Sale 1279 — The Magnolia Collection: Classic Uruguay Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Tuesday, 28 March, 2023
Category — 1859 Thin Numerals - 180-240 Centesimos
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals, Plate Proof on Blued Paper (11P). Two examples, one from Position 74 (dot to the left of frameline aligned with upper ornament), other Type 14, both large even margins, deep shades on strongly blued paper, one with trace of faint horizontal crease, still Extremely Fine pair, less than ten are thought to exist, Position 74 ex "Tito" (Part 2, lot 144) and Gordon N. John, other ex "Concordia", each with 2008 Hernandez Rocha certificates ("no more than ten known")
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals, Plate Proof on Blued Paper (11P). Horizontal pair, Transfer Types 8-7, large even margins, strong color on strongly blued paper, Extremely Fine pair, less than ten are thought to exist with this likely the largest multiple, it is interesting to note the orientation of the Transfer Types, indicating more than one Transfer was produced
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals (11). Top right corner sheet margin block of 54 (6 x 9) comprising the top right quadrant of a sheet (204 subjects), original gum, several h.r.'s, prominent preprinting paper crease thru 9th row, couple creases, one of which has been slightly reinforced, trace of a few climatic toned spots, still Fine and important multiple highlighting the layout of the printing stone, we are only aware of two or three larger multiples (including two complete panes, both ex Gordon N. John), curiously all have the preprinting paper crease thru the 9th row, ex "Tito", with 2008 Rocha certificate
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals (11). Block of 32 with bottom right corner sheet margins, Positions 117-120 thru 201-204, top row Types 19-20-19-20, remaining rows follow 1-2-1-2/ 3-4-3-4 progression thru Types 13-14-13-14, lots of interesting lithographic transfer marks etc., original gum, h.r., huge margins all around, rich color, creases and small tears mainly confined to margins, a few thins (one breaks paper in third row from top), some toned spots, still a Very Fine appearing and impressive multiple of the 180c Thin Numerals issue, ex Lee, Hoffmann, and Gordon N. John, signed Diaz
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals, "Perce en Arc" Trial Perforation (11 var). Unused (no gum), strong color and impression, minor corner crease, otherwise Very Fine and rare, "no more than 5 known" per accompanying certificate, ex Caspary and "Tito", with 2008 Rocha certificate
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals (11). Vertical pair, large to full margins on each side, deep rich shade, sharp impression, clear strikes of "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 16 SEPTE, 1859" oval datestamp, Extremely Fine and rare, this is the largest recorded used multiple of the 180c, ex Moorhouse Estate
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals (11). Large to ample margins, deep rich color on bright paper, tied by perfect strike of "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 16 SEPTE, 1859" oval datestamp on blue folded letter to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Extremely Fine, the 180c Thin Numeral on cover is quite scarce, especially in this pristine condition with four margins and perfect cancel, ex Diaz, signed Diaz, with 2018 P.F. certificate
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals (11). Large balanced margins, lovely fresh color, tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 1 JUNIO, 1860" oval datestamp on folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, neat strike of "Apesteguy Hermanos, Montevideo" blue oval handstamp, Extremely Fine, a scarce and handsome use of the 180c Green on a double-rate cover, ex Dr. Hubbard and Moorhouse Estate, signed G. Bolaffi, A. Bolaffi, and Roumet
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals (11). Large margins to ample at bottom, tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 2 ENERO, 1861" oval datestamp on blue folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, blue rectangular handstamp, stamp with small pre-printing paperfold at right, Very Fine and scarce on cover, ex Lee, "Concordia", and "Tito", with 2008 Rocha certificate
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals (11). Mostly large margins to ample at top right, tied by light strike of Montevideo March 1862 oval datestamp on outer portion of folded letter to Rosario, Argentina, blue oval handstamp, Buenos Aires transit datestamp, cover with some minor splits along folds and stamp with pre-printing paperfold, still Very Fine and scarce single franking
URUGUAY, 1859, 180c Green, Thin Numerals (11). Huge bottom right corner sheet margin vertical pair, complete top frameline and huge to large margin at left, Positions 192/204, Transfer Types 12/14, deep intense color, tied by "Admon de Correos Rep. O. Del Urug, Mercedes" oval cancel on ca. 1860s folded cover to MontevideoEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT "SUN" ISSUE COVERS IN EXISTENCE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED USED MULTIPLE ON OR OFF COVER, AND THE FINER OF TWO COVERS WITH PAIRS.
The other recorded pair on cover is used from Paysandu to Buenos Aires (ex Dr. Hubbard and "Tito").
Ex Diaz. With 1964 P.F. certificate
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion on Thick Paper, Thin Numerals (12 var). Block of four, Types 1-2/3-4, original gum, small h.r., large even margins, rich color and sharp impression on distinctly stout paper, tiny toned inclusion in gumEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB BLOCK OF THE 1859 240-CENTÉSIMOS THIN NUMERALS ISSUE, AND THE ONLY BLOCK KNOWN ON THICK PAPER, WHICH WAS DESCRIBED BY EMMANUEL J. LEE AND ROBERT HOFFMANN AS UNIQUE.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the only recorded block of the 240c Thin Numerals on thick paper. It was described as such in Lee's monumental book on Uruguay (page 62, "on hard paper--unique") and in Robert Hoffmann's 1956 Grand Award exhibit ("[Item] 70. Another unique piece from the Lee collection: a block of 4 of the 240c. Thin Figures 1859 on very thick paper, not to be confused with the medium thick paper"). A photograph of the Hoffmann exhibit confirms the provenance of the block offered here. Curiously, in the 1982 Corinphila sale of the Hoffmann collection, this block was not described as printed on thick paper (lot 7715). The Scott Catalogue does not list this paper variety, but it is obviously of longstanding philatelic significance and great rarity.
Ex Lee, Hoffmann and Gordon N. John
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Block of four, Transfer Types 5-6/7-8, original gum, h.r.'s, large balanced margins, deep intense shade and strong impression, couple creases affecting three stamps and shallow thin spot on top right stamp, Very Fine appearance, a scarce block, signed Diaz
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12 var). Two examples, Transfer Type 12A with large circular "O" in "Montevideo" plate variety, both unused (no gum), full to large margins, fresh colors, one with large thin, Very Fine or Very Fine appearance, this is the most prominent plate variety of the 240c Thin Numerals issue, all five examples of this variety known to us come from Type 12 in the transfer group (probably just one position on the printing stone)--in addition to the two examples offered here, the Lee collection had two examples, one unused and one used (lots 404 and 405 in the 1942 Lee sale catalogue), plus an example on cover offered in lot 128, both ex Gordon N. John, sound example additionally ex "Concordia", other example signed Soto Hermanos
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Vertical pair, huge margins to ample at top with complete vertical frameline at right, clear strikes of "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 14 ENERO, 1861" oval datestamp, bottom stamp with shallow thin, Extremely Fine appearance, a rare used pair which is the largest recorded used multiple of this value, ex Moorhouse Estate
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals, Half Used as 120c (12 var). Top left diagonal bisect, large to ample margins including frameline at top, tied on small piece across the cut by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 3 MARZO, 1864" oval datestamp, Very Fine, no more than a few examples are thought to exist on piece and only one cover with the 240c bisect is recorded (offered in lot 134), ex "Concordia" and "Tito", with 2008 Rocha certificate
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Huge to large margins all around, fresh color and bold impression, tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 20 MAYO, 1860" oval datestamp on folded letter to Buenos Aires, Argentina, sender's directive "Vapor Montevideo" and "p. el Correo"EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 240-CENTÉSIMOS VERMILION PAYING THE TRIPLE RATE ON COVER TO ARGENTINA. A GEM EXAMPLE ON COVER.
Ex Hoffmann and Moorhouse Estate. With 1981 Diaz certificate.
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Huge Jumbo margins featuring three complete framelines and trace at left, vibrant color, tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 18 AGOSTO, 1862" oval datestamp on blue folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, stamp with faintest trace of crease in bottom left margin only, still Extremely Fine and choice used example on cover, ex Lee, Hoffmann, "Concordia", and "Tito", with 1981 Diaz and 2008 Rocha certificates
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Full margins all around, rich color, tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 18 FEBRERO, 1860" oval datestamp on blue folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Very Fine and handsome single use on cover paying the triple letter rate, signed Ciardi
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Large margins including complete frameline at right, deep rich shade, tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 19 MARZO, 1861" oval datestamp on blue cover to the Consul General of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Very Fine and scarce cover paying the triple letter rate
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Large to ample margins on each side, bright shade, tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 16 MAYO, 1862" oval datestamp on blue folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, sender's directive "p. Mississippi", stamp with few light soiled spots, otherwise Very Fine, ex Sciarra, "Concordia", and "Tito", signed G. Bolaffi and A. Diena, with 2008 Rocha certificate
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12 var). Transfer Type 12A with large circular "O" in "Montevideo" plate variety, large to full margins, rich color, used with 1860, 60c Gray Lilac, Thick Numerals (13a), huge margins to large, just touching at top right, tied by light strike of Montevideo oval datestamp on folded cover with Mar. 13, 1861 docketing and addressed to Buenos Aires, Argentina, 240c with small pre-printing paperfoldVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 240-CENTÉSIMOS THIN NUMERALS WITH THE LARGE CIRCULAR "O" VARIETY ON COVER. LESS THAN TEN THIN AND THICK NUMERALS COMBINATION COVERS ARE KNOWN.
This is the most prominent plate variety of the 240c Thin Numerals issue. All five examples of this variety known to us come from Type 12 in the transfer group (probably just one position on the printing stone). Two unused examples are offered in lot 120. The Lee collection had two examples, one unused and one used (lots 404 and 405 in the 1942 Lee sale catalogue), plus the example on cover offered here.
Ex Consul Weinburger and Moorhouse Estate.
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Large margins on each side showing framelines on three sides, used with slightly overlapping 1860, 60c Brown Violet, Thick Numerals (13b), large to ample margins, just tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 21 ABRIL,1862" oval datestamp on blue folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, sender's directive "p. Mississippi"VERY FINE. LESS THAN TEN COMBINATION COVERS ARE KNOWN OF THE 240-CENTÉSIMOS THIN NUMERALS AND THE THICK NUMERALS ISSUE.
Signed Buhler. With 2008 Scheller and 2009 Rocha certificates
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Mostly full margins to just clear at top right, used with 1860, 60c Brown Violet, Thick Numerals (13b), large balanced margins, both tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 30 ABRIL, 1862" oval datestamp on blue folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, sender's directive "p. Mississippi"VERY FINE AND SCARCE COMBINATION USE OF THE 240-CENTÉSIMOS THIN NUMERALS AND 60-CENTÉSIMOS THICK NUMERALS ON COVER. LESS THAN TEN COMBINATION COVERS ARE KNOWN.
Ex Lee, "Concordia", and "Tito". Signed E.J.L. (Lee). With 2008 Rocha certificate.
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Transfer Type 19, large margins all around including three complete framelines, used with 1860, 120c Blue, Thick Numerals (16), Transfer Type 12, huge margins to ample at left, tied by clear strike of "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, OCTbre 14, 1862" oval datestamp on folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, sender's directive "p. Menai"VERY FINE AND CHOICE COVER WITH THE 240-CENTÉSIMOS THIN NUMERALS IN COMBINATION WITH THE 120-CENTÉSIMOS THICK NUMERALS. LESS THAN TEN COMBINATION COVERS ARE KNOWN.
Ex "Tito". Signed Bloch. With 2008 Scheller and 2009 Rocha certificates
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Large to full margins on each side, used with two singles of 1860, 180c Yellow Green, Thick Numerals (17), Transfer Types 3 and 7, full even margins, all tied by three strikes of "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, DICbre 9, 1862" double-oval datestamp on folded letter to Buenos Aires, Argentina, sender's directive "p. Menai", cover with slight soiling, slightly affecting one 180c stampVERY FINE. A TRULY SPECTACULAR COMBINATION COVER WITH THE 240-CENTÉSIMOS THIN NUMERALS AND 180-CENTÉSIMOS THICK NUMERALS. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH BOTH HIGH VALUES OF EACH ISSUE. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT "SUN" ISSUE COVERS AND A KEY PIECE TO ANY AWARD-WINNING EXHIBIT COLLECTION.
This cover paid the nine times external rate, a remarkable amount for an unregistered cover. Ex Caspary, Hoffmann, Bustamante, and "Tito". With 1981 Diaz and 2009 Rocha certificates
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals (12). Horizontal pair, Transfer Types 13-14, mostly large to full margins on each side, used with 1860, 60c Brown Lilac, Thick Numerals (13b), large balanced margins, all tied by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, OCTbre 17, 1862" oval datestamp on folded cover to Buenos Aires, Argentina, sender's directive "p. Villa del Salto"EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE 240-CENTÉSIMOS THIN NUMERALS IN COMBINATION WITH THE 60-CENTÉSIMOS THICK NUMERALS ON A PRISTINE COVER. THIS IS THE LARGEST KNOWN USED MULTIPLE OF THE 240-CENTÉSIMOS AND THE ONLY PAIR RECORDED ON COVER.
This cover is one of the major postal history rarities of Uruguay. Not only is a pair the largest size used multiple of the 240c Thin Numerals, but this superb pair is the only one recorded on cover. Only a few off-cover 240c pairs are recorded, including lot 121.
Ex Caspary, Diaz, Dr. Hubbard, and "Tito". With 2008 Scheller and 2009 Rocha certificates.
URUGUAY, 1859, 240c Vermilion, Thin Numerals, Half Used as 120c (12 var). Bottom left diagonal half, large margins including framelines at left and bottom, tied across the cut by "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 25 FEBRERO, 1864" oval datestamp on folded cover to Buenos Aires, ArgentinaEXTREMELY FINE AND EXCEPTIONAL RARITY. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED BISECTED 240-CENTÉSIMOS THIN NUMERALS ON COVER. AN IMPORTANT URUGUAYAN POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT.
Bisected usage of any Thin or Thick Numerals stamp is extremely rare. We estimate approximately 20 extant bisect covers of either issue, mostly of the Thick Numerals. Only two recorded covers are known of the Thin Numerals, the example offered here and the 120c in lot 106. Most of the 120c bisects originate in towns and provinces outside of Montevideo, which experienced shortages of 60c stamps. This is also the only bisect of any value other than the 120c.
Ex Dr. Hubbard. Signed Bloch. With 2008 Calves and 2009 Rocha certificates.
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