Lot# 2138A - Auction 250-256
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Lot# : 2138A Argentina
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1893 (March 16): Stationery wrapper Rivadavia 2 cts. green (Higgins & Gage 17), cancelled by Buenos Aires cds, sent from the newspaper 'El Diario' to Julio Popper at the premises of the well-known Wehrhahn company in Punta Arenas in Patagonia, Chile. The Wehrhahn company was established in 1885 , the oldest one in Tierra del Fuego and owner of the concession for large parts of that region. The lot includes another 1892 wrapper from 'El Diario' to Anvers, Belgium and an extensive write-up related to the Wehrhahn company and Punta Arenas.rnNote: The receiver Julio Popper (1857 – 1893) was a Romanian-born Argentine engineer, adventurer and explorer. Known as a modern "conquistador" of Tierra del Fuego in southern South America, he was a controversial and influential figure. He arrived in Argentina in 1885, where he became attracted by the possibility of gold mining in Tierra del Fuego. In 1886 he received a permit from the Argentine Government to form an exploration company to mine for gold near San Sebastián. On September 7, he found gold dust on the beach of El Páramo, in San Sebastián Bay. The expedition was rigorously and strictly enforced according to military standards with heavily armed men, with Popper in direct command of everything. Popper succeeded in unearthing large amounts of gold and his Compania de Lavaderos de Oro del Sud realized enormous capital gains on the Argentine stock exchange. A mint built to manage the gold has been adapted as the Museum at the End of the Earth, officially known as the Museo Territorial. In Patagonia, Popper maintained dominance with his private army. He issued his own coins and stamps to symbolize his power.Starting bid : 500 CHFHammer price : 1,100 CHF -
