The C.A. Stillions Collection of Washington D.C. Postal History

M. Sta. No. 1, Porto Rico, Aug 3 '98 (Playa de Ponce), military station duplex on Spanish American War patriotic cover bearing 2¢ rose pink (279Bc) , canceled by cork, addressed to La Moille Ill.; reduced slightly at left, 2¢ slight erosion, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,500 - 2,000.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FIRST DAY USE FROM THE FIRST MILITARY POSTAL STATION AT PUERTO RICO.

Military postal service for the Spanish American war was operated by the Railway Mail Service. As early as June 29, 1898, the RMS was instructed to provide three clerks for duty in Puerto Rico. The clerks were assigned to Tampa, Florida until a U.S. base was established on the island. Henry Robinson was designated as Chief Clerk. After waiting for three weeks, the railway postal clerks were ordered to report to Nathan Smith, Postal Agent for Puerto Rico, in Newport News, Virginia no later than July 23. They were to prepare to depart for Puerto Rico immediately. Accompanying the RMS staff were three Post Office Clerks.

On July 28, Henry Robinson and his staff steamed from Newport News Va. on USS St. Louis to Ponce arriving July 31, 1898, one week after troops had landed. Arrangements had been made for Robinson to set up shop in the Customs House on the dock at Playa de Ponce, two miles from the city of Ponce. With limited furnishings and supplies available. Soldiers were sent to the Spanish post office in Ponce to remove what useful equipment was available for use in the new military post office. At 1 PM on August 3, 1898 Military Station #1 opened as a branch of the Washington, DC post office in Playa de Ponce, Puerto Rico.

M. Sta. No. 1, Porto Rico, Aug 3 '98 (Playa de Ponce), clear railway duplex strike on 1898 cover to Marlboro Mass. with violet "Soldier's Letter/Collect postage from Addressee/W.F. Dusseault, Chaplain/6th Regt Mass. Vols." four-line handstamp, adiditional "Soldier's Letter" in pencil, "Marlboro, Mass Rec'd, Aug 16, 1898" arrival backstamp and 2¢ postage due stamp tied by cork cancel; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine, ex-Acevedo .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,000 - 1,500.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FIRST DAY USE FROM THE FIRST MILITARY POSTAL STATION AT PUERTO RICO.

This first station opened in the former Spanish Custom House at Playa de Ponce and operated there until September 17th, when it was moved from the beach to the main post office in Ponce. The provisional Porto Rico railway duplex was used for just ten days.

References: Illustrated in "Puerto Rico during the Spanish American War 1898-1900" by William Dipaolo, p. 34, fig. 11-14.

M. Sta. No. 1, Porto Rico, Aug 3 '98 (Playa de Ponce), clear railway duplex strike ties 2¢ carmine (279B) on 1898 cover front to New York City; some cover creases, F.-V.F. and rare first day use, ex-Preston, Gallagher .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $400 - 600.

M. Sta. No. 1, Porto Rico, Aug 5 '98 (Playa de Ponce), clear railway duplex strike ties 2¢ rose carmine (279Bc) on 1898 cover to Rosemont Pa., original letter datelined "Ponce, Puerto Rico, August 5, 1898" with interesting content " I hear that another steamer is to leave the port today for the States and I write this to go by it. My last letter carried me to the afternoon of the 28th, the day of our arrival here…At 4 P.M. the General told me to accompany him and General Miles to Ponce…the Port was a scene of indescribable confusion. There were 15 transports and man of war in the harbor. The man of wars men were towing boat loads of soldiers to the short and the steam launchers were towing the lighters loaded with horses, mules, wagons, quartermasters and commissary stores. As soon as a battalion landed it marched off the hot and dusty road to Ponce…The custom house was occupied by Gen. Miles and Wilson and staff… "; flap tears ending in small edge tear, F.-V.F. with excellent war content, excellent war content.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

M. Sta. No. 1, Porto Rico, Aug 6 '98 (Playa de Ponce), clear railway duplex on buff 1898 cover with patriotic crossed flag design endorsed "Soldiers Letter, Chas. K. Darling, Maj. 6th Mass. V.I." to Dedham Mass., 2¢ postage due canceled by manuscript, Dedham (8.16) arrival backstamp; some mounting abrasion on reverse, F.-V.F., ex-Kugel .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Posted on the third day of postal operations, arrived in Dedham where charged 2¢ postage due for a soldier letter. No penalty charged.

M. Sta. No. 1, Porto Rico, Aug 7 '98 (Playa de Ponce), railway duplex on legal-size War Department Penalty cover with imprint cross out and endorsed "Soldier Letter, Douglas Steele, Assistant Adjutant General, 1st Brig. 1st Div. 1st…" to Peoria Ill., precanceled U.S. 2¢ postage due affixed, forwarded to Summit Mountain N.Y., Aug. 24th arrival backstamp; small edge flaws and wear, F.-V.F. and early use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

M. Sta. No. 1, Porto Rico, Aug 9 '98 (Playa de Ponce), bold duplex strikes tie U.S. 1¢ green (279) and two 2¢ rose carmine (279B) singles on Boysen Co. corner card cover to New York City, Very Fine first week use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

M. Sta. No. 1, Porto Rico, Aug 11 '98 (Playa de Ponce), railway duplex ties 2¢ carmine (279B) on Camp Thomas Flag patriotic updated from " Guayama, P.R. " to New Milford Ill., forwarded to Rockford Ill., reverse with New York (8.20) machine transit, Chicago Carrier (8.23) and Rockford arrival; some wear, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

This cover was posted one day before signing of the peace protocol at Washington D.C.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Aug 18 '98, buff cover with pencil "Ships Letter, U.S.S. Puritan" endorsement to Davenport, Iowa, Aug 27th arrival backstamp; cover torn at left, slightly reduced at right, Fine and rare first-day strike of permanent Military Station 1.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

The U.S.S. Puritan was a heavily armed warship that saw duty blockading the port of San Juan and the attack on Fajardo.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Aug 18 '98, duplex on "Hold the Fort Boys, We are coming to Help You" caricature patriotic cover to Macungie Pa., endorsed "Soldiers letter" and signed by commanding officer, pencil "Due 2¢" and 2¢ postage due affixed, reverse with New York (8.26) transit and Macungie arrival cds; reduced at left, Fine and rare first-day strike of permanent Military Station 1.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Aug 23 '98, duplex ties 2¢ carmine (279B), corner faulty, on "On to Havana!" patriotic design showing Soldier and Flag in Havana Bay addressed to Good Spring Pa., Philadelphia (8.30) backstamp transit, enclosed letter datelined "Guayama Aug 18th 98" just five day before Military Station No. 2 opened at Guayama; upper left corner torn, light aging, Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Sep 10, 98, neat duplex cancels U.S. 2¢ green entire endorsed " Soldiers Letter, Edward L. Pierce, Co. F., 1st U.S.V., Porto Rico " to Syracuse N.Y., letter datelined "Sept 9, 1898, Ponce, Porto Rico" and mentions " …I hear all sorts of rumors about going home but nothing definite. My own opinion is that we will start in about a month. Our Colonel has deserted us and gone home, what for I don't know. They say the doctor ordered him home… ", Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Sep 28, 98, clear duplex ties 2¢ rose pink (279Bc) on Military Station No. 1 Cuba YMCA blue imprint cover to Kersey City N.J., reverse with Philadelphia (10.7) transit and Jersey City (10.7) arrival cds, Very Fine, ex-Kugel .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Oct 8, 98, duplex ties 1¢ green (279) on legal-size printed circular datelined "Ponce, P.R. 1. Octubre de 1898" to Barcelona, Spain, bold "Gonzales, Bonnin * Co., Ponce, Pto.-Rico" double-oval; couple small edge flaws, file fold, Very Fine and scarce 1¢ printed matter use, ex-Thompson .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Dec 7 '98, sharp duplex strikes tie U.S. 1¢ dark green (279) and 5¢ dark blue (281) on green 1898 Jaime Oliver Mayol, Ponce, Pto.-Rico. corner card cover to New York City at double the 3¢ letter rate, partial arrival backstamp, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Jan 15 '99, sharp bold strike of cds duplexed with barred oval cancels U.S. 2¢ blue on cream (UX13) to New York N.Y., light arrival cds, Extremely Fine and scarce Porto Rico military station use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Feb 8, 99, duplex ties U.S. 3¢ purple (268) as postage due on Moses & Helm New York City advertising cover bearing 2¢ carmine (279B) tied by "New York, N.Y. Jan 28, 1899" flag machine cancel to Ponce, Puerto Rico , New York "T, 15 Centimes N.Y." due duplex, blue crayon "3" cent due rating, purple "Feb - 8 1899" straightline; lower left corner nick, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Mar 15, 99, duplex with "1" duplex ties on legal-size cover endorsed from Ponce P.R. to Norwalk Conn., arrival backstamp, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE FIRST DAY OF USE OF THE "PORTO RICO" OVERPRINTED POSTAGE ISSUE.

This was also the last day of the Washington D.C. post office's administration of the Military post offices in Puerto Rico.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Rec'd, Apr 26, 99, bold backstamp on 1899 illustrated building ad cover bearing U.S. 2¢ red (279B) tied by "Malden Mass. Apr 18, 99" duplex to New York City, forwarded to Ponce, Puerto Rico with 2¢ Postage Due , pair and single, each canceled by cork cancel, New York " T, 15 Centimes " due handstamp, slightly rough opening at left, 2¢ due single with corner flaw, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

New York assessed 6¢ postage due (3¢ short payment plus 3¢ penalty) as it now required U.P.U. postage for mail to Puerto Rico.

Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., May 29, 99, bold duplex ties 2¢ red (279B) imprint single on Post Office Department, Post Office at Ponce, Porto Rico (Military Station No. 1.) penalty imprint cover from Chief Clerk W.W. Sterling to Trenton N.J., reverse with New York (6.5) transit and Trenton (6.5) arrival cds, Very Fine, ex-Kugel .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Registered, Sep 18 1898, Military Station No. 1, Washington D.C., Ponce, Porto Rico. (Baker SR-3), purple four-line postmark on cover bearing 5¢ dark blue (281) pair and strip of three , tied by " Arroyo " oval postmarks on cover from Arroyo to New York City, purple Oct. 6th arrival backstamp; some light gum soaks, small edge tear at left with bit of paper loss on back, a Very Fine and rare registry use, ex-Thompson ; with 2011 P.F. certificate.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

Advertised, Nov 6 1898, Military Station No. 1, Washington D.C. / Ponce, Porto Rico., purple four-line postmark on cover bearing 2¢ carmine (279Bc) tied by "Southbirdge, Mass. Oct 11, 98" duplex to General Hospital at Ponce, Puerto Rico, neat "Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Rec'd, Oct 28, 99" arrival backstamp, magenta ms. " Not at U.S. Gen. Hospital " at top, purple "Forwarded to Dead Letter Office, Washington D.C." two-line handstamp; small edge flaws, Very Fine strike, only two recorded examples .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $400 - 600.

Guayama, Pto. Rico, 9 Set 98, blue Spanish cds ties U.S. 1¢ green (279) , 2¢ pink (279Bc) , latter two singles, on 1898 cover to Liverpool, England , sharp "Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Rec'd, Sep 10, 98", New York " T, 25 Centimes " due handstamp, Liverpool U.S. Packet (10.1) backstamp and bold "5d" pence due handstamp; top right corner nick, otherwise Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

The Spanish handstamp was in use until September 29th 1898 when the American canceller became available.

Mil. Sta. No 2 W.D.C., Guayama, Porto Rico, Feb 26 '99, sharp duplex strike with "2" barred oval tying 1¢ green (279) and 2¢ rose pink (279Bc) pair , additionally canceled by cds rim on 1899 Farmacia Bruno corner card cover to New Haven Conn., reverse with partial military transit and New Haven (3.6) machine arrival; bit of edge wear and small tear, right 2¢ creased, a Very Fine, a Very Fine strike of this scarce duplex on commercial mail.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Playa de Mayaguez, Pto.-Rico, 23 Ago 98, Spanish double-circle on buff cover endorsed "Soldiers letter - J.S. Mansfield, Captain 11 Infantry, Comd'g Co. H" at left to DeRuyter N.Y., reverse with "Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Rec'd Aug 24, 98" and New York (8.30) transits; stain and reduced at right, Fine and scarce Spanish provisional cds use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

Mayaguez Provisional, 1898, 4¢ greenish blue, mostly full strike of 22mm " Postages 4cts. Correos " Provisional circular handstamp, "Mayaguez, Pto. Rico, 9 Set. 98" double-circle cds on "La Revista Blanca. Semanario de Literatura, Ciencias Y Artes" cover to Toa Baja P.R., clear magenta "El Dorado, Puerto Rico, 12 Se. 98" double-circle receiving backstamp (Toa Baja had no operating post office at this time, so its mail was received through nearby El Dorado); wear and opened roughly at right which is more evident on back than on front, Fine appearance, ex-Junghaans, Thompson .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $3,000 - 4,000.

THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE MAYAGUEZ 1898 4-CENT PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMP. A GREAT RARITY OF PUERTO RICO AND UNITED STATES POSSESSIONS PHILATELY.

As with the more famous Coamo and Ponce Provisional adhesives, the Mayaguez Provisional was created to prepay transmission of mail inside Puerto Rico during the period of transition when stamps were not yet available. Unlike the other 5c issues, this issue was oddly denominated 4c. The cover is accompanied by a letter written in Spanish from the Secretary of the Municipality of Toa Baja at the time, Mr. Jose Manuel De Loira, stating that he was present when the letter was received by the addressee and that he kept the cover as a curiosity.

References: Illustrated in Stamp Specialist, Chartreuse Book, p. 80.

Mil. St. Mayaguez, P.R. Sep 16 98, clear duplex with "3" barred oval tie U.S. 1¢ green (279) and 2¢ rose carmine (279Bc) pair on 1898 blue cover with "J. Tornabells & Ca., Mayaguez P.R." flap imprint to New York City, reverse with "Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Rec'd Sep 18 '98" transit and New York arrival, Very Fine, ex-Acevedo, Kugel, Thompson .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $500 - 750.

THE EARLIEST OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED MAYAGUEZ RMS DUPLEX USES.

Mayaguez, Porto Rico, Mil. Sta. No 3, Jan 19 '99, received backstamp on 1899 incoming printed matter cover from Spain bearing uncanceled Spain 1876 ¼c pair ; file folds, Fine and scarce incoming printed matter use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

(San Juan - Periodo Terregno) 1898 (Sep. 5) San Juan, Puerto Rico to Berlin, Germany, 3c postal card canceled by "Admon Central, Puerto Rico, 5 Set. 98" cds, German (9.19) arrival cds, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

During the "Periodo Interregno" from Armistice to Transfer Day (12 Aug. 1898 - 18 Oct. 1898), San Juan continued as a Spanish Post Office.

(San Juan - Periodo Terregno) Certificado, S. Juan de Pto. Rico, 4 Oct. 98, framed handstamps cancel Puerto Rico franking on blue 1899 registered cover to Zurich, Switzerland , large purple "R, San Juan, Isla de Puerto-Rico" framed registry handstamp, Zurich (10.19) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, ex-Kugel .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

(San Juan - Periodo Terregno) 1898 (Oct. 7) San Juan, Puerto Rico to New York City, cover bearing Puerto Rico 3c brown, 5c pink (2) , tied by sharp blue "Certificado, S. Juan, de Pto. Rico, 7 Oct. 98" framed handstamps, large "R, San Juan, Isla de Puerto-Rico" framed registry handstamp, New York (10.23) arrival backstamps, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

(San Juan - Periodo Terregno) Certificado, S. Juan de Pto. Rico, 18 Oct. 98, two framed handstamps tie U.S. 1¢ Trans-Mississippi (285) and 2¢ Trans-Mississippi (286) on small buff piece, "Mil. Sta. No 4, W.D.C. San Juan, Porto Rico, Rec'd Nov 18 '98" arrival cds, extra ink spot, Very Fine use on transfer day.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

Transfer day was the official end of the Spanish American War with control of Puerto Rico passing to the United States.

Mil. St., San Juan, P.R. Oct 19 98, RMS duplex strikes tie mixed franking of U.S. 2¢ rose carmine (279Bc) and Puerto Rico 1893, 2c green, 3c brown on 1898 commercial cover to Arroyo, purple "Sobrinos de Ezquiaga, San Juan, Puerto Rico" double-oval, "Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., rec'd, Oct 18 '98" backstamp, cover and stamp faults, toning, Fine and exceptionally rare U.S.-Spanish mixed franking use, ex-Thompson ; with 1990 Graus certificate.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

This letter was sent on the second day after official transfer of Puerto Rico to the United States.

Mil. St., San Juan, P.R. Oct 21 '98, RMS duplex ties 2¢ rose carmine (279Bc) on 1898 reduced cover front to Aquadilla; small flaws, Fine and scarce RMS duplex use, ex-Vega .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

Mil. Sta. No 4 W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Dec 20 '98, duplex ties U.S. 5¢ Trans-Mississippi (288) on 1898 Gran Hotel illustrated corner card cover to New York City, Dec. 28th arrival backstamps; some opening flaws and creases, otherwise Very Fine and attractive.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Mil. Sta. No 4 W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Dec 27 '98, duplex ties U.S. 15¢ dark blue (274) , rich color, on 1898 cover with preprinted address to Malden Mass., Jan. 8th arrival backstamp, Very Fine and scarce use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

Mil. Sta. No 4, W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Jan 3, 99, sharp duplex ties U.S. 5¢ Trans-Mississippi (288) on light buff cover to New York City, purple "Villar y Ca." merchant oval and endorsed per "Caracas" at top left, New York (1.9) arrival backstamp, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

Mil. Sta. No 4, W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Feb 10, 99, two strikes of duplex tie two U.S. 2¢ red (279B) singles on 1899 cover to Washington D.C., bold "T" in circle due handstamp for 1¢ short payment of 5¢ rate, Feb. 18th machine arrival backstamp, Very Fine short-paid use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

Mil. Sta. No 4, W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Mar 7, 99, bold duplex ties 2¢ Trans-Mississippi (286) on buff "War Department, Headquarters Department of Porto Rico, Secretary of Fomento" imprint cover to Cincinnati, Ohio; docketing, F.-V.F. use at the 2¢ soldiers rate.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $75 - 100.

Mil. Sta. No 4, W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Nov 9, 99, sharp duplex ties Porto Rico, 1¢ green (210) on picture post card to Washington D.C., view of San Juan, message states it was 102 degrees this morning, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

Mil. Sta. No 4, W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Nov 11, 99, duplex strikes tie Porto Rico 1¢ green (210a) and 2¢ reddish carmine (211) vertical strip of six on legal-size Department of Posts, San Juan, Porto Rico imprint cover to Burger & Co., New York City; some cover wrinkling, stamp creasing and flaws with bottom 2¢ corner repaired, Fine appearance.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Mil. Sta. No 4, W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Nov 14, 99, two duplex strikes tie 1¢ Trans-Mississippi (285) and 5¢ Trans-Mississippi (288) on cover with Cerscedo Hermanos & Ca., San Juan flap imprint to Paris, France , purple " S.S. Alfonso XIII " directional straightline, Paris Distribution backstamp, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

The Steamship "Alfonso XIII" was a Spanish passenger/cargo ship owned by Lopez Antonio, Compania Transatlantica Espanola, Barcelona.

Registered, Jan 30 1899, Military Station No. 4, Washington D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico., purple four-line postmark on 2¢ green entire bearing 1¢ green (279) , 2¢ rose carmine (279Bc) and 5¢ Trans-Mississippi (288) tied by four-ring cancels endorsed from A.O. Tillman, Ponce P.R. to New York City, reverse with New York (2.6) transit and Hoosick Falls N.Y. (2.7) arrival, Very Fine and scarce San Juan registered use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $750 - 1,000.

Registered, Feb 4 1899, Military Station No. 4, Washington D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico., complete four-line registry postmark on cover bearing 1¢ Trans-Mississippi (285) , 2¢ Trans-Mississippi (286) and two 5¢ Trans-Mississippi (288) singles, all canceled by grid cancels on cover to Barcelona, Spain , partial Barcelona Certificado (3.5) arrival backstamp; faint tone spot at bottom edge, reduced slightly at top, Very Fine and choice San Juan registered use with a complete strike.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $500 - 750.

Registered, Mar 17 1899, Military Station No. 4, Washington D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico., complete four-line registry postmark on legal-size cover bearing 2¢ Trans-Mississippi (286) , two pairs, and 5¢ Trans-Mississippi (288) strip of four , all canceled by grid cancels with preprinted address to New York City, Mar. 14th arrival some toning, reduced slightly at top and right, backstamp; one 5¢ small nick, F.-V.F., ex-Gallagher .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

Mil. Sta. No. 5 W.D.C., Coamo, Porto Rico, Mar 27 '99, clear duplex ties 2¢ Trans-Mississippi (286) , corner nicked, on cover with pink "Act. Assistant Surg. U.S.A." corner card handstamp to Dolgeville N.Y.; reverse with "Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Rec'd, Mar 27 '99" transit and Dolgeville (4.4) arrival cds, rare and Very Fine strike, ex-Diamond .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Mil. Sta. No. 5 W.D.C., Coamo, Porto Rico, Mar 9 '99, clear duplex ties 2¢ Trans-Mississippi (286) , corner nicked, on cover endorsed "Soldiers Letter, Herbert M. McConarthy, A.A. Surgeon" to his wife at Louisville Ky., Louisville (3.23) arrival machine backstamp; reduced at right, Fine and rare, ex-Kugel .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Coamo Provisional, 1898, 5c black, type I, position 3, full framelines all around, uncancelled and affixed to cover to Ponce P.R., "Military Sta. 1 Porto Rico, Wash. D.C. Recd. Aug. 19, '98" backstamp; opened roughly at right slightly into address and small tears on back, Fine.

Scott No. 201 ; $27,500 on cover  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

A RARE 5¢ 1898 COAMO PROVISIONAL ISSUE USED LOCALLY ON COVER, DURING THE APPROXIMATE THREE-WEEK PERIOD IN WHICH REGULAR STAMPS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST KNOWN ON-COVER USE.

Ten Coamo covers are known in total, including three which were used by Captain R. D. Potts on mail to San Francisco. Seven are known with single Coamo stamps exhibiting the proper local use within Puerto Rico during the approximate three-week period when regular stamps were not available. None of the stamps were canceled at its origination, probably because there were no cancelling devices left in Coamo when the Spanish evacuated.

Coamo Provisional, 1898, 5¢ black, type II, position 10, ample to large margins showing complete frame lines, good impression, tied by "Military Sta. 1, Porto Rico, Wash. D.C., Sep 19, 98" duplex on Potts correspondence cover to Presidio, California, reverse with New York (9.23), San Francisco (9.28) and Presidio (9.29) arrival cds., Very Fine, ex-Gallagher, Acevedo, Thompson ; signed W.H.C. (Colson), with 1992 P.F. certificate.

Scott No. 201 ; $27,500  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $15,000 - 20,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED PUERTO RICO COAMO PROVISIONAL USES TIED BY THE U.S. MILITARY STATION POSTMARK.

There are just ten covers recorded bearing the Coamo Provisions, of which three were sent by Captain Potts to his wife at San Francisco, these being the only covers extant sent abroad bearing a Coamo Provisional. As the stamp was only valid internally, it paid the portion of the journey from Coamo to Ponce, and this mail should have required 2¢ postage for onward transmission, but it was nevertheless accepted without additional franking by the military postal clerk.

Utuado Provisional, 1898 (5c) Violet Handstamp, clear strike of violet " Alcaldia Municipal, De Utuado " oval star provisional handstamp to denote 5c postage payment, "Utuado, Pto. Rico, 7 Set. 98" double-circle datestamp on buff cover with sender's purple "N. Canals y Ca" straight-line to San Juan, bit of ink erosion in address but overall fresh with very clear markings, Very Fine, ex-Junghaans, Scalley, Gallagher and Thompson .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE UTUADO MAYORALTY HANDSTAMP USED AS A PROVISIONAL AND SENT THROUGH THE LINES TO SPANISH-CONTROLLED SAN JUAN.

It is believed that in Utuado at this time, the mayor's office had control of the mail service, received payment for letters and struck the office's seal as evidence of the 5c prepayment. In the mayor's seal the coat of arms of Spain has been replaced with a star. This is also known to have been done in the towns of Camuy and Quebradillas upon arrival of American forces. When this cover was mailed in September 1898, Spanish troops still controlled San Juan. They did not complete their withdrawal until Oct. 18, when San Juan Military Station No. 4 opened.

References: Illustrated in Stamp Specialist, Chartreuse Book, p. 81.

Utuado Provisional, 1898 (5c) Violet Handstamp, clear strike of violet " Alcaldia Municipal, De Utuado " oval star provisional handstamp to denote 5c postage payment, clear "Utuado, Pto. Rico, 9 Set. 98" double-circle datestamp on buff cover to San Juan; file fold, small edge nicks and couple tears, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,500 - 2,000.

A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE UTUADO MAYORALTY HANDSTAMP USED AS A PROVISIONAL AND SENT THROUGH THE LINES TO SPANISH-CONTROLLED SAN JUAN.

It is believed that in Utuado at this time, the mayor's office had control of the mail service, received payment for letters and struck the office's seal as evidence of the 5c prepayment. In the mayor's seal the coat of arms of Spain has been replaced with a star. This is also known to have been done in the towns of Camuy and Quebradillas upon arrival of American forces. When this cover was mailed in September 1898, Spanish troops still controlled San Juan. They did not complete their withdrawal until Oct. 18, when San Juan Military Station No. 4 opened.

Utuado, Pto.-Rico, 27 Set. 98, unusually clear strike of double-circle datestamp on cover piece bearing U.S. 1¢ green (279) and 2¢ rose carmine (279Bc) to Aguadilla; some toning, few worm holes, Fine and rare piece.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $100 - 150.

This use of the Spanish datestamp was 18 days after the military station at Utuado had opened indicating a lack of canceling devices. The postage paid indicates non-first class mail. Utuado was occupied by American forces on 8 August 1898. The military post office opened on 9 September 1898. Aguadilla was occupied on 19 September 1898. Its military post office opened on 1 October 1898.

Utuado, Pto. Rico, 28 Set. 98, Spanish cds on cover endorsed "A soldiers letter, Frank E. Gray, Lieut. Comdy Co A, 6 Mass" at top right to Reading Mass., Oct. 7th arrival backstamp, uncancelled 2¢ postage due affixed; cover tears and nicked at bottom, F.-V.F. appearance, a scarce Spanish cds use .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

Mil. Sta. No 7, W.D.C., Yauco, Porto Rico, Jun 9, 99, clear military duplex ties 5¢ Trans-Mississippi (288) on 1899 buff cover to New York city, blue crayon "T" due marking, bold "Mil. Sta. No 4 W.D.C., San Juan, Porto Rico, Rec'd, Jun 10, 99" transit backstamp, partial New York arrival; top edge faults, Fine and rare Porto Rico military station.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $400 - 600.

Mil. Sta. No 7, W.D.C., Yauco, Porto Rico, Dec 10 '99, two duplex strikes tie faulty Porto Rico, 1¢ yellow green (210) pair on cover to Ponce, red "J.M. Gatell, Farmaceutico, Yauco, P-R." merchant handstamp, purple "Return to Writer, Ponce, Porto Rico" hand handstamp crossed out, purple " Address supplied and forwarded by Ponce, Porto Rico. " three-line handstamp and forwarded to New York City , and again to Fallsburg N.Y., various transits including "Military Sta 1, Porto Rico. Wash. D.c., Dec 18 '99" duplex and New York (12.30) transit; cover faulty, Fine Fine and rare Yauco Military post office use with Ponce auxiliary markings.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $400 - 600.

Mil. Sta. No 8 W.D.C., Juana Diaz, Porto Rico, May 6, 1900, clear duplex strike on 1900 Board of Charities of Porto Rico penalty cover to San Juan, purple " Postage Due '4' Cents. " straightline, reverse with Porto Rico, 2¢ Postage Due (J2) pair tied by grid cancel, "San Juan, P.R., Rec'd May 7, 1900" backstamp, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE MILITARY STATION USE FROM JUANA DIAZ.