The Scarcest Mint Stamp of the Classic Issues of Venezuela. 1859, ½r. yellow, featuring an uncommon dark lemon shade, margins ranging from wide to predominantly large, original gum. . Dr. Santiago Hernández Ron states in his handbook, "Orígenes de las Dos Primeras Emisiones de las Estampillas de Correo de Venezuela", that the General Postmaster, José Márquez Salcedo, on 22 February 1859 spoke to the Treasury Secretary about the need for a new printing of stamps, due to the shortage of supply in the post offices already at that time. On 1st. March, the Treasury Secretary ordered the requirements in order to proceed with the printing of new adhesives and, on 24th. March, the printer Enrique G. Neun commenced the first reprinting of the three First Issue denominations. On 5th. May, the new printing was completed and the stamps placed at the disposal of the National Audit Office. The ½ Real denomination was consigned to the General Postmaster on 24th September. Only eight unused examples of the ½ Real first coarse printing are recorded, with only five possessing original gum -the others without gum-, this being the scarcest mint stamp in classic Venezuelan philately. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Hubbard and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €5,000-7,500

1859, ½r. yellow, touched at bottom right, nevertheless with large margins for the most part, delicately tied by "Valencia/Abril 20/1859" three-line handstamp with small lettering in the month, on single weight cover carried for the first distance between Valencia and Puerto Cabello. A delightful and scarce cover. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Hubbard and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €200-300

1859, ½r. yellow, cut into slightly in part of left margin, otherwise full to large margins, on entire letter endorsed "2° Correo 11/10/59" from La Guaira to Caracas, carried at single rate for the first distance, tied by superb "Correos/La Guaira" cds in blue dated 11 October (1859, as confirmed in the docket inside), representing the earliest recorded usage of the ½r. first coarse impression value.. According to Dr. Santiago Hernández Ron, the ½ Real first coarse impression was consigned to the postal administration on 24th September. Hall and Fulcher, in "The Postage Stamps of Venezuela" handbook stated the first usage of this issue to be 12 November 1859, proved by a ½r. cancelled by a Valencia datestamp; on the other hand, Wickersham, in an article published in "The Collectors Club Philatelist" magazine in November 1953, recorded the 30th November as the earliest date known. Thus, this cover pre-dates by more than a month the earliest usage recorded by these renowned experts. Cert. Moorhouse (2011), signed Holcombe.Provenance: Heister. (Image1)

Est. €2,000-3,000

1859, ½r. yellow-orange, complete to wide margins, on entire letter addressed to Caracas, datelined on 20 August 1860 at Maracaibo, although it was posted at La Guaira where it entered the national mail, in a locality which was the port of communication with the destination, tied by blue c.d.s. of La Guaira on 10 September, showing forwarding agent "Egger & Fourmagucia/La Guaira" oval cachet on back, this company being responsible for the carriage in the portion of the journey from Maracaibo to La Guaira. The only first-issue cover so far recorded with involvement of a forwarding agent. Cert. Martínez (2018). (Image1)

Est. €5,000-7,500

1859, ½r. yellow, two examples displaying full to very large margins, one featuring very prominent colourless spot below the shield, both tied by "Correos/Dic 18/La Guaira" blue c.d.s., on 1860 entire letter to Caracas. This is the only cover known bearing this prominent plate flaw -discovered by Dr. Knut Heister-, which is the most spectacular recorded in this value, with only two further examples off cover so far recorded. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Heister. (Image1)

Est. €300-400

The Largest Known Franking of the First Issue ½ Real. The Largest Recorded Used Multiple of the ½ Real First Coarse Impression. 1859, ½r. yellow, the extraordinary block of nine, displaying a bright shade and surrounded by three margins ranging from clear to large, fourth just touching at base, applied on reverse of 9 March 1861 cover not exceeding 3 ounces, endorsed "Pr. 1er Correo" from Caracas to La Guaira, the localities being less than 25 miles apart, tied by "Correos/Caracas" c.d.s.'s.; the multiple removed from the cover and hinged back into place, which was also vertically torn through centre on opening and rejoined, with a minute surface scuff at left, of no significance for this important item. In addition to being the largest multiple recorded of the ½ Real first coarse impression, this cover also represents the highest franking known of this first issue denomination in any of the three printings. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Hubbard and Heister (Image1)

Est. €25,000-30,000

1859, ½r. yellow, mostly large margins used on single weight cover to Caracas for a distance up to 100 miles, tied by "Valencia/Abril 8/1861" three-line handstamp with large lettering in the month. Filing fold slightly affecting the right-hand design, barely detracting from this visually attractive and unusual multiple franking. Cert. Moorhouse (2011). (Image1)

Est. €300-400

1859, ½r. yellow, strip of seven in deep shade, apart from the upper margin being touched in places, mostly large margins on other sides, on 6 July 1861 cover from Caracas to La Guaira, endorsed "Pr. 1er Correo Julio 6", tied by blue "Correos/Caracas" c.d.s.'s, weighing up to 2½ ounces and covering a distance within 25 miles, corresponding to the 3½ Reales paid. Vertical crease through the first adhesive at right, hardly visible. The largest strip recorded on cover of this stamp, in addition also being the second highest franking known bearing this value. Cert. Moorhouse (2011), signed Holcombe.Provenance: Bustamante and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €5,000-7,000

The Two Complete Sheets Recorded of the 1 Real Coarse Printing. 1859, 1r. blue, complete sheet of 100 (first setting) with original gum, featuring 100 different types, in a rich deep shade with a detailed impression which is characteristic of an early printing state, thus not showing the plate flaw in position 11 which has been recorded in a later coarser printing. Large spacing all round, showing the characteristic misplaced alignment of transfers at right. Few creases affecting some units which are not visible on front, as well as three minor thin spots, only mentioned for accuracy, and an unusual attractive state of preservation. An impressive exhibition piece, of which only two such sheets are recorded, this boasting the added attraction of the clear impressions, which aids the precise identification of plating characteristics. Cert. Moorhouse (2011) and Holcombe (1993).Provenance: Bustamante and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €10,000-15,000

1859, 1r. blue, complete sheet of 100 (first setting) with original gum, featuring 100 different types, in this case showing the plate flaw in position 11 featuring colourless spot under "DE" which is characteristic of a later printing of this first coarse printing, also displaying the usual misplaced alignment of transfers mainly at right, as well as an uneven intensity of shade, due to either an uneven inking of the plate or the poor quality of the ink. Usual minor creasing barely visible on face, small surface scuff in position 55 and pin hole, which are faults to be expected in such a large multiple. Another example of this complete sheet, of which only two are recorded, with this this sheet contrasting to the other as originating from a later impression. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Wickersham, Von Lind and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €10,000-15,000

1859, 1r. blue, setting of 200, and ½r. orange, second coarse printing, predominantly large margins, tied by "Correos/La Guaira" c.d.s.'s in blue, on 4 November 1861 cover (three back flaps missing) to Caracas, paying the triple weight letter rate. Only two covers are recorded exhibiting this bi-colour franking, each one originating from a different locality. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Heister. (Image1)

Est. €3,000-5,000

The Venezuela "Dale-Lichtenstein" Cover. One of Only Two Recorded Bearing a Bisected First Issue 1 Real. 1859, 1r. blue, upper left diagonal bisect displaying large even margins, used as ½r. paying a single weight letter rate not exceeding 25 miles, beautifully tied across cut by "Correos/Oct 21/La Guaira" c.d.s. in blue on cover to Caracas.. The use of bisected 1 real adhesives, as in the case of the 2 reales bisects, was not due to a shortage of adhesives of lower denominations. The practice of bisecting the 1 real stamp seems to have been officially tolerated and executed. On page 31 of the book "Orígenes de las Dos Primeras Emisiones de las Estampillas de Correo de Venezuela" published (1956) by Dr. Santiago Hernández Ron of Venezuela, a detailed account is listed of the quantities of denominations, belonging to the first coarse printing, which were sold by the postal administration, as follows: ½r. 250.000 (all); 1r. 72.741 and one half; 2r. 51.359. The fact that the report mentions one half of the 1 real denomination clearly proves that the practice of bisecting adhesives occurred. This research was based on several documents from various public bodies including, among others, the Treasury Department archive.. One of only two known bisected usages of this first issue denomination. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Dale-Lichtenstein and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €12,000-15,000

1859, 2r. red, the significant block of four printed on bluish paper, a characteristic which is believed to confer proof status to this printing, positions 56-60 / 66-70, sheet margin at right, ample even margins on three sides. Minute thin speck and corner crease at bottom left, which are of irrelevance for this item. This is an important multiple, being the only recorded of this unissued printing on bluish paper, which is believed to be of proof status. An unquestionably significant rarity in the early postal events of Venezuela. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Lilly, Hubbard and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €3,000-4,000

The Multiple Exhibiting the Largest Number of "Tête-Bêche" Pairs in Private Hands. 1859, 2r. red, the astonishing tête-bêche block of six, -positions 3-4-5 in the horizontal row of 20 tête-bêche pairs, as stated by Wickersham in his handbook-, featuring an uncommon brownish shade, wide balanced margins on all four sides, except for a small portion of top right adhesive which is cut into at its upper left corner, with original gum. Usual creasing including one crease affecting an inverted unit, with one of the other inverted units having gum creasing, and a closed tear impinges on one of the upright units but does not affect the inverted transfers; none of these imperfections being of any significance for this gem. One of the greatest items of Venezuelan philately, as well as a gem of South America, recorded as the most important multiple in private hands exhibiting tête-bêche pairs, as this item contains the largest number of this variety; thus confirming the immense significance of this item -tête-bêche items ranked amongst the greatest gems in various Latin American countries-. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Hubbard and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €100,000-150,000

The Largest Known Used Multiple of the 2 Reales First Issue. 1859, 2r. red, second setting, a magnificent strip of six, transfer types 15-16-13-14-15-16, including portions of two transfer blocks of 16, in an attractive good impression and pastel shade, barely touched at top right, otherwise ample to large margins, tied to piece of cover addressed to Hamburg by fine strikes of "Correos/Jun 7/La Guaira" c.d.s. in blue. Taking into consideration all printings, this is the largest 2r. multiple in used condition. Cert. Moorhouse (2011), signed Holcombe.Provenance: Hubbard and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €4,000-5,000

1859, 2r. red, setting of 200, mainly large even margins, tied by neat blue "Correos/ Sep 1/La Guaira" c.d.s. on 1863 cover to Caracas (Boulton correspondence), paying the rate up to 1½ oz. for a distance not exceeding 25 miles. The delightful quality of the stamp, together with the cancellation, places this example among the most attractive extant on cover; in addition, this cover is the only recorded bearing a single franking of this denomination carried inland. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Heister. (Image1)

Est. €3,000-5,000

The Highest Franking Recorded in the Venezuelan Classic Philately. 1859, 2r. red, second setting, strips of four and three, in a bright shade, margins varying from touching on just two positions to mostly large, tied by "CorreosMar 8/Carcas" c.d.s.'s in blue to cover front to Hamburg, carried at 3½ ounces rate -as each 2 Reales paid the ½oz. rate - from Venezuela to St. Thomas only, thence carried onwards by British steamer, charged 3s.4d. for the packet rate, also showing red crayon "80" Silbergroschen on receipt. A visually impressive item of great postal history importance for being ranked as the highest known franking (14 Reales) in the entire classic period, further enhanced by including the second and third largest multiples recorded on cover. Cert. Moorhouse (2011), signed Holcombe.Provenance: Gebauer, Hubbard and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €20,000-25,000