1859, ½r. orange, wide to huge margins displaying a good shade, used on entire letter from La Guaira to Caracas, carried at single rate per ½ ounce for a distance not exceeding 25 miles, with the stamp tied by large "Guayra/Franca" double circle handstamp from the pre-adhesive period. This item, dated 7 January 1859 -thus demonstrating a significant usage in the first week of issue - is the third earliest cover recorded -with the other two showing a manuscript usage-. Therefore, this cover features the earliest recorded handstamp usage in Venezuelan philately. Cert. Moorhouse (2010), signed Holcombe.Provenance: Bustamante and Hubbard. (Image1)

Est. €7,500-10,000

The Two Items Recorded Bearing The Largest Multiple Known on Cover of the "Number One" Fine Impression. 1859, ½r. orange, strip of six touched at right, large to huge margins in other respects, rich shade, paying the short distance rate up to 25 miles and not exceeding 2 ounces, tied by "Correos/Caracas" c.d.s.'s in blue on cover from Caracas to La Guaira, endorsed "Por 1er Correo Dic. 4", dated inside on 4 December 1861, thus demonstrating a very late usage for this fine impression stamp. The late use of the fine impression printings can be explained by the new supplies of coarse impression printings having been piled on top of the remaining fine impression holding, resulting in the apparent late use, from December 1861, of the fine impression stamps once the coarse impression stock had been exhausted. Hardly visible vertical filing crease just impinging on one stamp, of no importance for this rarity. The largest multiple known on cover of the "Number One" fine impression, with the two items recorded being offered in this sale and demonstrating a very interesting late usage. Cert. Moorhouse (2011) and Holcombe (1993).Provenance: Bustamante and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €7,500-10,000

1859, ½r. orange, strip of six in a refulgent colour, margins varying from clear to large, except for touching at left and cut slightly into in one position at top, tied by blue "Correos/Caracas" c.d.s.'s and paying a short distance rate up to 25 miles on cover not exceeding 2 ounces from Caracas to La Guaira (Boulton correspondence), endorsed "Por 2° Correo Dic. 9" denoting the second dispatch on that day. Docketing inside dated 9 December 1861, demonstrating a very late usage for this stamp -fine impression sheets of this value, after having been "hidden" when they were covered by the coarse impression sheets which were subsequently issued and piled up over the previously issued fine impression sheets of the same denomination, came into use in December 1861-. Multiple affected by slight horizontal and vertical crease, which was lifted for examination and placed back, slightly shifted at right, onto cover. The largest multiple known on cover of the "Number One" - of which only two are believed to exist. One of the important postal history rarities of Venezuelan philately. Cert. Moorhouse (2010), signed Holcombe.Provenance: Gebauer and Hubbard. (Image1)

Est. €7,500-10,000

The "Medio Real" Red, Fine Impression, Error of Colour. The Most Important Item of Venezuelan Philately. 1859, ½r. red error of colour, - the normal ½r. stamps were printed in yellow or orange shades, but the 2r. value was printed in red-, possessing excellent margins all around and clearly showing the frame lines, coming from Position 37 on the sheet, very fine used by a clean strike of "Correos/ Dic 9/La Guaira" double circle cancel in blue. . This stamp was the most significant item in the famous collection of Venezuela formed by H.R. Harmer mainly in the pre-WWII period and it was exhibited by him, attracting the attention of the philatelic world, at the 1950 London International Stamp Exhibition. The stamp is noted to have been in the Ferrary collection but it is not specifically mentioned in the Ferrary sale catalogues but was quite possibly in the small but important group of Venezuela 1859-62 period which was offered as part of Lot 658 in Sale No. 9 (11 April 1924). The Harmer collection was bought intact by Boylan in Venezuela and from there it made its way to the famous collector of Latin America Norman Hubbard.. A similar single solitary colour error of the ½r. from the later coarse impression issue is also known and is also offered in this sale. The advanced collector Lt. Gen. C.W. Wickersham, in his 1949 handbook on the early stamps of Venezuela, classified the 1859 fine impression and the 1859-60 coarse impression as different issues, and thus are listed in general catalogues of reference such as Scott and Stanley Gibbons. Both issues were produced in different places including United States for the earlier and Caracas for the later.. This extraordinary unique first issue fine impression rarity must surely be considered as the most important item of Venezuelan philately, with its rarity being comparable to the famous Uruguay 1858 180c. error of colour (which graced, among others, the Ferrari, Dale-Lichtenstein and Boker collections). One of the ten most significant rarities of South American philately. Its importance is also deservedly registered in the Scott catalogue, where it is valued at US $350,000. Cert. Moorhouse (2010).Provenance: Ferrari, H.R. Harmer, Boylan and Hubbard. (Image1)

Est. €200,000-250,000

1859, 1r. blue, rejoined strip of nine, made up of two strips of four and one single example in centre, boasting a detailed impression and an intense deep shade, large margins on three sides and sheet margin at left, original gum. Slight horizontal crease at base and other minor imperfections which do not detract from the rarity and beauty of this piece. The largest known fine impression 1r. mint strip in private hands; this stamp is scarce in mint condition, and consequently multiples are of remarkable rarity. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Hubbard and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €7,500-10,000

The Earliest Recorded Usage in Venezuelan Philately. 1859, 1r. blue, a very unusual example as a result of its extraordinary margins, rich shade and outstandingly detailed impression which is characteristic of the first printings, cancelled by three pen strokes on folded cover from Escuque to Maracaibo, paying the under ½ ounce single weight for a distance from 25 to 100 miles. Docketed inside "1859 3 Jany", on 3rd January 1859, representing the earliest recorded use of an adhesive in Venezuelan philately, consequently being a key item for the most advanced collection on this country. Cert. Moorhouse (2011), signed Von Lind.Provenance: Heister. (Image1)

Est. €12,000-15,000

The Largest Used Multiple of the 1 Real Blue. 1859, 1r. blue, strip of six, cut into on two sides, otherwise good margins, cancelled by fancy "Caracas" oval handstamp. Some wrinkles absolutely do not detract from this item, which is the largest used multiple recorded of this denomination. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Hubbard and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €5,000-7,000

1859, 2r. red, a marginal block of six from the bottom of the sheet, displaying a very fine rich shade, good to enormous margins at base, just touched in upper left corner, with the additional significant feature of being printed on thick paper; the original gum has cracked resulting in a small tear at bottom right and has a few paper hinge marks. A significant rarity representing the only examples of this value known printed on thick paper. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Heister. (Image1)

Est. €2,500-3,000

1859, 2r. red, in a delicate rose shade with large margins all around, tied by post-Páez "Correo de Venezuela/ Guayra/Franca" handstamp from the pre-adhesive period, on early cover (right-hand side flap missing) to Herrnhut (Germany), dated 8 February 1859, with the stamp only paying the carriage from Venezuela to St. Thomas ("p. Steamer" endorsement at top); manuscript charge in England representing 1/4d., with "17" Silbergroschen due applied in Aachen, and arrival on reverse. The only cover recorded addressed to Germany, bearing fine printing stamps, also representing the second earliest use known of this denomination and being one of just two covers recorded franked by this value with this cancellation. Cert. Moorhouse (2011) and Holcombe (1989).Provenance: Wise-Sanabria, Bustamante and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €5,000-7,500

1859, 2r. red, clear to large margins, paying the portion of the journey to St. Thomas on 21 January 1860, cover to Toulouse (France), tied by Caracas oval of loops, alongside showing "GB/1F60c" Anglo-French accountancy marking, French entry and "8" due marking on receipt. Ironed out crease at top which is imperceptible. Covers originating from Caracas with fine impression adhesives are rare. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Heister. (Image1)

Est. €1,500-2,000

1859, 2r. red, full to good margins except for being cut into at bottom right, tied by red "Caracas" oval handstamp with loops, paying the transit to St. Thomas on envelope dated 17 March 1860 to Paris, carried by British packet from St. Thomas to England with "GB/1F 60c" accountancy marking on front, with Calais transit and due marking to be paid by the addressee also on front. A visually attractive example of this franking displaying an unusual red cancellation. Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Heister. (Image1)

Est. €2,500-3,000

The Largest Known Franking of the 2 Reales Fine Impression. 1859, 2r. red, a remarkable strip of three with margins varying from clear to large, just touching the outer frame line in two places, and single example, cut into slightly on two sides, all tied by neat strikes of "Correos/Caracas" c.d.s., on 22 October 1860 cover endorsed "Vía de Inglaterra", thus indicating carriage by British packet, sent from Caracas to Pamplona, Spain, with London transit on reverse and blue "20 Rs." handstamp on front, the latter denoting the charges to be paid by the recipient in Spain, where it was backstamped on arrival. The internal Venezuelan rate to port of embarkation was not applied on correspondence addressed to overseas destinations, thus, the franking only paid the journey from Venezuela to St. Thomas, in this case, with 8 Reales, corresponding to a four-fold letter rate up to 2 ounces. From St. Thomas, the correspondence was carried, by British packet, but unpaid from the Danish West Indies to England. One of the most significant First Issue covers, possessing two important features with the significance conferred by being the highest denomination: the largest franking of this First Issue stamp on cover (this item being the only recorded), and in addition the strip of three being the largest multiple known on cover (see lot 17). Cert. Moorhouse (2011).Provenance: Bustamante and Heister. (Image1)

Est. €30,000-40,000

1859, 2r. red, a horizontal bisect showing complete sheet margin at left, just touching the frame line at top, used as 1r. on cover from Valera to Maracaibo, thus justifying the single rate applied for a distance between 25 and 100 miles, tied by "3" numeral handstamp from the pre-adhesive period, dated inside on 14th. January. A spectacular cover demonstrating the only recorded horizontal bisect usage of this stamp, with its desirability being further enhanced by the extremely rare cancellation. Cert. Moorhouse (2010).Provenance: Hubbard. (Image1)

Est. €1,000-1,500

1859, 2r. red, diagonal bisect with part of frame line lacking at right, otherwise good margins, showing three concentric triangles used as cancellation which resemble a Masonic symbol, used on cover to Maracaibo, probably originating from Trujillo and dated inside 13 July 1860. Cover edge splitting at top, of no significance. An exceptional and fascinating cancellation usage. Cert. Moorhouse (2010).Provenance: Hubbard. (Image1)

Est. €500-750

1859, 2r. rose red, a large margined vertical bisect showing portion of neighbouring adhesive at bottom left, used as 1r. on 24 May 1861 cover from Mérida to Maracaibo, tied by "0" numeral handstamp. Cover with vertical crease at left resulting in a small splitting at top and bottom. A very attractive usage of this denomination which, vertically severed, is very rarely encountered. Cert. Moorhouse (2010), signed Roura (inside). (Image1)

Est. €400-600

1859, 2r. rose red, diagonal bisect showing clear to large even margins, tied by pre-adhesive "0" on cover to Maracaibo. Docketing inside as originating in Cúcuta, a small Colombian city on the Venezuela border, dated 4 March 1864 and received on April 6; this cover, despite originating in Colombia, was consigned to a Venezuelan P.O. for conveyance through the mails, due to a logical advantage of postal expenses. A very scarce usage. Cert. Moorhouse (2010).Provenance: Hubbard. (Image1)

Est. €500-750

One of the Two Covers Recorded Bearing the Largest Multiple of the 2 Reales Fine Impression Value. 1859, 2r. red, a remarkable strip of three in deep shade, mainly showing very large margins except for being clear at part of the upper margin, used on 7 November 1860 cover to Pamplona (Spain), tied by "Correos/Caracas" c.d.s.'s, showing alongside blue "16. Rs" handstamp denoting the charges to be paid by the recipient. The 6r. franking paid the triple rate for the portion of the journey from La Guaira to St. Thomas, being carried onwards by British steamer; the internal Venezuelan rate to port of embarkation was not applied on correspondence addressed to overseas destinations. Slight soiling and barely visible vertical crease affecting the left-hand adhesive, as well as some rust spots to cover, not detracting. The largest multiple recorded on cover of this fine printing issue, of which only two are believed to exist and both offered in this sale; this item also exhibits the second largest franking of this stamp on cover. Cert. Moorhouse (2010), signed Holcombe. . .Provenance: Gebauer and Hubbard. (Image1)

Est. €15,000-20,000

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