$150.00
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Comemmorative cover from the final stop in this landmark expedition to traverse the American continent from Detroit to Tierra del Fuego. To quote Jim Benjaminson (who later tracked down the whereabouts of the vehicle):
“The Richardson Pan-American Highway Expedition is perhaps one of the greatest automotive stones of all time. In scope and magnitude it surpasses those pioneer automobilists that first crossed the United States at the turn of the century. The Richardson Expedition crossed not only this country but encompassed the area spanning two continents-crossing trackless wilderness, endless mud, uncharted territory and obstacles of every sort that Mother Nature could throw against them.
The men of the expedition, Sullivan C. Richardson, Arnold Whitaker and Kenneth C. Van Hee were many times called “Three Damn Fools” by friends and foes alike. It is a title that was perhaps fitting, considering the almost insurmountable odds against their succeeding -but succeed they did -and now that title is worn proudly- The Richardson Pan American Highway Expedition was perhaps the last great automotive adventure undertaken on the face of this earth.”
Signed by the three expedition members, the Comandante of the Chilean Navy, the Captain of the naval tender Galvarino and the American Vice Consul on the reverse. Tied by Scott 214, $1.80 Founding of Santiago. As written by Sullivan Richardson, the expedition leader:
"Later that night, in the tiny sale of the Galvarino, we brought out a number of expedition envelopes, which we intended to mail back to the States upon our arrival again in Magallanes. Cornerwise across them, we typed: "This envelope carried around Cape Horn August 19, 1941, at 3:00 P.M. by the Chilean Naval Tender 'Galvarino,' Wind, S.W. 7. seas heavy." Beneath that, the Commander of the Galvarino put his official stamp and signed each one in ink. Later at Magallanes, Comandante Arroyo did the same. It was official proof that we had "filled to the letter, the slogan of the Expedition: we had gone “From Detroit to Cape Horn!"
$225.00
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$75.00
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Imperf to right side. Two expertisation marks to reverse, including Sociedad Filatelica de Chile.
$50.00
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Spectacular doubled image of a plane in flight. Not recorded in SOFICH.
$125.00
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An under catalogued stamp.
$150.00
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Immaculate gum. Two expertisation marks to reverse, Roig and Vargas. Considerably undervalued in Scott.
$30.00
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$45.00
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Two blocks of six and one of four, all with marginal plate inscriptions.
$65.00
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The inaugral flight from Santiago to Magallanes took place on 20th January 1937 via Puerto Montt, where this cover joined the flight (a Sikorsky seaplane) the following day. Includes the sender's receipt for $1.50. Magallanes receiving stamp to reverse.
$85.00
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Complete set together with additional later shades on thicker paper (not listed in Scott). Includes the scarce 2p Bluish Slate (C28a) of which only 14,500 were printed. Mostly MNH but a few light hinge marks here and there.
$200.00
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The first official return flight of Chile's newly inaugurated airline took place on March 6th 1929 although letters were cancelled with a 7th March date stamp. The plane had to make a forced landing and crashed, the mail finally arriving in Santiago on 23rd March.
$250.00
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An important cover in the history of Chilean aviation. In 1928 Arturo Merino Benítez, concerned about the entry of foreign airlines that had expressed interest in establishing air services in the country and exploiting Chilean airspace, understood the importance this would have for the future of aviation in Chile.
He requested permission from the President of the Republic to establish a mail and air transport service between Santiago and Arica, to be operated by the newly created “Línea Aérea Aeropostal Santiago-Arica” (Santiago-Arica Air Mail Line).
First using a DH-60 Moth biplane (De Havilland 60 Moth), and then a DH-60G Gypsy Moth, on January 21, 1929, ten planes departed for the northern region, making stops in Ovalle and Copiapó before reaching Arica. Prior to the official inauguration of the airline, 36 flights were made to Arica, transporting 12 passengers.
On March 5, 1929, the President of the Republic, Carlos Ibáñez del Campo, signed a document that officially inaugurated the “Santiago-Arica Aeropostal Airline”. Operations then officially began with the placement of the mailbag in a compartment behind the cockpit.
The airline was renamed “Línea Aérea Nacional” LAN in 1932.
March 5th 1929 Santiago CDS with Arica receiving stamp to reverse. Period clipping from the South American Journal accompanies.
$250.00
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An important landmark in early Chilean aviation. Up until this experimental reconnaisance flight, letters bound for Argentina were initially transported on the Transandino rail service through the Andes. On 21/11/28 Jean Mermoz and his mechanic Alexandre Collenote made their first test flight to transport mail from Santiago to Mendoza and on to Buenos Aires with their Late 25 plane. All mail carried the cancellation “A expedier de Buenos Ayres 22 Nov 1928”. The success of the flight led to the first official airmail flight in July 1929.
$950.00
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Full sheet of the Waterlow printed, Scott Type 1 Cabezones, including sheet number to top right. Hinges on one row of stamps but otherwise unmounted mint. Foxing spots as per the images. Scarce as a full sheet.
$740.00
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ABNC set of plate proofs, just missing the 15c value. On India paper with seven value mounted to card. An attractive group.
$540.00
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A fine used block, watermark position 4. Large margins with target handstamp cancellations. Tiny cut into frame line of lower right stamp. 1996 Corinphila Certificate (corner crease is mentioned but not detectable). Sold for CHF 1300 + commission in the Islander Sale in 1996.
$50.00
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Only 1000 copies printed. Upper left corner perf missing, some paper adhesion to reverse. SOPA expertising certificate accompanies.$40.00
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Perf. 13.5. Large part original gum (aprox 75%) with largish hinge remnant.$175.00
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This seal saw very little use and was withdrawn from sale due to the misspelling of the country's name. SOFICH claims 'not issued' but this is contradicted by Chile Filatelico (no.51 1942) which asserts that the dark blue shade (there are other colours) was used. Double Concepcion strike and the only used example I've seen.$75.00
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Sepia on cream paper, printed by Henri Gillet. A classic and popular large-format design. Double 1898 cancellation completely clear of the image.$65.00
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$145.00
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Three Official Seals from the 1894 issue: Type I (CHILE shading to the right), Type II (CHILE shading centered) and Type III (bust of Columbus changed). Shades of reddish-lilac to lilac brown.
$95.00
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Claudio Gay Natural History Centenary blocks with selvedge. One 60c stamp has a thin, otherwise all MNH.$39.00
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Scarce imperf variety, not listed in Scott, printed on gummed paper.
$60.00
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Clear 24th September 1871 red, concentric ring Copiapo cancel, tied with 1867 issue, 10c blue.$225.00
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September 1854 Desmadryl printing, watermark position 1. There is an optimistic pencil notation on the reverse of the stamp 'verdoso' (greenish). I am more inclined towards slate blue. Four margins tight to right and a crisp impression. Expertizer's/owners mark to reverse.$90.00
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Only 20,000 copies printed.
$750.00
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The 'Marina Oficial' Naval overprints were used on an experimental basis and were affixed to official mail of the Ministry of the Marine. Genuine copies show the Minesterio de Marina Conforme backstamp in violet. A scarce set. Expertization mark on the 2c value.$110.00
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Well centered with a crisp corner cancellation. An under catalogued stamp.$150.00
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Faintest trace of a hinge mark with superb centering. Expertizer's mark to reverse. Under catalogued.$50.00
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A superbly centered, unmounted strip of four with marginal ABNC imprint. 1892 printing in a dark gray-green shade.$225.00
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Recess printed by Gillet in the distinctive burnt sienna shade with a light cancellation. Watermark position 2. Three very good margins with the fourth just touching at top right. Pencil notation to reverse.$150.00
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Perkins Bacon first London printing, watermark position 1. Four margins, tight to lower left and upper right.
$140.00
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Perkins Bacon first printing, watermark position 4. Four margins, very tight to left but not touching. Owner's/expertizer's mark to reverse.
$160.00
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'Blue line above head' variety, only found on plate positions 11 and 17. SOFICH 158a.$690.00
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Expertizer's mark (Roig) to reverse. A popular and under catalogued set.$165.00
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Printed in 1923 but uncirculated (see note after Scott 141). Pencil notation to reverse.$240.00
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Unmounted marginal example of the perf.12 1911 Bulnes inverted head. Under catalogued (a hinged copy sold at auction in January 2021 for $325). Two light tone spots to reverse.$40.00
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The blue seal was reserved for the exclusive use of the central return letter office in Santiago; the red for all other Post Offices. Both very nicely centered. Scott unlisted.$50.00
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Only 20,000 copies printed.$60.00
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Above average example with nice Valparaiso SON cancel. Only 20,000 copies printed.$175.00
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With only 948 copies sold, many examples of this stamp are forgeries (indicated by bright red ink and a lack of detail on the condor's wings). Very underpriced by Scott. Scarce MNH. Expertising mark to reverse. Slight toning.$160.00
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The top seven values to the first Presidents & Celebrities set.$160.00
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The top seven values to the first Presidents & Celebrities set.$175.00
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Heavyish hinges, some just showing above the upper perfs. An under catalogued set. The odd short perf.$75.00
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A premium quality set of the ABNC 1905-09 Columbus issue, including the less common green and gray shade of the 1 peso.
$50.00
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Three fresh blocks of 25. The 2p block is the inverted watermark variety, not mentioned in Scott but at a 5x premium in SOFICH.
