Cuba, 1760-78 (c.) Gandia, Spain to Havana, Cuba. Folded cover with "V/ VALEN / CIA" three-line handstamp (known 1760-78) and additional "VALENICIA" straightline, Havana red "ESPANA" straightline handstamp (type 1: 1x3.6cm, 1765-1801), Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED HAVANA "ESPANA" POSTMARK STRUCK ON MAIL TO HAVANA.

By the King's order the ESPANA handstamp should have been struck in La Coruna on each transatlantic letter. If this was missed, the postmaster was obliged to struck this post at the port of arrival. Though the trading companies still had their office in Cadiz, the Espana marking had to be struck in Havana. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Cuba, 1771 (c.) La Coruna, Spain to Potosi, Bolivia. Folded cover with part letter addressed to Pedro de Tagle, the Judge of the Real Audiencia of Charcas, red "ESPÑA" straightline struck at La Coruna (1764-1801) and manuscript "3" Silver Reales rating for up to ¼ ounce, carried by ship via "Bs. Ayres" to Potosi; cover tear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1773 (Oct. 11) Havana, Cuba to Barcelona, Spain via Cadiz. Datelined folded letter with Cadiz red "YNDIAS" straightline and red "4" Silver Real due rating, Barcelona manuscript "5" for additional 1 Silver Real local charge due, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THIS IS THE EARLIEST LETTER FROM CUBA TO THE SPANISH MAINLAND WITH "YNDIAS" POSTMARK.

The privilege to operate mail services went back to 1764 from the Carvajal & heirs/family which had run the "Correo Major de Yndias" since 1514 when the Spanish Emperor Ferdinand and Isabella appointed Dr. Lorenzo Galindez de Carvajal as Postmaster General for the Americas. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Cuba, 1775 (Aug. 27) Havana, Cuba to Genoa, Italy via Cadiz. Folded letter with Cadiz red "YNDIAS" (type 1) straightline with matching red "4" silver Real handstamp for up to ¼ ounce (tariff 1765-1806), Madrid crowned "M" postmark, manuscript "L1:18" due rating for 1 Lira 18 Denari due at Genoa, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THIS IS THE SECOND EARLIEST RECORDED HAVANA COVER TO THE SPANISH MAINLAND WITH YNDIAS POSTMARK, AND THE EARLIEST TRANSITING SPAIN TO A FOREIGN EUROPEAN COUNTRY.

Having abolished all other communication lines, the Spanish postal services were definitely operated by the Royal Mail Post Office from 1st July 1769 onwards. The "Correos Maritimos del Estado" provided monthly sailings between Havana and Spain. Calls at Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo were incorporated in its schedule. A general postal administration was set up in Havana, which had control and supervised the services in the Americas. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Cuba, 1776 (Feb.) Palacio del Prado to the Bishop of Cuba. Folded letter with Royal Decree of King Carlos III from the Palacio del Prado to the Bishop of Cuba, two disinfection slits; some separations and erosion throughout, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED KING CARLOS III SIGNED LETTER IN PRIVATE HANDS.

There are three recorded letters with the signature of King Carlos III, this one in private hands and two in museums.

Until 1764, the "Corres Major de Indias" was in existence, which was based on chartered ships, navy vessels or merchant ships and was not able to guarantee the demand of a reliable trade-communication. But the demand for reliable communication had grown especially on the part of the Spanish Government and the authorities in the colonies. Therefore it was decided to organize an own, more reliable Spanish communication system, because the isle of Cuba was the most important intermediate point for communication between Spain and the Americas at the end of the 18th up to the middle of the 19th century. It also became a crossroads with South / Central America between North American and Europe.

The possibility to form a "Correos Maritimos del Estado" was made for Spain after negotiating the Treaty of Tordesillas 1494 between Portugal and Spain in Madrid 1750. On 6th August 1764, the "Correos Maritimos del Estado" was inaugurated by the Royal "Real Cedula" of Carlos III. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Cuba, 1779 (c.) Cadiz, Spain to Guatemala via Havana and Vera Cruz. Folded cover magenta "CADIZ" straightline, sent via Havana and Vera Cruz, then overland to Guatemala, magenta "ESPANA" straightline applied in Havana, red manuscript "5" silver Reales rating for up to ½ ounce, minor tone spots, Very Fine and early use with the Havana "ESPANA" handstamp.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Cuba, 1779 (c.) via Cadiz, Spain to Guatemala and Havana. Two folded covers, first to Guatemala carried by Frigate "Navarra" from Cadiz via Havana and Vera Cruz, then overland to Guatemala, red "CADIZ" straightline and framed "3Pta." silver Reales due handstamp for up to ¼ ounce; second to Havana with red "CADIZ" straightline and framed "7. Pta" silver Reales due handstamp for up to ¾ ounce.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1788 (Aug. 30) Spain to Lima, Peru via Buenos Ayres. Folded cover sent via Buenos Ayres overland to Lima with "ESPÑA" straightline struck at Buenos Ayres, manuscript "7" Silver Reales for up to ¾ ounce due (tariff: 1764-1807), some faults, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

It had been ordered by King Carlos III that each letter had to be marked by an ESPAÑA marking of La Coruna, if forgotten there it would be marked at the port of entry. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1794 (Nov. 23) Madrid, Spain to Lima, Peru via Cartagena and Panama. Folded prepaid letter endorsed "Por la Coruna y Cartagena", carried via Cartagena and Panama overland and by ship to Lima, "M. / Franqueado." handstamp and manuscript "X" indicating prepayment; some erosion at center, Fine, a possible unique routing from Spain to Peru.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

When prepaid, the charge was never written, instead an "X" and/or "Franqueado" handstamp was struck.

Cuba was the hub for the Spanish Fleet from the 16th to the mid 18th century reaching Lima via Panama or Cartagena. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1795 (Sep. 18) New York N.Y. to Valencia, Spain via Havana and Cadiz. Folded letter with red "ISLAS DE / BARLOVENTO" two-line handstamp (type 3, 1.4x4.6cm, 1795-1836), large red "6Rs" silver Reals handstamp for up to ¼ ounce; some edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

ONE OF 11 RECORDED LETTERS CARRIED ON THIS ROUTE, THIS BEING THE EARLIEST RECORDED OF TYPE 3. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Cuba, 1796 (Oct. 7) Vera Cruz, Mexico to Barcelona, Spain via Havana. Datelined folded letter with Havana red "Islas de / Barlovento" two-line handstamp (type 1: 1769-1811) applied in transit, manuscript "4" silver Reales due rating.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The "Islas de / Barlovento" two-line marking, inaugurated under Spanish postal regulations on September 1, 1769, known as a receiving/transit and origin postmark, applied to indicate to the clerks the origin of the letter. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1801-1835, Havana to Spain. Four stampless covers, 1801 with red "Islas De / Barlovento" (type 3, 1801-1821) to Matano with ms. "4" silver Real due for up to ¼ oz., 1910 to Cadiz with red "Islas De / Barlovento" (type 2: 1786-1821) with large red "5R" handstamp for 5 "Reales de vélon" postage due for up to 5 adarmes; 1813 prepaid to Cadiz endorsed per "Corbeta Balamoza" with red "Islas De / Barlovento" (type 5: 1795-1855) handstamp; and 1835 to Madrid with Cadiz red "Islas De / Barlovento" (type 6, 1818-1846), F.-V.F. group.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Cuba, 1802, 1803 Cadiz - Havana. Two folded letters, 1802 Cadiz to Havana with red "CADIZ" straightline and matching framed "3 Pta." due handstamp, carried as endorsed by Frigate "La Aspacia" to Havana; 1803 carried privately from Havana to Cadiz, entered mails with red "Cadiz" straightline and "1Pta." silver Real due handstamp for up to ¼ oz. from Cadiz to Tenerife, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1802 (Feb. 15) Havana, Cuba to Pto. Orotava, Tenerife. Datelined folded letter with "YNDIAS" straightline (Type B: 1766-1856) and manuscript "4" silver Real due rating for up to ¼ ounce (tariff 1764-1807), fresh and Extremely Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Cuba, 1819, 1830 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba to Spain and Canary Islands. Two covers (one is a front), 1819 folded letter with red "CUBA" straightline without dot, via Cadiz with "Islas De Barlovento" and then disinfected in Mahon with fumigation slit, manuscript "5½" Real due rating for 5R postage plus ½R Catalina local fee for 5-6 adarmes; 1830 cover front to Palmas, Canary Islands with fancy "CUBA" oval handstamp and carried by a frigate of the "Armada Nacional" with "5R" Reales de vélon circular handstamp for up to 5 adarmes, F.-V.F. pair.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1819 (Jun. 8) Brussels, Belgium to Havana, Cuba via Le Havre. Folded letter carried privately to Mons and from there to Le Havre, where an agent paid "6" decimes for Mons to Le Havre, then by private ship to Havana where "NE" for Norte Europe and "4" silver Reales due handstamp; cover aging, Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER WITH "NE" AND DUE RATING HANDSTAMP.

After the loss of many colonies in the New World, Spain gradually loosened its old trade monopoly from the Royal Decree of Feb. 10th 1818. Cuba and Puerto Rico were allowed to participate directly in free trade. This meant an influx of mail from many nations into Cuba, and charges on incoming mail. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1824 (Jun. 20) Havana, Cuba to Orotava, Tenerife. Folded letter with "HAVANA" straightline (1824-29), endorsed "maritimo" via Mahon (Menorca) and "por Cadiz", red "A" struck in Cadiz indicating single letter only, manuscript "5 R" reales de vélon due rating for up to 5 adarmes, five separate slits in center and corners, disinfected by immersion in vinegar, Fine and scarce disinfected use.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Cuba, 1824, 1830 Havana, Cuba to Spain. Two folded letters, 1824 to Cadiz endorsed per "Galero Hama" with red "YNDIAS" straightline and large red "5R" reales de vélon due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes, five separate slits in center and corners, disinfected by immersion in vinegar; 1830 to Madrid endorsed per "Montanes", red "DE YNDIAS" straightline struck in Santander, red "5.R" reales de vélon due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes, two separate slits and disinfected by just a sprinkling of vinegar, F.-V.F. pair.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

A wave of cholera plague swept across Europe in the twenties and thirties. Sanitation was primitive in those days. In the case of mail, disinfection could be accomplished by immersing a letter in vinegar or by fumigation after having punctured a letter by making a slit or using a paddle with nails. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1824 (Mar. 13) Vera Cruz, Mexico to Cadiz via Havana. Datelined folded letter with red "NUEVA / ESPANA" two-line handstamp, red "7R" Reales de vélon due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes from Mexico, manuscript forwarder's endorsement on reverse, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The "NUEVA / ESPANA" two-line handstamp was used in the colonies to indicate their origin when arriving in Spain in order to allot proper charges. This mark was used in Vera Cruz, Buenos Aires and is also known for Cadiz from 1815 to 1824. Only a few strikes are recorded. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1828-1843 Havana, Cuba to Spain and Mexico. Group of 3 with different "HAVANA" instructional handstamps, 1828 with "HAVANA" straightline (1824-29) to Madrid endorsed per "Fragata Casilda", black "11.R" Reales de vélons due rating for 10-11 adarmes; 1829 with "HAVANA" straightline (1829-1842) endorsed per "Amable Teresa" with red "9.R" Reales de vélon due handstamp for 8-9 adarmes, and 1843 Havana cds to Mexico via Vera Cruz with (4.14) framed handstamp, a Very Fine trio.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1829 (Sep. 30) Havana, Cuba to Madrid, Spain. Datelined folded letter with complete strike of large "HAVANA" straightline (1796-1830) sent on unknown merchant vessel to Madrid, red "M, D. 1828" arrival backstamp and large "13.R" Read de vélon for 12-13 adarmes; edge faults, Fine and scarce large type.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

To settle the charges correctly for the major ports, town postmarks were introduced at the end of the 17th century. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1830 (May 8) Havana, Cuba to Cadiz, Spain. Datelined folded letter with blue "Galicia, Coruna" oval handstamp and red "13" Reales de vélon due handstamp (1807 tariff) for up to 14 adarmes, fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

The "Real de vélon" was not a coin but a unit of money for accounting purposes. It had a constant value of 34 Maravedis or 8½ Cuartos. The addressee could pay the postage due with any coin he had. It just had to equalize 13 Reales de vélon as in the case here. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Cuba, 1830, 1837 Havana to Spain. Two folded letters, 1830 endorsed "Corres de la Empresa No. 1" to St. Sebastian with "Habana / Franco" oval handstamp (1828-36); and 1837 to Madrid endorsed "Correo de la Empresa" with fancy "Habana / Franco" oval handstamp (1837-40) paid marking, Very Fine pair.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

The "Habana / Franco" ovals were used by the Havana Post Office, not the Empresa Agents. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Cuba, 1832-1836 Incoming Empresa mail to Havana, Cuba. Group of three with Empresa "E" oval handstamps indicating prepayment, comprising 1832 Villanueva, Spain with "46 / Cataluna" postmark, 1836 from New York with "NA" handstamp (1827-41) for "North America"; and 1835 Lyon, France with framed "P.P." handstamp and "NE" handstamp for "Norte Europe", F.-V.F. trio.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

From 1802 onwards, the mail service between Spain, Cuba and other countries remained irregular. Mail packets were sporadic and unreliable, and the service depended on Spain war vessels and merchant ships of opportunity. In 1824, Dr. Th. E. Woods proposed to the Spanish government that a company be created to transport mail, passengers and other goods between Havana, Puerto Rico, Tenerife and Cadiz. After considerable study, the "Empresa de Correos Maritimos" was created and a formal governing management of the company was published at Havana on April 23, 1827. Article 7 of the regulations required that all mail that all mail originating from Cuba must be prepaid. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1834, 1843 Cuba to Spain with "DE YNDIAS" Straightlines. Two folded letters, 1834 from Havana via Santander to Madrid with orange "DE YNDIAS" straightline and red "5R" Reales de vélon due handstamp (tariff 1807) for up to 5 adarmes; and 1843 Trinidad de Cuba to Bilbao with bright red "DE YNDIAS" straightline, red "5Rs." reales de vélon due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes (1807 tariff), Bilbao (3.5.1844) arrival backstamp, Very Fine pair.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

There are two types of DE YNDIAS straightlines recorded, type A Santander (1824-1851) and type B Bilbao (1844-1848). They were used as arrival markings in Spain on covers from Havana or Puerto Rico. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300