Auction 191-195

20 c. bright blue in a superb rich shade, used on 14 March 1860 entire letter from Ambalema to Barranquilla, docketed '20' at upper right and franked accordingly; the adhesive tied by bold strike of oval "HONDA / FRANCA" handstamp in blue and just touched by file fold not detracting from wonderful appearance. The entire travelled on the coastal route down the Magdalena River, with 20 centavos pre-paying the single letter rate for a distance of 450 to 1350 km. A beautiful cover and of great rarity, believed to be the earliest recorded usage of this issue on letter. Cert. Moorhouse (2012).191: COLOMBIA & SCADTA, incl. Dr. Hugo Goeggel Collection + Mexico