1898 KING ALFONSO XIII ISSUE
USED IN THE MARIANAS

1899 MARIANAS to MANILA
Single rate, franked by 2c blue-green and 3c, tied by with oval "GOBIERNO P.M../YSLAS MARIANAS" Arms handstamp in brown, backstamped Military Station 
No.1 (11.12).

Only one mail was possible bearing these stamps. After issue only the Steamer "Uranus" visited Marianas, which had been purchased by Germany on 12th February 1899. It was not until October 1st 1899 that the news reached the Marianas Islands, carried by the "Uranus". The Ship played host to the Official Transfer of Sovereignty of the Islands and sailed later in the year to Manila carrying mail using these stamps prior to the transfer to the German Colonial Post Office in Sampan on November 22 1899. Therefore all genuine mail bearing the 1899 surcharged issue has to be backstamped with "Mil. Sta. No 1 Manila. Phil. Islds./Rec'd/Dec 11/5 PM/99" cds.

EXTREMELY RARE COVER

Spink Sale 7046 Lot 37: Estimate £ 1,000-1,200. Realized £ 1,600.

 1898 15c olive slate 
on piece tied by oval 
"ADMON. PAGADA DE HA DE
MARIANAS" Arms cancel in brown.


1898: 5c Rose B/4
"Admon. Pagada de ha de Marianas"  Arms cancellation in brownish black.
Edifil 140; Scott 201; S.G. 226.

BOTH RARE

1899 MARIANAS to MANILA
Double rate, franked by 2c. blue-green and 8c. sepia brown, tied by fine strike of oval "GOBIERNO P.M../YSLAS MARIANAS" Arms handstamp in brown, backstamped Military Station No.1 (11.12) c.d.s in black.

Spink Sale 7046 Lot 38: Estimate £ 1,200-1,500. Realized £ 1,500.

 1898 (Jan.) 3c brown and 6c
blue tied on small piece. 
Scott 199, 202; S.G. 224, 227.
Provenance: 'Isabel' collection, 1992.

Frederick Mayer Collection
15c on Piece: Sale 7046 Lot 23: Estimate £ 150-180. Realized £ 280.
5c Used Block of 4: Sale 7046 Lot 8: Estimate £ 200-240. Realized £ 180.
3c & 6c on Piece: Sale 7046 Lot 7: Estimate £ 250-300. Realized £ 380.
3.01.2008