The Steven Walske Collection of North American Blockade Run Mail continued...

VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED STRIKES OF THE "NUEVA ORLEANS" FANCY POSTMARK FROM THIS PERIOD ON A COVER. AN OUTSTANDING SPANISH ROYAL PACKET COVER TO FRANCE.

Spain established packet connections between New Orleans and Spain via Havana in March 1766. Royal Mail Packets ran quarterly between New Orleans and Havana and bi-monthly between Havana and Coruna, Spain. Mail between Coruna and France was routed overland. From 1779 to 1783, this service was severely disrupted by Spain’s participation in the Revolutionary War on the side of the Americans. Normal service resumed in 1783. Only three letters carried by Spanish Royal Mail Packets between New Orleans and France are known from the 1783 to 1793 period, including the example offered here. Furthermore, of the three examples of this fancy postmark recorded on covers during this period, one is in a permanent museum in Havana and the other is in poor condition.

Illustrated in American Stampless Catalog and The Postal History of Spanish New Orleans (page 25). Ex Dr. Skinner and Risvold (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED COVER WITH POSTAL MARKINGS APPLIED IN NEW ORLEANS, AS WELL AS THE EARLIEST RECORDED POSTMARK FROM ANY OF THE FORMER SPANISH POSSESSIONS IN THE PRESENT-DAY TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

Spain established packet connections between New Orleans and Spain via Havana in March 1766. Royal Mail Packets ran quarterly between New Orleans and Havana and bi-monthly between Havana and Coruña, Spain. Mail between Coruña and France was routed overland. From 1779 to 1783, this service was severely disrupted by Spain’s participation in the Revolutionary War on the side of the United States. Normal service resumed in 1783. Only three letters carried by Spanish Royal Mail Packets between New Orleans and France are known from the 1783 to 1793 period, including the example offered here.

In addition to the earliest known aspects to this cover, it is also one of only three reported covers showing the combination of these two markings -- both of which are beautifully struck.

Illustrated on front cover of The Postal History of Spanish New Orleans. (Image)

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