New Orleans to France, via Havana, Cuba and Corunna, Spain, 1784. Clear strike of red "YNDIAS" handstamp struck in Spanish New Orleans, perfect strike of red "ISLAS DE/BARLOVENTO" (Windward Islands) two-line handstamp struck in transit at Havana on folded letter datelined New Orleans, Aug. 3, 1784, to Bordeaux, France, manuscript "16" due rate

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.

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.

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