1898 (5 May) registered cover franked with Philippines 3c brown and 5c rose, canceled by framed "CERTIF.", addressed to Tarlac, Philippines, with "Marianas" departure cds alongside, docketing on front indicates that the cover was mailed on "5-5-98" from Marians, framed "D.L.O. Record." and red "Undeliverable Military Sta. No.1 Manila, Phil. Islands" handstamps, with additional "Registry Branch Correct Dead Letter Office" (Oct 18 1899) datestamp on back, cover tears, interesting and rare Marianas/Guam forerunner (Image)

Est.US$1,000

1899 2c dark blue (pair), used with 6c dark blue, all overprinted "Marianas Espanolas", tied by large oval "Gobierno P.M. Yslas Marianas" in violet on cover addressed to Manila, with "Mil. Sta.No.1 Manila, Phil.Islds Rec'd" (Dec.11 4 30PM 99) arrival pmks on blue and red on back, faint toning and minor cover tear at bottom, signed Bartels, with 1991 Graus certificate. A considerable rarity as 50 copies of 6 centavos value were issued, only four (!) recorded on cover, cat. $6500 (Cat No. 1,4) (Image)

Cat. $6500, Est.US$2,500

1899 2c dark blue and 8c gray brown, overprinted "Marianas Espanolas", tied by large oval "Gobierno P.M. Yslas Marianas" in black on cover addressed to Manila, endorsed "Vapr Uranus", with "Mil. Sta.No.1 Manila, Phil.Islds Rec'd" (Dec.11 99 4:30PM) arrival pmks on blue and red on back, some toning and filing folds away from the stamps, signed Herbert Bloch (like the Carolines, the Marianas used stamps of the Spanish Philippines on its infrequent mail. Because of theft of large stocks of these stamps from a warehouse in Manila, the Spanish governor ordered the overprints on small quantities of six denominations. There was only single mail dispatch on the steamer "Uranus", which sailed from Saipan on 29th November, 1899) (Cat No. 1,5) (Image)

Est.US$1,000