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Auction: 24030 - Stamps and Covers of the World
Lot: 4035

(x) Venezuela
The Scarcest Stamp of Venezuelan Philately
The Latest First-Issue Use Recorded

1859, 1½r. red, the “La Grita” Provisional Stamp, a diagonal half with manuscript overprint "1½", representing a previously unissued denomination, just touched at the upper margin with wide space at left, on a cover dated February 1st, 1868 from La Grita to Maracaibo. The cover includes a manuscript notation alongside the stamp: "No hay Estampillas de a medio real" (no half Real denominations available), written by a postal authority or employee to justify the provisional usage applied to pay the single-weight letter rate up to half an ounce, corresponding to the third distance scale between 100 and 150 miles. Tape reinforcement on cover edges, but not detracting. This “La Grita” provisional, considered a legitimate postage stamp, is the rarest issue in Venezuelan philately. Only two covers are known to feature this provisional, with this item possessing an added rarity as the latest known use of any first issue stamp. One of the most significant items of Venezuelan philately and among the most fascinating covers of South American philately. Meri Certificate (2024), signed Von Lind. Photo

Note: According to research by Dr. Knut Heister, this provisional usage, instead of a combination of ½r and 1r values, occurred due to several factors: rates paid in the Andes region were mostly 1 and 1½ reales, leaving remainders of the 2r denomination available at this late date. Additionally, the unstable political situation likely prevented shipments of newer adhesives from reaching the interior, forcing the use of this provisional, despite the first issues being officially discontinued for postage from 31.10.1863. A decree from 20 January 1865 had banned the use of bisects, although this regulation was ignored, as proven by the 1866 and 1869 issues.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£20,000 to £30,000