#2, 5 1850 12c Lilac and 10r Green, two pairs, the higher denomination being outstandingly fresh, the former just touching at right, displaying clear to very large margins in other respects, delightfully tied by three strikes of the spider type cancel on wrapper from Valladolid to Palencia, being judicial correspondence as denoted by "S.N." -Servicio Nacional- heading for official correspondence, dated May 16, 1850 as confirmed by "Baeza" red datestamp in center, usual folds to front as regularly found in this large format, of absolutely not importance, an extraordinary franking, one of less than five covers recorded bearing a pair of 10 reales, which is the highest denomination in the first issue and was very seldom used; a true rarity of striking visual appearance due to its freshness; 2007 CEM and Comex certificates (Edifil #2, 5). (Image)

Est. $15,000-20,000

#12, 14, 15, 1853, 6cu Rose, 2 r. Vermilion, 5r Yellowish green, the 2 reales, single, just cut into or shaved in two very small places not detracting, otherwise mostly wide margins, together with two 6cu single example, and 6r vertical pair, all cancelled by oval grids on December 24, 1852 wrapper front from Valencia, endorsed "S.N." -Servicio Nacional- at top applied on judicial mail, small portion of paper loss to cover front in bottom right corner which has been restored, of no importance for this, a unique three-colour franking and one of only three items recorded bearing this 2 reales; the 1853 2r is one of the scarcest values used on cover in the whole Spanish classic period, being even scarcer than the renowned 1851 2 reales due to its rarity, the early 2 reales values used on cover are regarded as the most significant usages of Spanish philately; Scott $22,500 2r on cover which corresponds to front for this value (Edifil #12, 15, 16); ex-Perpiñá and Alemany. (Image)

Est. $7,500-10,000

1855-64 group of five used large multiples, including 1855 1r in block of 12 (3x4), 2r block of 15 (5x3), 1862 2r in an outstandingly fresh horizontal block of 12 and block of 24 (4x6), as well as 1864 2r in block of 25 (5x5), all cancelled by "rueda de carreta" datestamp, except the 1r multiple which shows a barred oval cancellation, some usual minor faults as usually encountered in these large multiples, a fine and rare group featuring spectacular pieces for exhibition. (Image)

Est. $400-500

Spain mint and used collection filling one stockbook and two Leuchturm albums, the classic period display being mainly used, including 1851 5r and 6r, 1853 6r, 1865 12cu framed inverted, very scarce 1865 19cu with few perforations missing, 1866 19cu, later the better sets to 1876 are incomplete in absence of the 10p, onwards mint with 1878 10p, 1889-99 "Pelón" set complete, some better values in an incomplete 1901-05 "Cadete" set, 1905 "Quijote" set with the 10P signed by Rendon, following a quite incomplete period to 1950, however couple of better sets are to be noted including 1931 airmail imperforate "Montserrat" and 1938 "Submarines", also some strength in modern with 1950 "Centenario" set apparently n.h., airmails with 1950-51 "Caudillo a Canarias" with control number, some faults to be expected mainly in part of the classics, generally fine-very fine; to be accurately examined.

Est. $1,000-1,500