Sale 989 — 2010 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 19 June, 2010
Category — The Dr. Yamil H. Kouri Collection of Cuba Puerto Principe Issues
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 1c on 1m Orange Brown (177). Third setting (Cuba), Fourth setting (U.S.), Position 1, used with U.S. Administration 1899, 1c Green (221) and tied together by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba (date?)" double-circle datestamp on War Department return address cover to New York, two strikes of "Collect Postage" and "1 Cents" handstamps, back of cover with U.S. Postage Due stamp tied by "New York 2-6" duplex, opened for display, missing top flap, minor wear, provisional stamp defective, still Very Fine, scarce, an unusual usage after Jan. 23 demonetization, ex Robertson
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 2c on 2m Orange Brown (178-179). First printing, complete setting of the five positions comprising two horizontal pairs and a single, tied by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, Eno ?, 1899" double-circle datestamps on back of cover to Germany, receiving backstamp, purple registry handstamp on frontVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WIH A COMPLETE SETTING. IT IS ALSO THE ONLY RECORDED COVER TO GERMANY.
Ex Tows, Brock, Juhring and Robertson. Signed Bloch.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 3c on 1m Orange Brown (179B). Third printing (Cuba), Fourth printing (U.S.), Position 3, used with 2c on 2m Orange Brown (179), First printing, Position 1, tied together by 1899 double-circle datestamp on cover to New York, clear Havana and receiving backstamps, tear at top and some edge flaws at top, otherwise Fine, rare usage, ex Tows and Robertson, signed Bloch
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 3c on 1m Orange Brown (179B, 179D). Third printing (Cuba), Fourth printing (U.S.), Positions 2-4, horizontal strip of three, original gum, barest trace of what may be hinging, bright color, center stamp small stained spot at bottomVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM STRIP OF THREE OF THE 3-CENT SURCHARGE.
With 1992 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as singles
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 3c on 2c Orange Brown (179F). Second printing, Position 4, bright color, neat strike of 1899 double-circle datestamp, few small flawsFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 179F, WHICH IS ONE OF THE RAREST PUERTO PRINCIPE PROVISIONALS.
All known examples are defective to some degree. Ex Tows, Juhring and Bobertson. Signed Bloch.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 3c on 2c Orange Brown (179G). Second printing, Position 2, tied on small piece by neat strike of double-circle datestamp, small thin at top centerFINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS REPORTED TO BE THE FINEST OF THE THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS ISSUE FROM THE SECOND PRINTING.
Ex Tows, Juhring and Robertson. Initialled by Bloch.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 1m Orange Brown (182-183). Second printing, Positions 2-3, horizontal combination pair, original gum, pretty color, light corner crease at bottom rightFINE APPEARANCE. A VERY RARE PAIR OF THE 5-CENT SURCHARGE FROM THE SECOND PRINTING. THE THIN "5" IS ESPECIALLY RARE IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Ex Tows, Juhring and Robertson. Signed Bloch. Scott Retail as singles
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 1m Orange Brown, Inverted Surcharge (182a, 183a). Second printing, Positions 1-2, horizontal pair, tied by neat strike of double-circle datestamp on small green piece, negligible toning spotsVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY REPORTED PAIR OF THESE ISSUES WITH INVERTED SURCHARGE. A GREAT RARITY.
Ex Tows, Juhring and Robertson. Signed Bloch. Scott Retail as singles
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 3m Orange Brown (186). Second printing, Position 5, with selvage at left containing Position 4 surcharge, light strikes of circular datestamp, few flaws incl. reinforced perf separations, still Fine, scarce and desirable configuration, ex Robertson
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on -1/2m Blue Green (190). Second printing, Position 3, with wide selvage at left with surcharges from Positions 1 and 2, tied on piece by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, 5 ENO 1899" double-circle datestamp, some slight toningFINE. THIS MULTIPLE CONTAINING TWO SURCHARGES IN THE SELVAGE AT LEFT IS A UNIQUE MULTIPLE CONFIGURATION.
Ex Andreini, Brock, Tows, Juhring and Robertson. Signed Bloch
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on -1/2m Blue Green (190b). Second printing, in horizontal pair with unsurcharged, right stamp Position 1, tied by piece by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, 5 ENO 1899" double-circle datestamp, some slight toning spots, otherwise Fine, very rare, this is the only recorded example from the left side of the setting, ex Tows, Juhring and Robertson, signed Bloch
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on -1/2m Blue Green (192). Third printing (Cuba), Fourth printing (U.S.), Positions 1-3 with Position 2 surcharge printed in gutter selvage, tied by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, 5 ENO 1899" double-circle datestamps on pieceVERY FINE. A RARE CONFIGURATION OF THE 5-CENTS SURCHARGE WITH THE CENTER POSITION PRINTED IN GUTTER SELVAGE.
Ex Tows and Prats. With copy of 1978 Friedl certificate and signed Bloch.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 3c on 1c Black (196). Fourth printing (Cuba), Third printing (U.S.), Position 3, tied by blue oval grid of Santa Cruz del Sur and also by indistinct strike of "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, ? ENO 1899" double-circle datestamp on locally used cover, blue company oval datestamp at left next to return address, slightly reduced at left, light vertical file fold well away from stamp which has a few trivial toned spotsFINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED PUERTO PRINCIPE COVERS WITH THE SANTA CRUZ DEL SUR POSTMARK. A GREAT RARITY.
Ex Robertson. Signed Bloch.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 1c Black Violet (198). Fourth printing (Cuba), Third printing (U.S.), Position 5, tied by indistinct strike of Feb. 1899 double-circle datestamp on registered U.S. 5c Blue entire to New York, purple registry no., Havana and New York backstamps, light vertical file fold at center well away from stamp, Very Fine, an extremely rare cover fro this printing, ex Andreini, Tows and Robertson
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 10c on 1c Black Violet (200). Fourth printing (Cuba), Third printing (U.S.), used with 2c on 2m Orange Brown (178), First printing, Position 1, tied together by indistinct strike of 1899 double-circle datestamp on registered cover to Munich, Germany, purple boxed registry marking also ties 10c, blue receiving backstamp of Feb. 1, trivial cover wearVERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THIS 10-CENT SURCHARGE ON COVER TO GERMANY.
This is reported to be one of only two covers bearing Scott No. 200.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 10c on 1c Black Violet (200). Fourth printing (Cuba), Third printing (U.S.), Position 2, used with 5c on 4m Blue Green (218), Fifth printing, Position 4, tied by strikes of "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, ENO ?, 1899" double-circle datestamps on home made registered cover to Havana, receiving backstamps on Jan. 22, light vertical file fold well away from stampsVERY FINE. THIS IS REPORTED TO BE ONE OF ONLY TWO COVERS BEARING SCOTT 200. A GREAT RARITY.
Ex Houtzemer and Robertson.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 3c on 1m Blue Green (201). Fifth printing, Position 2, tied by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, ENO ? 1899" double-circle datestamp and also by blue Havana datestamp on cover to Havana, Telegram imprint crossed out, blue receiving backstamp of Jan. 19, two light vertical file folds do not affect stamp, slightly reduced at rightFINE. ONLY FOUR FIFTH PRINTING COVERS ARE RECORDED, AND THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED COVER BEARING THE 3-CENT SURCHARGE.
Ex Houtzemer, Bernichon and Robertson.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 3c on 3m Blue Green (205, 205b, 206). Fifth printing, complete setting of five in strip, original gum with few tropical toned spots as to be expected, Positions 3 and 4 the "eents" variety, few perf separations sensibly reinforced with those between Positions 4 and 5 mostly rejoinedFINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED INTACT SETTING OF THIS RARE PROVISIONAL ISSUE.ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE KOURI COLLECTION AND ONE OF TH MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS IN PUERTO PRINCIPE COLLECTING.
Ex Walsh and Robertson where illustrated on the front cover of the catalogue. Scott Catalogue is hopelessly outdated -- it has only risen $50 in over 22 years.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 1m Blue Green (211). Fifth printing, Position 2, tied by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, ENO 1? 1899" double-circle datestamp on small piece, bright color, Very Fine and choice, a beautiful example of this scarce issue, ex Robertson
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 1m Blue Green (211). Fifth printing, Position 5, tied by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, ENO 1? 1899" double-circle datestamp on small piece, rich color, few trivial toned specks, still Very Fine example of this scarce issue, ex Robertson
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 1m Blue Green (212). Fifth printing, Position 4 with narrow numeral, tied by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, 29 ENO 1899" double-circle datestamp on small piece, bright color, Very Fine and choice example of this great rarity, ex Tows, signed Bartels and Costales
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 2m Blue Green (213). Fifth printing, Position 2, tied by "Min. de Principe, Ysla de Cuba, ENO 1? 1899" circular datestamp on small piece, bright color, Fine example of this scarce issue, ex Robertson, with 1988 P.F. certificate
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 2m Blue Green (214). Fifth printing, Position 4 with narrow numeral, tied by "Correo de Puerto Principe, Ysla de Cuba, 19 ENO 1899" double-circle datestamp on small piece, radiant color, fresh and Fine example of this scarce issue, ex Juhring and Robertson, signed Bartels and Bloch
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 4m Blue Green, "eents" (217a). Fifth printing, Position 3, neat strike of circular datestamp leaves the variety clearly visible, Very Fine and choice example of this rare variety, ex Robertson
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 4m Blue Green, Inverted Surcharge (217b, 218a). Fifth printing, Positions 1, 2, 4 and 5, each neatly cancelled and with the inverted surcharge clearly visible, Position 4 on piece, few small flawsFINE. THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE THE ONLY FOUR EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENTS WITH INVERTED SURCHARGE THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS. THE FIFTH EXAMPLE IS IN THE CUBAN NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM.
One setting of five was printed. Of these, one is in the Cuban Postal Museum. This is the first time all four have resided in one collection, and this is a rare opportunity to acquire the world's supply of available copies.
Position 2 ex Juhring and Robertson. Position 4 ex Curie, Tows, Juhring and Robertson. Position 5 with 1993 Graus certificate.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 8m Blue Green (219). Fifth printing, Position 1, original gum, small h.r., fresh color, small natural inclusionVERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT SURCHARGE ON THE 8-MILESIMA ISSUE. ONLY TWO UNUSED EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.
Ex Robertson. Signed Bloch.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 8m Blue Green (219). Fifth printing, Position 5, tied by blue Jan. 1?, 1899 circular datestamp on small piece, fresh and Fine example of this scarce issue, ex Robertson, signed Bartels
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 8m Blue Green, Inverted Surcharge (219a, 219c, 220a). Fifth printing, Positions 1-5, the first three tied on separate pieces by blue circular datestamps, the last two similarly cancelled, the "eents" variety on Position is clearly visible as is the narrow numeral on Position 4, few tiny imperfectionsFINE. A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE ALL FIVE POSITIONS OF THE 5-CENTS ON 8-MILESIMA WITH INVERTED SURCHARGE.
Position 1 ex Andreini and Robertson. Position 2 ex Juhring and Robertson. Positions 3-5 ex Robertson.
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 8m Blue Green, "eents" (219b). Fifth printing, Position 3, tied by blue 1899 double-circle datestamp on small piece, fresh and Fine example of this scarce stamp, ex Tows
CUBA, Puerto Principe, 1898-99, 5c on 8m Blue Green (220). Fifth printing, Position 4 with narrow numeral, tied by blue Jan. 13, 1899 double-circle datestamp on small piece, bright color, Fine example of this rarity
CUBA, 1899, 2c on 2c Deep Claret, Postage Due, Inverted Surcharge (J2a). Rich color, unobtrusive cancel leaves the error clearly visible, some staining and small thin spotFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE CUBA 2-CENT ON 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE WITH INVERTED OVERPRINT. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
The example offered here is in better condition than most of the few other known examples of this U.S. Possessions rarity. With 1982 P.F. certificate