Cuba, 1841 (Jan. 20) Boston Mass. to Havana, Cuba. Folded datelined letter endorsed per "President" at top left, neat strike of "E. / NA" in circle handstamp (Empresa / Norte America), fresh and Extremely Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

From 1838 to about 1841, the Empresa's inventor office at Havana used a series of handstamps on incoming mail to indicate whether the letters came from North America or Europe, consisting of capital letters struck on the front - "E. NA" or "E. NE". Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1842-1850, Havana, Cuba to Spain. Group of four covers, each with different Empresa ship rimless "Correo Maritimo" oval handstamps of No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4, each with "Franco" handstamp of varying types, No. 3 is fumigated, Very Fine group.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The Empresa ships were not designated by name in postal markings, but by a Correo number up to number 8, accompanied by a Franco handstamp. From 1842 to 1850, each letter dispatched was struck with a blue oval cachet giving the correo number, prior to that the number was often written in manuscript. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1842, 1845 Havana, Cuba - Madrid, Spain. Folded letter and folded cover, 1842 (Jun. 30) Havana to Madrid folded letter with fancy oval "Habana, Franco" oval postmark and orange "Correo Maritimo No. 2" rimless oval, red Madrid (8.6) arrival backstamp; 1845 (Oct. 28) Madrid to Havana large part of front with orange "Habana" straightline and matching "Correo Maritimo No. 3" rimless oval, posted unpaid with "Supreme Court of Justice" oval seal, red Havana (10.28) origin cds, black "52" Real de Velón due handstamp, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1842 (Mar. 2) Brandon Vt. to Havana, Cuba. Datelined folded letter with red "Brandon Vt. Mar 2" cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp, blue manuscript "Missent & forward, from Havana, N.Y., Mach 14" rating, red "E. / NA" in circle handstamp, flap with "Consulate of the U.S. of America, Havana" seal handstamp; some edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1843 (Oct. 18) Santander, Spain to Havana, Cuba. Datelined folded letter with red "ESPAÑA" straightline, red "4" Reales de vélon due handstamp, red "Habana, Isla d Cuba, 1 Dic. 1843" arrival backstamp, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

ONE OF ONLY SEVEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS "ESPANA" MARKING, WITH TWO RECORDED IN BLACK.

The "ESPANA" marking was used in the colonies to indicate arrival from Spain in order to allot proper charges due. The marking was used in Havana from 1840 until 1845. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Cuba, 1844 (Jun. 3) Geneva, Switzerland to Havana, Cuba via France. Folded cover with red "Geneva, 3 Juil 44" origin cds with matching small "P.P." circular handstamp, and red "Suisse Par Fernex, 5 Juil" and Havre (6.6) transit cds's, red Havana (10.25) arrival backstamp, bold strike of red "NE" handstamp and matching "2" rating handstamp; some folds, fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE REVERSED "NE" HANDSTAMP IN RED. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Cuba, 1846, 1852 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba to Spain. Two gray folded covers with "YNDIAS" type 5 handstamps (0.9 x 4.4 cm), 1846 datelined letter "Zons & Ziegler" merchant oval backstamp to Barcelona with red "YNDIAS." straightline (1840-56, supposed to be applied in Vigo but struck at La Coruna) and matching "7.R" Reales de vélon due handstamp for 6-7 adarmes, and 1852 to Santander with blue "YNDIAS" straightline (1839-1855 applied in Santander) and matching "5" Reales due handstamp, Very Fine pair.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1846 (May 21) Malaga, Spain to Vera Cruz, Mexico via Havana. Datelined folded letter endorsed per "Sombreria Espanola", red Havana (6.8) transit cds and matching "O" and "PENINSULA" straightline handstamp, charged zero for onward transit, black "Vera-Cruz, Junio 25" framed arrival, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

ONE OF 9 RECORDED PENINSULA POSTMARKS RECORDED.

The "PENINSULA" straightline was used in Havana on transit letters originating from Spain and recorded up to 1848. These markings were struck on letters regardless of which maritime service was carrying them. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Cuba, 1846 (Jul. 9) Matanzas, Cuba to Mahon, Spain via Havana. Printed circular with red "Havana, Isla de Cuba, 21 Ago. 1846" cds (Baeza: 21:8) to Mahon, red "1 R." real handstamp as 1/5 of the normal charge for a single letter, Very Fine and scarce printed matter use.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

In Mid-1845, the special charge for maritime printed matter was inaugurated, prompted by the trading companies. The charge was introduced on August 16, 1845. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Cuba, 1847, 1850 Spain to Havana. Two folded covers with orange "Empresa, Espana" double-oval postmark, 1847 from Madrid and 1850 from Tuy / Galicia; some aging, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

From 1844 onwards the financial condition of the company deteriorated caused by fraud, high costs and insufficient ships. The precarious state of the company led to a reorganization under a new firm, Villota, Lavin y Cia., to which the government gave a new contract on February 18, 1847. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1845-1849 Spain - Cuba. Group of three covers comprising 1845 from Sevilla to Havana with "Correo Maritimo No. 1" rimless oval and matching "24" Silver Reales rating handstamp; 1849 Cadiz to Havana endorsed "Per Correo No. 6" and with partial orange "CORREO MARITIMO No. 6"; and 1849 Havana to Logrono with blue "CORREO MARITIMO No. 7" and oval "Franco" handstamps, F.-V.F. trio.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Cuba, 1847 (Dec. 25) Havana, Cuba to Barcelona, Spain. Blue folded letter with blue "Sicart Mitja & Co., Havana" forwarder's double-oval backstamp, endorsed "Correo No. 5" at top right, blue "Correo Maritimo No. 5" rimless and matching "Franco" oval handstamps, red Barcelona arrival backstamp and matching "6.ms." handstamp for 6 Maravadies for street repair in Barcelona (1852-56), Very Fine and rare Correo No. 5 use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The Correo No. 5 is the scarcest since the ship made only made four or five round trips. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1848 N. America and Europe to Cuba. Two folded letters comprising first datelined "West Chester, 25 Mars 1848" to Santiago de Cuba with blue "Empresa, N. America, 15 Abr. 1848" cds and "1" real due rating; other to Havana with red "Paris, 28 Avril 48" cds and matching "PD" framed handstamp with ms. "15" decimes rating, red London "Paid, AP 30" transit cds, blue "Empresa, N. Europa, 27 May 1848" cds and matching "2" real rating handstamp, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1848 (Apr. 23) Havana, Cuba to Santander, Spain. Blue folded letter with small red "YNDIAS" handstamp (type 9: 1826-48) struck upon arrival and matching "5Rs" handstamp for 5 "Reales de vélon" due handstamp for up to 5 adarmes, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

THIS IS THE SCARCEST OF ALL YNDIAS HANDSTAMPS, PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE ON TRANSATLANTIC MAIL TO EUROPE. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1851 (Feb. 13) Georgetown S.C. to Havana, Cuba. Blue folded letter with red "Georgetown S.C., 13 Feb" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with manuscript "12½" cent rating, endorsed "pr Stmr Isabella" at top right, orange "Empresa, N. America, 19 Feb. 1851" cds on top flap and matching "1" Real handstamp for inland postage, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Cuba, 1855 (Mar. 3) Longro, Spain to Havana, Cuba. Folded cover with "Longro 3 Mar 55" cds bearing Cuba 2r tied by grid cancel for letter up to one ounce, black "½" Real due handstamp for the captain's fee; small flaws at top, Fine and rare 2r double-weight with ½r ship captain surcharge.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Cuba, 1857 (Aug. 7) Pamplona, Spain to Havana, Cuba. Folded cover with "Pamplona, 7 Ago 57" cds, carried by non-contract merchant ship to Cuba, blue "Habana, 1 Oct 1857" arrival backstamp, bearing Cuba 1r gray green (1) tied by grid cancel, red "½" Real due handstamp for the captain's fee; some ink erosion, F.-V.F. and scarce ½r ship captain surcharge.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The government issued an order in 1856, that set a fee to the captains of Spanish merchant vessels without contract of a surcharge of ½ Real plata, irrespective of the letter weight. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Cuba, 1857, 1858 Havana to Spain by the French Line "Cie. Franco-Americano de Vapor". Two covers, 1857 with blue "Habana, 12 Di. 57" cds to Santander bearing ½r strip of three for triple rate, carried per Cadiz via Le Havre; 1858 with blue "Habana, 12 Fe 58" cds to Cadiz bearing ½r strip of three for triple rate, carried as endorsed per "France Comptois" via Le Havre, disinfection slits, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

In 1857-58, the French Line "Cie. Franco-Americano de Vapor" of the Gauthier Frères, Le Havre, developed a packet service under Spanish contract, but when the Spanish Government tried to commit the company to sail under Spanish flag, they gave up at once. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Cuba, 1858 Havana to Spain by the "Vapores Correos Transatlantica" Line. Two covers, 1858 folded cover with blue "Gardenas, 5 Jul 1858" cds and bearing ½r blue tied by oval to Rivadeo, carried as endorsed per Espana Vapor Correo; other 1858 (Oct. 12) Havana folded letter bearing two ½r blue strips of three for the six-times rate to Cadiz carried as endorsed per Almogabar, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Another short lived packet trial was undertaken by the "Vapores Correos Transatlantica" from 1858 until 1861, when the company had to be liquidated. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1859 (Oct. 12) Havana, Cuba to Laredo, Spain. Blue folded letter bearing Forgery ½r blue, pair, margins to touched, tied by oval cancels, matching "Habana, 12 OC. 59" cds, Very Fine, Forgeries accepted as prepayment of the single 1r rate up to 1 ounce.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Widespread falsification did a lot of damage to the post, and extensive wear to the printed plates of the earlier issues, induced the Spanish government to prepare a new series of stamps for Spain and the colonies on January 1, 1864 depicting Queen Isabella facing left. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1864 (Mar. 18) Havana, Cuba to Santander, Spain. Datelined folded letter bearing 1r green, two pairs, large margins, tied by oval grid cancels, partial "Habana, 18 Mar 64" cds, carried as endorsed by Antonio Lopez y Cia. "Espana", partial Santander (4.14) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, prepaid at the 4r quadruple rate for up to 2 ounces.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1865 (Aug. 15) Havana, Cuba to Bilbao, Spain. Cover bearing two 1864, ½r green (18) pairs, large margins, tied by grid cancels, matching indistinct Habana (8.15) origin cds, carried by Antonio Lopez y Cia. Hamburgo, fresh and Very Fine, prepaid at the 4r quadruple rate for up to 2 ounces.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1866 (Oct. 15) Havana, Cuba to Bilbao, Spain. Cover bearing 10c blue (24) strip of four, tied by oval grid cancels, carried by Antonio Lopex y Cia. Infanta Isabel, Bilboa (11.12) arrival backstamp; light horizontal bend, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Cuba, 1874 (Jun. 10) Havana, Cuba to Rivadeo, Spain. Folded cover bearing 1871, 12c red lilac (50) tied by oval grid cancel, partial Havana (6.10) origin cds, carried by Antonio Lopez y Cia. Santander, Rivadeo arrival backstamp; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THE ONLY RECORDED PRINTED MATTER USE FROM CUBA TO SPAIN BEARING THE 1871 ESPANA ISSUE. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Cuba, 1876 (Jan. 1) Havana, Cuba to Paris, France via New York. Part-printed folded circular with blue "Nagel & Co., Havana, ENE 1, 1876" double-oval, perfect bold strike of black "New York, Jan 6" exchange cds and matching "T" in circle handstamp with blue crayon "10" centimes due rating (2¢), Paris (1.18) arrival backstamp, French red manuscript "20c" due rating, Extremely Fine and choice, This circular was due at the 20c printed matter rate.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

This cover was sent unpaid during the time when the United States already belonged to the GPU, but Cuba did not. New York debited France 10 centimes for transit fees owed to the U.S. The postage due in France for a letter would have been 8 decimes, however this was rate 20 centimes for the printed matter rate of 2-4 ounces. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200