2x
normal size 2x
normal size
These 'local' stamps of the Central American Steamship Company appeared in 1886 and are quite well known. Genuine used examples appear to be non-existant.
The set consist of 4 basic values - 1c green, 2c red, 10c blue and 50c brown, plus the 1c surcharged "GOOD FOR FIVE CENTS / 5 BUENO POR 5 / CINCO CENTAVOS" in three lines in violet. The design consists of a central vignette of a dual-funnel steamship, with the words "CENTRAL AMERICAN STEAMSHIP COMPANY" above, "NEWSPAPERS 1oz 2Cts" on the left and "LETTERS ½oz 5Cts" on the right. The date "1886" appears at the top of the design, flanked by "U.S." and "MEXICO". The fact of the 5Cts as part of the design makes the omission of an standard 5Cts value surprising.
They were printed in sheets of 98, perforated 11 (often roughly).
While some have been found with indecipherable handstamps, only a very few have what could be a genuine postmark. This is a double-lined oval cancellation with the company's name, the date (1886) and in the centre "SAN BLAS". This is a sea-port on Mexico's west coast which was, between 1880-90, part of political plans to make it a major part of the country's external trade scheme. A suggested rail-link was never built leaving San Blas isolated. The theory runs that the company was formed and the stamps prepared in readiness for the scheme. When it fell through in 1891, unused remainders came on the market.
Reference: Linn's Weekly Stamp News, Nov. 13, 1967.
Return to HOME Return to ITEMS INDEX