1871: Die Proof for 1 c. value printed in deep black, covered in mica and inset into De La Rue card dated 'Nov 12, 1866' at upper left. Slight cuts into the card of the Proof but a splendid Proof demonstrating the date when stamps were first ordered by Guatemala under the Government of President Vicente Cerna and their proposed move to the decimal system. Unique Goodman DP1B.rnrnProvenance: Collection Norman Hubbard, Stanley Gibbons, New York, 17 March 1981, lot 76; Collection Nils Farnstrom; Collection Max Platinga.rnrnNote: The engraver, the Frenchman Jean Ferdinand Jounert de la Ferte, was working for De La Rue in 1866 when the Government Mint in Paris succeeded in gaining the contract to print the first Guatemalan adhesive stamps. The first print run was completed for the 1 centavo value on September 10 and 11, 1867. Due to procrastination and internal difficulties the issue was delayed until 1871. See Goodman for further details. (Image 1) (Image)

1871: Lithographed Plate Proof for 1 c. value by Joubert of Paris, struck within circle in blue on white wove paper. Minor ironed bend in margin but rare: seven different colours were utilised as Trial Colour Proofs with only three complete sets printed.rnrnProvenance: Collection Norman Hubbard, SG, New York, 17 March 1981, ex lot 78. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871: Lithographed Plate Proof for 1 c. value by Joubert of Paris, struck within circle in sepia on white wove paper. Rare: seven different colours were utilised as Trial Colour Proofs with only three complete sets printed, this being the closest to the issued colour.rnrnProvenance: Collection Norman Hubbard, SG, New York, 17 March 1981, ex lot 78; Collection Max Platinga. (Image 1) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 1 c. ochre on buff, an unused ungummed block of eighteen (6 x 3) from upper left corner of the sheet, variety completely "Imperforate and Printed on Both Sides", in a rich shade, first row with slight vertical crease but a remarkable and rare multiple Gi 1b = £ 1'600+/Scott = $ 2'400+. (Image 1) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 1 c. ochre on buff, an unused block of fifty (10 x 5) from the base of the sheet of 150 subjects, positions 91-100 / 141-150, fresh and very fine, large part or unmounted og. A scarce multiple.rnrnNote: The Guatemalan first issue engraved by Joubert was slightly larger than the current French Cêrès stamps. By using this perf. 14 x 13½ machine, the margins between the stamps had to be very narrow (1 mm.), therefore the machine invariably cut the sides of the stamps. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 1 c. ochre on buff, the spectacular usage of two single examples, a defective pair broken on opening the letter and a block of sixteen (4 x 4) similarly touched into in places when the letter was opened, all used on reverse of 1873 cover to Bordeaux and cancelled by manuscript lines in ink. Obverse with oval "Correos / Guatemala" datestamp (Feb 11) in blue, three line dated PANAMA / TRANSIT in black (March 15), thence via London where framed 'GB / 1F 90c.' Accountancy marking was struck in black. London cds (April 14) in red and charged '15' dêcimes handstruck due upon receipt. Illustrated in the Goodman handbook on page 44. Despite faults an absolutely key item for classic Guatemalan philately - the largest known first issue franking. Cert. Scheller (2009).rnrnProvenance: Collection Mark Spycher, Nov 2008. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 1 c. ochre on buff and 5 c. bistre-brown, used on 1871 cover to Ramon Rodriguez in Mazatenango, tied by numeral "1" obliterator in black with "Correos / Guatemala" circular datestamp at right (Oct 28) in black. File fold well away from the adhesives, cleaned but of exceptional rarity, the companion cover was in Hubbard (lot 96) and Castilejo (lot 1024) which was identically franked and mailed one week before this example. Goodman records five first issue covers with the 1 centavo adhesive, including this example, however a further example has come to light (F-W Lange collection) since the handbook was published; of these six covers just three were used in the 'decimal' period (March 1 1871 until January 26, 1872) prior to Guatemala reverting to their former currency in January 1872 and there are only two recorded 6 centavo internal frankings. An exhibition item of the foremost importance.rnrnProvenance: Collection Mark Spycher, Nov 2008. (Image 1) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 5 c. light brown on buff, an unused Imperforate block of four, positions 93-94 / 103-104, the lower pair showing the tête-bêche variety, with ample margins on all sides and confirming the position (the variety also occurs on pos. 10), fresh and very fine, superb large part og. Just two blocks are recorded from this position (the other was ex Castilejo, lot 1032), a magnificent multiple of great rarity Gi 2ba = £ 2'500+/Scott = $ 3'600+. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 5 c. brown on buff, an unused Imperforate block of four from the top right of sheet, position 9-10 / 19-20, the upper pair showing the tête-bêche variety, with large sheet margin on two sides and thus confirming the position (the variety also occurs on pos. 103), fresh and very fine, superb large part og. A magnificent multiple of great rarity. Cert. Philatelic Foundation (1980) Gi 2ba = £ 2'500+/Scott = $ 3'600+.rnrnProvenance: Corinphila sale 64, June 1981, lot 2478; Collection Dr. Alfred Guggissberg, Corinphila sale 137, May 2003, lot 1950; Collection Mark Spycher; Collection Max Platinga. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 5 c. bistre-brown on buff, an unused irregular block of thirty-six, positions 28-30 / 38-40 / 46-50 /96-100; of excellent fresh colour and splendid appearance, large part or unmounted og. A magnificent multiple, the second largest recorded (the Castilejo description, lot 1025 was erroneous), fresh and very fine, large part or unmounted og. A rarity.rnrnProvenance: Collection Dr. Alfred Guggissberg, Corinphila sale 137, May 2003, lot 1971. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 5 c. bistre-brown, a single example used on circa 1873 cover front from Jutiapa to Guatemala City tied by both framed FRANCO handstamp (Goodman CPS72) and by "17" numeral obliterator in black. Unrecorded in the Goodman handbook. An exceptional and extremely rare usage, the sole example of a first issue adhesive used on cover from this town. Cert. Moorhouse (2009).rnrnProvenance: Collection Mark Spycher, Nov 2008; Investphila, sale 15, Lugano, 17-18 April 2010, lot 544. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 5 c. bistre-brown, a single example used on 1874 cover from Guatemala City to Antigua, tied by scarce usage of the 'Guatemala' datestamp (April 21) in black. Carried by Steamer with corresponding "Correos de Guatemala / Paquetes" datestamp in red of the same day alongside. Recorded in the Goodman census with just 7, perhaps eight single 5 c. frankings now known. Slight envelope imperfection well above the adhesive, a rare and most attractive cover. Cert. Moorhouse (2009).rnrnProvenance: Collection Luis Cervera, DF, Zurich, 1-6 Nov 1993; Collection F-W Lange; Investphila, sale 15, Lugano, 17-18 April 2010, lot 547. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 5 c. bistre-brown, a used horizontal pair on 1874 cover from Guatemala City to Retalhuleu, tied by "Guatemala" circular datestamp in black (May 6), with "Correos de Guatemala / Paquetes" cds perfectly struck in red (May 6) alongside, demonstrating the cover was to travel by Steamer. Internal docketing of receipt (May 10) in manuscript. Recorded by Goodman on page 52, who records just this one cover with a pair of 5 centavos adhesives, there are however, two recorded thus - another from the same correspondence (ex Miguel Ricoy) with one stamp repaired. The sole recorded internal 10 c. rate cover in fine condition and a great rarity of the issue.rnrnProvenance: Collection Norman Hubbard, Stanley Gibbons, New York, 17 March 1981, lot 107; Collection Mark Spycher, Nov 2008. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 5 c. bistre-brown, a single example used with 10 c. blue (2), one with rounded corner perf., used on the famous 1871 double rate cover to San Francisco, USA all adhesives cancelled by light strikes of the Guatemala City "1" numeral obliterator and by Maltese Cross segmented cork handstamps in black to prevent possible re-use. 'Correos / Guatemala' circular datestamp in black at left (Oct 10) and the 5 c. adhesive further tied on arrival by "San Francisco / Cal." cds (Oct 27) in black. Taxed upon receipt with '20' (cents) due to pay in manuscript. A very rare and spectacular cover, the earliest recorded stamped cover to the USA, prepaying double the 'decimal' rate (March 1, 1871 to January 26, 1872) of 12 centavos to the American nations and the sole exaample thus. Illustrated in the Goodman handbook on page 48. Exceptionally rare: the earliest recorded stamped cover from Guatemala.rnrnProvenance: Collection Norman Hubbard, Stanley Gibbons, New York, 17 March 1981, lot 108; Collection Mark Spycher, Nov 2008; Investphila, sale 15, Lugano, 17-18 April 2010, lot 552. (Image 1) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 5 c. brown and 20 c. rose, used on the spectacular 1872 cover from Salama to Rotherham, England tied by bold "24" numeral obliterator in black, with transit datestamp of the British Post office in COLON adjacent (Jan 25, 1872) in black. Reverse with 'Correos / Guatemala' circular datestamp of transit (Jan ) and Rotherham arrival cds (Feb 26). Un-taxed (Guatemala had yet to join the UPU) and docketed alongside the adhesives with manuscript "Rec'd R.O. (Robert Owen, the addressee) Feb 26, last post" which was possibly the reason the letter escaped Postage Due. This cover was carried on the same day as a quadruple rate cover bearing five 1871 20 c. rose (ex Hubbard, lot 124, illustration with the lot) to the addressee's brother in Sheffield, arriving on the same day and charged 3 shillings Postage Due. File fold crosses the adhesives, however this is the sole recorded cover with a 25 centavos rate to Europe - this being applicable only in the 'decimal' period: March 1, 1871 until January 26, 1872, after which the rate was reduced to 20 centavos. Illustrated in the Goodman handbook on page 46. A magnificent and extremely rare cover, the sole recorded franking. Cert. Moorhouse (2009).rnrnProvenance: Collection Mark Spycher, Nov 2008; Investphila, sale 15, Lugano, 17-18 April 2010, lot 554.rn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 10 c. blue, an unused Imperforate block of four, marginal from left of sheet, positions 91-92 / 101-102 and thus showing Type I wide "0" on upper pair and Type II narrow "0" on the lower pair, large margins all round and of fine colour, fresh and fine, unmounted og. Exceptional and rare Gi 3ab var = unpriced/Scott = unpriced. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 10 c. blue, Type I, the remarkable unused block of eighty (10 x 8), being the upper half of the sheet with all stamps Type I with wide "0" (Type I positions were from 1-94 and position 149), the block found with another large multiple where the two had stuck together and thus the gum was removed, some minor imperfections with on stamp closed tear and separation reinforced by hinges but the largest recorded multiple of this stamp (the Castilejo description, lot 1038, being erroneous) and an exhibition piece of the highest calibre. Unique Gi 3 = £ 620+/Scott = $ 880+. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 10 c. blue, Type I, narrow "0", used on 1873 cover from Guatemala City to USA tied by "1" numeral obliterator in black with "Correos / Guatemala" circular datestamp (Jan 26) in blue at left. Struck on arrival with "N.Y. Steamship / 10" datestamp (Feb 19) in black. Recorded in the Goodman handbook, one of just four covers recorded paying the 10 c. 'Americas' single rate. A rare cover. Cert. Moorhouse (2009).rnrnProvenance: Collection Mark Spycher, Nov 2008; Investphila, sale 15, Lugano, 17-18 April 2010, lot 550. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 10 c. blue, Type II, wide "0", used on 1872 second sheet of entire letter to Guatemala City carried at double rate, tied by "11" numeral obliterator in black of Champerico. The stamp with straight edge at right and rounded top left corner perforation but just three covers are recorded (one listed in the Goodman handbook) with this stamp paying the internal double rate. Despite imperfections a very rare cover. Cert. Moorhouse (2009).rnrnProvenance: Collection Mark Spycher, Nov 2008; Investphila, sale 15, Lugano, 17-18 April 2010, lot 549.rn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 20 c. rose, the famous used block of eight (2 x 4) on large piece with a further vertical pair below, tied by weak strikes of probable "1" numeral obliterator of Guatemala City in black. Small imperfections as to be expected but a remarkable and extremely rare block - the used 'block of twelve' recorded, is in fact a block of six, a strip of three, a pair and a single - this being the largest known used multiple.rnrnProvenance: Collection Norman Hubbard, Stanley Gibbons, New York, 17 March 1981, lot 122; Collection Mark Spycher.rnrn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 20 c. rose, a single example used on 1872 cover from Guatemala City to Paris endorsed 'via Panama', tied by "1" numeral obliterator in black. "Correos / Guatemala" despatch cds in blue at left (Sept 17) and thence via British P.O. in COLON with circular datestamp in black (Oct 21), London (Nov 12) where framed 'GB / 1F 60c.' Accountancy marking was applied in black and charged '12' dêcimes handstruck due upon receipt. Unrecorded in the Goodman census (which records three covers) but further research shows that even now just six single frankings of this stamp are known, three of which are to France. A spectacular and rare cover. Cert. Moorhouse (2009).rnrnProvenance: Norman Hubbard, Stanley Gibbons, New York, 17 March 1981, lot 123; Mark Spycher, Nov 2008; Investphila, sale 15, Lugano, 17-18 April 2010, lot 553.rn (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 20 c. blue instead of rose, the Error of Colour, a fine unused example in a deep vibrant shade, large part og. Rare. Signed Saatchi Gi 4b = £ 250/Scott = $ 350. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871 (March 1): 20 c. blue, Error of Colour, an unused example completely Imperforate, good margins all round and marginal from right of sheet, of fresh colour, without gum. In this describer's opinion a much under-catalogued stamp, superb and very rare, probably the finest known example. Signed Darteyre Gi 4ba = £ 1'200/Scott = $ 1'750.rnrnNote: This example is infinitely finer than the two examples offered in Hubbard (1981), one of which was again offered in Castilejo (2016). (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1873: 4 r. mauve, a used example on small piece tied by 'Correos de Guatemala / Paquetes' cds in red (8 August 1876) and by 'Guatemala' cds in black. Scarce Gi 5 = £ 120/Scott = $ 175. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1873: 4 r. violet, single example used on 1877 entire letter endorsed 'par Panama' to Chaux des Fonds, Switzerland tied by "Guatemala" cds (May 19) in black with "Correos de Guatemala / Paquetes" cds in red (same day) denoting the cover was to go by Steamer. Struck in transit with "T" marking (Guatemala did not join the UPU until 1881) in black, with reverse showing London cds in red (June 22) and taxed with '50' in blue crayon - this amount deleted on arrival where charged 100 c. to pay. Unrecorded in the Goodman handbook: the sole recorded classic period cover known to Switzerland. Unique. Cert. Eichele (2001).rnrnProvenance: Collection Silvain Wyler, Corinphila sale 165, Nov-Dec 2010, lot 476; Collection Max Platinga. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)