Colonial Mail

The history of postal markings in Mexico begins in 1736 with the Correo Mayor of Vera Cruz. A number of markings were used during the Colonial Period (1736-1821), varying in scarcity from relatively common to extremely rare. Research has shown that stampless mail increases in scarcity as one moves back in time, particularly prior to 1830. Besides the age of the covers, there is some evidence why this is the case: fewer post offices. As noted by Yag and Bash, quoting from the Chapman records, the number of post offices is as follows:

It is most interesting to note that in Mexico there was not extensive usage of manuscript cancels. Most towns, even small ones, had handstamps of one form or another. If one considers just the year 1824, the Chapman numbers above indicate that there should be somewhere around 400 handstamp markings. But as Yag and Bash note, many of these have never been seen or may not have existed at all. Many contributions, discoveries and original work are yet to be done. This is why the Colonial period of the philately of Mexico is so intriguing. 

We are pleased to offer one of the rarest Colonial markings in Lot #1. Isaac Backal, one of the foremost collectors of this period, says in a recent article published by the Amexfil magazine 

The cover offered here is in pristine condition, and is probably the best extant. 

The color of the cancellations is also worth noting. Cancels come in various colors. Research by Yag, Bash and others indicate that black is the most common which is no surprise. Black is followed by red, brown, blue, green and purple in order of what is considered relative scarcity. Black and red likely represent the large majority with the other colors existing only in small numbers. It seems that colors other than black or red were used only sparingly or from areas where mail is quite scarce.

Stampless Republican Forwarded Mail

The use of forwarding agents in the delivering of mail goes back to the 17th century. With the discovery of the new world came expanded commerce, and with this a need for faster communications than what the government-run postal systems could provide. Thus an industry developed by which private individuals or businesses could provide faster services for delivering both cargo and correspondence. Many of these forwarding agent businesses developed in areas where the means for shipping and/or post offices did not exist. Some provided services during troubled times. 

Perhaps giving an actual definition for a forwarding agent would be helpful. Rowe notes the following definition:

Mexico had a good number of forwarding agents, most of which operated in the 19th century. Listed here are towns and the agents therein as noted by Rowe, and is by no means complete:

The markings of forwarding agents are an exciting and rewarding collecting area. While the individual scarcity of the agents varies, none are really what could be termed common. 

1856 First Issue

In December of 2000, Regency sold the outstanding collection formed by Dr. James P. Mazepa. In that auction catalog, David L. Straight wrote an exceptional introduction for the first issue of Mexico and we restate here in part.

Few countries offer as many collectable varieties or such complex postal history as classic Mexico. When President Ignacio Comonfort signed the decree of February 21, 1856 authorizing their production, Mexico became the first Central American nation to issue postage stamps. The design, a portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the parish priest who led an unsuccessful bid for Mexican independence in 1810, reflected the reform politics of the Comonfort government. With time for engraving and printing, the first stamps were placed on sale August 1, 1856 in Mexico; but did not reach the outlying postal districts until the end of the month. These first Mexican stamps were utilized during a period of turbulent civil war and foreign occupation that is reflected in a postal  history that includes Fractional usages, Provisional usages, Across-the lines mail, and Postal Fraud. Five denominations, to be used singly or in combination, were issued to meet the new postal rates. The first plates were of 60 subjects (6x10) with wide spacing between the rows and frame lines around the plate. Later plates of 200 for the 1 real, and 190 for the 2 reales, with narrow spacing between the rows were used.

During a period wrought with bandits and civil strife, stamps were transported by stagecoach from Mexico to the various postal district offices. In a scheme to prevent the fraudulent use of stamps stolen or lost during transport, district offices were required to overprint each stamp with the district name before they were sold or distributed to sub-offices within the district. Stamps lacking the district overprint were in theory invalid for postage. There are some exceptions wherein a few smaller districts failed to follow regulations and did not overprint stamps. Also, one stamp on a sheet might be missed; a sub-office received a consignment (naturally not overprinted) directly from the main post office; or stamps were affixed and cancelled without being overprinted. In these cases the districts are identified by the cancellations. There were approximately 60 district offices.

Noted below are the face value, colors, Scott number and quantity of each printed with these quantities not broken down by shade.

Mexico had been embroiled in continuous civil strife, which culminated in the War of Reform in the late 1850s and early 1860s, since the establishment of the Republic in 1824. Having borrowed heavily and defaulted on its loans, only the United States enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine prevented European interference in the Mexican economic chaos. In 1857, the Comonfort government promulgated a reform constitution, which was opposed by conservative elements in the church and military that seized control of the capital. When civil war erupted, Comonfort fled in exile leaving Benito Juarez to lead the reform government that retreated to Vera Cruz. The United States recognized the Juarez government, while European nations generally sided with the conservatives. After the reform elements captured Mexico in 1861, conservatives turned to France for assistance. Occupied with its own Civil War, the United States was unable to prevent the landing of European troops in 1861.

This is the atmosphere under which the second issue was created. In the chart below are the face values, colors, Scott number and quantity printed of each stamp. Numbers for the colored printings are not noted, as the quantities are not known for the individual colors.

In a country that has so many fascinating areas to collect, the Eagle issue of 1864 may be at the top of the list. Prior to 1860, Mexico breathed a chaotic atmosphere of Civil War and European intervention, both economically and militarily. Thanks to Juarez and others, some stability returned in the early 1860s, but Mexico was still in deep trouble financially. Because the United States was tied up by the Civil War, the Monroe Doctrine had lost its teeth and there was nothing stopping the Europeans from intervening. The French, Spanish and British all had troops arriving in Mexico. Europe wanted to collect money that was owed. For various reasons, the Spanish and British finally opted out but the French did not. Although the French found it much more difficult to deal with the Mexicans militarily than they had supposed, they did set up Maximilian as Emperor.

Lot 32, Eagle 3c Brown

It is during this period that the Eagle issue was created by the Maximilian government. The official release date was May 15, 1864, although it seems that some were used a few days earlier. They continued to be used until sometime in August, 1866. 

The Eagles are divided into five separate issues, usually referred to as Periods. These can be identified by what is and what is not contained in the district overprint and the year attached. The following information, as noted in Follansbee, gives the number printed for each value, combining all periods:

Maximilian Issue of 1866

One of the most challenging of all issues to collect is the Emperor Maximilian portrait of 1866. They are essentially two issues. The first is lithographed and the second is engraved. While both are fascinating, the engraved issue, especially used or on cover, definitely presents the collector with a formidable task as it was issued at the end of the Empire when the territory controlled by Maximilian was rapidly shrinking.

The lithographed issue is a gold mine for plate varieties. This means that collectors can pursue plate positions for plating purposes. Both issues yield a feast for the consignment overprint collector with a huge variety of areas and a good number of scarce to rare ones.

The information on the printing numbers is below as noted by Follansbee. The order is lithographed, engraved and the unused remainders of the engraved. For more detailed information see Chapman.

Provisional Usages of 1861 Issue

Following the collapse of the Maximilian regime in April 1867, there were no stamps for the Republicans to use. There were no Government issues until September 1868, except for the Gothics (Mexico City usage), which are not local issues as they were officially issued by the Juarez Government (although only to be used in correspondence originating in Mexico City). Most cities used stampless mail but a few cities used remaining stocks of the 1861 Issue, even though the issue had been demonetized in 1864. All of these provisional usages are quite rare. Determining provisional usage is possible only on used stamps with a verifiable cancel and on cover. Very few of these have survived. Dr. Jim Mazepa, in a very authoritative article in 'Mexicana', documented the immense scarcity of these items. We are very pleased to offer some of the rarest covers in this sale.

1867 Gothic Issue

The Gothic issue contains some of the rarest unused and used stamps in Mexico. There is no question that this issue is a challenge to even the most stalwart of collectors. Although some philatelists consider the Gothics to be a provisional issue, since they were meant only for use from Mexico City (though usages outside Mexico City exist), Scott has given this issue major catalog numbers and has listed them in Mexico proper rather than with the provisional issues in the back of the catalog. Scott is correct in doing so, as this issue was officially sanctioned by the legal government of the country. All relevant experts since the time of Fagol have had utmost respect for this issue as its rarity is extraordinary. In Scott, the highest price for singles in classic Mexico are concentrated in this section of that catalogue. There is no dispute as to  their desirability.

This issue was made from the remainders of the 1861 Issue by overprinting them "Mexico" in Gothic lettering which is how the issue got its name. There were new printings of most values (except 8 reales) in the 1867-8 period. There were two different handstamps used which differ only slightly. As noted in Follansbee, there are small differences in the lettering, namely in the length of the bottom left tip of the "M", top of the "c" and the dot of the "i". There are distinctive papers used as well, including a watermarked thin gray blue paper. Scott makes its distinctions based on the use of this paper. Gothics do have some errors, varieties and, unfortunately, forgeries. It is highly recommended that the Gothics should have proper expertization. 

The numbers below are believed to be correct for each denomination and paper according to Follansbee. He notes, however, that some of these are open to question, especially regarding the 4 reales. In any case, the actual numbers are relatively small. The 8 reales total includes both colors of paper, with the green on brown likely to number less than 1,000.

Very few collectors have ever built an important collection of this period. At the moment maybe 3-4 such collections exist. The collection offered here is surely among these and contains items rarely seen at auction.

GUADALAJARA PROVISIONALS 1867-68

Here we present one of the best collections of Guadalajara Provisionals in existence. This exhibition collection has been broken down into items offered individually and collection balances, with all items mounted on exhibition pages. Since the whole collection does not overlap, joint bidding for the entire holding is well worth consideration. The collector will find impressive rarities here, even in the collection balances. For example, there are no more than 300 to 400 covers or fronts believed to exist and this holding contains over 60 of them! The holding is well expertized with about 110 recent MEPSI certificates. It should also be noted that the holding is loaded with stamps and covers of which there are 30 or fewer known, many fewer than 20. If rarity and romance entice you, this offering will definitely start you bidding.

The philatelic history of the Guadalajara Provisionals begins when the Maximilian government lost control of the district to the Republicans in November, 1866, thus the stamps from the empire were no longer recognized. At first, remainders of 1856-61 issues and 'sellos negros' handstamps were used. Once these stamps were depleted, provisionals were created.