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Spanish Andorra

Europe & Overseas
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  • Lot# : 1311 Spanish Andorra

    1809 (June 30): Early entire letter from Andorra addressed to Mr. Jose Cortadellas de Calaff, transported by the "TRAGINER" Miguel Pales during the period of the War of Independence,with annotations of numbers and accounts, the money that is charged on the goods as well as the price of the postal service. Written in Catalan with interesting content concerning the transport and delivery of hams: "Honourable Sir, I would like to apologize my delay on the 'Pernil' (Jamon), but I have not yet met the carrier named Miguel Pales...." - Fine and very early example of the merchant's postal service carried by TRAGINERS and their mules or horses, in bags to compete with the official mail for the lowest price. A fine and very early example.
    Starting bid : 1,500 CHF
    Hammer price : 2,000 CHF

    Lot# : 1312 Spanish Andorra

    1818 (Feb. 20): Entire lettersheet from Andorra to Barcelona showing on the obverse "U.47/CATALUNA" in black applied in La Seu d’Urgell and part strike of "B.6' and "Fro.24" in black of Barcelona, written in Catalan: "Gentlemen, having received your estimate [costs] of the 14th of the current year, I would like to make room for the half-dozen aged hams you are asking me to make. In this whole valley I only know two and these two have told me that they are not to our satisfaction and do not want to pay more. But in the current situation it looks very difficult. I have given Ordinary Gallart the fundraising plans for you and recommended that he will be as careful with them as you are....". Fine and scarce correspondence from Andorra.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 1313 Spanish Andorra

    1845 (Oct.16): Officer letter bearing fine strike of "URGEL 5 CATALAN 16.OCT. 1845" in red, written in La Seu d'Urgell written in Castilian Spanish to his father in Corella (Navarra): On the third day of this month I received orders to go with a company as far as here because the captain could not go out because he is a defender and the lieutenant is ill, in fact I began my march on the 4th in the morning, with rain and the night with a rather intense heat, after resting to spend the night in Manresa, Cardona .... I became a neighbour of the Andorrans and French ... and ... with the change of detachment, the transfer of command and the search for a house, I do not rest for a moment. Interesting letter written during the Carlist Wars (1833/76) period, which had a strong regional component (Basque region and Catalonia) with the result of region–specific law and customs arrangements kept for centuries.
    Starting bid : 300 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold

    Lot# : 1314 Spanish Andorra

    1853 (Feb.9): Queen Isabella II 6 cs. carmine cancelled by mute barred obliterator in black on lettersheet from La Seu d'Urgell (Lérida) to Vic (Vich) showing "5 URGEL 5 CATALUNA" h.s. on front together with Puigcerdà (Feb. 13) transit- and Vich (Feb.14) arrival mark on reverse. Fine.
    Starting bid : 150 CHF
    Hammer price : 200 CHF

    Lot# : 1315 Spanish Andorra

    1814/20: Group of ten interesting letter- contents, starting with 1814 letter from Urgell to Andorra and nine examples originating from Andorra, including an interesting price-list: '1818/19 Nota dels pernils (jamon) y tocinos' (bacon) regarding weights and prices delivered by 'Casa Cortadellas y Compania de la Vila de Calaf' in Andorra. All letters carried by the so-called 'TRAGINERS' with their mules or horses, in addition to the delivery of goods. The merchants competed with the official mail to collect the lower postage. Fine and rare examples of this private postal service.
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : 850 CHF
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