Lot
1519 
Cuba, 1819 (Jun. 8) Brussels, Belgium to Havana, Cuba via Le Havre, folded letter carried privately to Mons and from there to Le Havre, where an agent paid "6" decimes for Mons to Le Havre, then by private ship to Havana where "NE" for Norte Europe and "4" silver Reales due handstamp; cover aging, Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER WITH "NE" AND DUE RATING HANDSTAMP.
After the loss of many colonies in the New World, Spain gradually loosened its old trade monopoly from the Royal Decree of Feb. 10th 1818. Cuba and Puerto Rico were allowed to participate directly in free trade. This meant an influx of mail from many nations into Cuba, and charges on incoming mail.