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Auction: SW1009B - The Collector's Series - Latin America
Lot: 1038

1920, 10c. "Lighthouse and Biplane", featuring "-30 CVS.-" surcharge, very fine and fresh on cover front addressed to Luis Octavio Gómez, tied by "Cía de Navegación/Aérea/Agencia Barranquilla" ribbon handstamp in purple and handstamped "22 FEB 1920" date adjacent, showing, at left, manuscript text by Mr. J. Soto "Recuerdo del primer correo aéreo. Para que tengas un recuerdo del primer correo aéreo. Cartagena-febrero 21 de 1920" and signature. Mr. J. Soto very probably made an agreement with the C.C.N.A. and prepared a very small quantity of covers to be given to friends, although these were dated as from the First Flight of February 22. Nevertheless, one may hypothesize, and it is also believed by few collectors, that these souvenir covers were flown on the first stage (Cartagena-Barranquilla) of the flight by the "Medellín" of 30 November 1920 (the plane suffered a breakdown at El Banco), since the surcharge of 30 centavos corresponded to the C.C.N.A. Nevertheless, this hypothesis can not be demonstrated and, on the other hand, the national postage is missing. Only six vignettes, surcharged with 30 centavos, are recorded, all being used on cover. This "souvenir" surcharge was also applied on the first single-colour C.C.N.A. stamp; very probably not more than 20 examples were produced for each issue. Gebauer 6a. Ex Jack C. Boonshaft.

Sold for
$3,600