PUERTO RICO, Mayaguez Provisional, 1898, 4c Greenish Blue Handstamp. Mostly full strike of 22mm "Postages 4cts. Correos" Provisional circular handstamp, "Mayaguez Prto. Rico 9 Set. 98" double-circle datestamp on "La Revista Blanca. Semanario de Literatura, Ciencias Y Artes" (literature, science and arts weekly) 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, bottom right corner torn off

FINE APPEARANCE. 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.

Ex Junghaans. Illustrated in Stamp Specialist (Chartreuse Book, p. 80)

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables