Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

Panama, 1903-04, Registration, 10c on 20c blue on blue, First Panama Overprint. Blue "2615" handstamp, slight toning, used on cover with 1903 First Panama Overprint Issue: 2c rose pair (diagonal overprints), 5c blue, two pairs, 20c violet, 50c bister brown (inverted overprint) and 1p lake, all tied by blue black "Panama, 8 Mar 1904" duplexes on cover to New York City, magenta New York (3.23) arrival backstamps; reduced at right, couple stamp flaws, Fine.
Scott No. Panama F9 + 59, 60, 62-64; Estimate $400 - 600.

The so-called reprints of the first Provisional Issue should be divided into two groups, the first would be the overprints in the two original colors, rose-red and blue-black. These were prepared when the rubber stamp handstamp was quite worn and were for current postal needs. The second group would be the overprints made for sale to collectors. These show an even more worn handstamp and were prepared using inking pads other than the original colors. This cover has examples from both groups (2c pair and 1P are original, rest magenta reprints). Other covers show that the second group was acceptable to pay postal fees. By the March date of this cover, both the 2nd and 3rd Provisional Issues were available at the Panama post office.