1859, 5c Blue Violet, 10c Red Brown, 20c Blue (3c, 4, 6). Three different values of the First Issue, each with full to large margins, bright fresh colors, tied by two perfect bold strikes of "BOGOTA" oval handstamp on blue folded cover to Ambalema, "Mauricio Rizo, Bogota" double-oval sender's handstamp, receipt docketing "1859, Mauricio Rizo, Diciembre 19", file fold far from stamps

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED COLOMBIA FIRST ISSUE COVERS BEARING THREE DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS. THE QUINTESSENTIAL COMBINATION OF QUALITY, RARITY AND PHILATELIC IMPORTANCE.

This cover is illustrated in Dieter Bortfeldt’s Colombia Philatelic Handbook and Catalogue 1859-1860 (page 11).

Ex Jewell and Wickersham.

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