then carried overland to Merida, fine | Price Realized $400.00 |
 | Lot #829 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1873 FL from Papantla to New York, franked with 25c, departing Veracruz on the "Cleopatra," arriving December 29th, "New York Steamship 3" (3c due from recipient), fine | Price Realized $350.00 |
 | Lot #830 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1873 FL from Mexico City to Brownsville, franked with 25c and sent via New York (deposited there because it was picked up at Veracruz on the "Cleopatra's" return trip), with "N.Y. Steamship 3" paid by recipient, some toning, otherwise fine | Price Realized $240.00 |
 | Lot #831 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1873 FL from Acapulco to San Francisco, franked with 25c red, charged "3" reales to recipient, also with San Francisco Steamship, Oct. 5 arrival cds, and "Carrier" October 6 pmk on back, fine | Price Realized $550.00 |
 | Lot #832 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1873 Printed circular from Acapulco to Colima, franked with 6c green, endorsed "per Vapor via Manzanillo", fine | Price Realized $250.00 |
 | Lot #833 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1874 Outer FL from New York per "City of Mexico" to Veracruz, 50c paid with U.S. stamps (2x10c and 30c, Scott's No. 154,161), arriving March 26th, charged 8 reales due, fine cover to Mexico, with 1985 PFC | Price Realized $900.00 |
 | Lot #834 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1876 FL from Mexico City to London, forwarded to New York by "City of Havana," arriving September 12th, there forwarded by "Fred Probst and Co.", with U.S. postage paid with a 10c adhesive, then carried by Cunard steamer "Abyssinia" arriving London on 23rd September, fine example of late forwarded mail | Price Realized $325.00 |
 | Lot #835 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1875 cover, actually 3c U.S. stationery entire, franked with 25c Hidalgo and used from Mexico City to Paris, per "el Paquete Americano" (U.S. ship "City of Merida"), with March 17 "New York Br. Transit" cds, then by a Cunard steamer "Cuba" to France, via London. U.S. "50" debit marking, also 24 decimes due on arrival. Cover refused, with red "Rebuts de Paris" 31 March cds on back, returned to the U.S. Dead Letter Office (handstamped entry number "328"), fine and scarce mixed franking | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #836 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1876 Outer FL from Mexico City to New York, with 1 peso 35 centavos franking (5x25c and single 10c) for ten times the weight of an ordinary letter (about 2+ oz), carried by "City of Merida" to New Orleans, with "ship" handstamp in blue, May 5 arrival, charged "due.18", also same in blue crayon, fine | Price Realized $750.00 |
 | Lot #837 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1869-77 covers 1877 Cover from Veracruz to Genova, franked with 10c black, carried by "City of Mexico" arriving at New York November 6th, then by an American packet to England and via France to Italy, with 45 centesimi postage due charged in stamps on arrival, fine | Price Realized $450.00 |
 | Lot #838 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1876-77 Porte de Mar 1876 Cover (opened for display) from Mexico City, 20 May to Philadelphia, franked with 25c Hidalgo, also with 10 centavos Porte De Mar on back, which was unnecessary because there were no "Porte De Mar" charged to the U.S. The letter was charged 5 cents due however, for a non-contract ship, advertised, "Unclaimed" and retired to the Dead Letter Office, with triangular July 31 handstamp, cover faults and reinforcements, still fine and unusual item | Price Realized $1,700.00 |
 | Lot #839 MEXICO U.S. SHIPS - 1876-77 Porte de Mar 1876 10 centavos stationery entire envelope (opened for display), from Triunfo, Baja California to Nantes, France, endorsed "Paquet Frances", but sent instead via a U.S. Packet, with handstamped "T" in circle and 35 centimes debit by the United States, bearing "Etats-Unis v. Angl. Amb. Cal F" mobile exchange office cds, indicating transport on a British steamer. On the reverse side there is 10c Porte De Mar (tied by oval "Agencia del correo en Triunfo"), which was actually superfluous as the letter was carried on a subsidized line to New York and as 'closed mail' on the British ship. Charged 1.05fr Postage due, returned unclaimed, with triangular Dead Letter Office datestamp on back, fine and remarkable cover | Price Realized $6,750.00 |
