Maritime Mail of Spanish Colonies in America

Chile Incoming Mail 1797 circa. Handmade envelope (opened for display) from Spain to a Brigadier, Politician and Governor in Chiloé (Chile), bearing manuscript "Por Buenos Ayres, Chile, y Valdivia" routing mark placed, as usual, at lower left, carried via Corunna with red "España" straight-line handstamp, following the American inland route Buenos Aires-Santiago de Chile-Valparaíso-Valdivia, with two strikes of Italic "Chile" postmark in red handstamped at Santiago. The manuscript "55" reales maritime rate was equivalent to the 5½ ounces weight, additionally with 13½ reales matching the inland fee for a total of 68½ ("68¾" also handwritten on front, according to the 1778 tariff). One of just two covers recorded jointly exhibiting the "Chile" and any "España" postmarks (both are included in this sale, see also lot 14).