| 2485 |
 |
 Rotterdam, Holland to Richmond via Tampico,
Brownsville Tex. and New Orleans, by Antonio Costa's Express. Blue folded inner letter datelined at Rotterdam on Dec. 27, 1861, addressed to James Thomas at Richmond Va., carried via British steamers to Tampico, then by Costa's Express to
New Orleans via Brownsville, where franked by Warnecken & Co. (docketing on flap) with two 5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1) for C.S.A. postage to Richmond, tied by "New Orleans 15 Mar." (1862) circular datestamp, stamps with light horizontal crease at
top from fold, accompanied by one-page printed circular from Antonio Costa at 15 Customhouse Street with sub-text from Postmaster J. L. Riddell, dated October 15, 1861, folded with only very slight wearVERY FINE. AN IMPORTANT COVER AND
HISTORICAL DOCUMENT ANNOUNCING ANTONIO COSTA'S EXPRESS, SENT FROM HOLLAND TO VIRGINIA AND CARRIED BY COSTA'S EXPRESS BETWEEN TAMPICO AND NEW ORLEANS. COSTA'S EXPRESS EXISTED ONLY BRIEFLY, FROM OCTOBER 1861 UNTIL EARLY 1862. The circular
announces "Foreign Mail from New Orleans, via Tampico, Connecting with the British Mail Steamers" and states "The undersigned, now suffering in common with others, the inconvenience of blockade and non-intercourse with foreign countries; has, by the
advice and approval of J. L. Riddell, Post Master at New Orleans, taken all needful measures to establish at his own expense, a monthly mail between New Orleans and the Mexican port of Tampico, to connect with the regular British Mail steamers
touching at that port." It lists fees and states that "Letters from abroad can be received through the same route", providing instructions that the letters must be endorsed "By the West India Mail, via Tampico, care of Postmaster at
Matamoros". Postmaster Riddell's printed sub-text states "Letters intended for this Mail, may be enclosed along with the money required as per tariff above, and the outer envelope addressed, `Costa's Foreign Mail, care of Postmaster, New
Orleans'.", additional manuscript note in left margin reads "Postage on Letters to U.S. $1.15 pr -1/2 oz., Letters must be left open -- Return answer should be under cover to Mess. Loport Villa & Co. Havana" The circular and letter were
separated for many years, but the circular was reunited with the letter by Steven Walske in 2000 after the dispersal of the Dr. Hubert Skinner collection (Siegel Sale 832, Lot 3026). Both illustrated in Special Routes on pp. 165-166.
Cover with 1993 P.F. certificate (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com (imagea)
(imageb) |
E. $ 7,500-10,000
SOLD for $10,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
