Lot
5044 
Ecuador, 1865, ½r Blue, intermediate impression, clear to large margins, tied by "Quito, Franca, 3 Abril, 69" cds with second strike alongside on cover to Paris, France paying the internal postage to Guayaquil, routed via British P.O. with "Guayaquil, Ap 10, 1869" double arc cds and red London transit on reverse, bold boxed "GB, 1F90c" accountancy handstamp and "12" decimes due handstamp applied upon arrival; trivial cover edge wear and non-contemporary sticker at lower left, Very Fine, letters from Ecuador to destinations in Europe bearing the first issue as part payment of the postage are very rare, ex-Berkinshaw-Smith and Goeggel; with 1992 Holcombe and Moorhouse certificates. Scott No. 2 Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED FIRST ISSUE COVERS ADDRESSED TO A TRANSATLANTIC DESTINATION.
Realized: $4,500