A puzzling Rivadavia…

A few days ago as I was looking for interesting items in Stamp Wants, I came across an imperforated stamp, which had an oblique cut right-hand edge that made me think of a cut-out insignia, depicting Bernardino Rivadavia. I wrote to the seller telling him that I thought it was a cut-out insignia from an unused postal stationary envelope. To my surprise he responded that when he had looked at the stamp more closely again, he was able to see that it has watermark #86, which can be seen from the scan of the back, and what appears to be original gum. He asked med if I thought that a cut square from postal stationary has these features.

I took a close look to a similar Rivadavia postal stationary envelope which I have available and noticed that not only it did not have any watermark or gum, the image of Rivadavia itself, even if very similar at a first glace, was slightly different when carefully observed: it is more simplified and with less detail.

I then answered the seller that if the stamp has watermark 86 and original gum, then it is absolutely not a cut-out envelope. Postal stationary does not have these features.
What he had seemed to be half of an imperforated pair issued 1896-1897 which has, in fact, watermark 86. The seller agreed that this was the case and mentioned that the puzzling oblique cut right-hand edge is perhaps a true margin copy.

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Details:
Scott Argentina Catalog no. 110a. Date: 1896-1897
Thanks to: Doug (Noernberg Stamps) for the stamp dialogue and the images.

Cut out indicium

This indicium was cut out from a postal stationary envelope emitted between 1888 and 1992. These indicia were often cut out and collected. They were known as ”cut squares”. Nowadays when instead the complete envelope is collected, it is known as an “entire”. In some countries cut squares from unused postal stationary could be used as franking. Even though it is fragmentary, it is possible to see that the paper carries a watermark.

The postmark is dated July 5, 1890 in Ensenada, which is a town in the Province of Buenos Aires, located along the coast located at about 65 kilometers from the City of Buenos Aires. It was founded by Viceroy Gabriel de Avilés in 1801. In 1882 it was declared provisory capital of the province by Dardo Rocha.
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Details:
Vasen / Riese Catalog no. S16A. Date: 1888 – 1892

An English bookstore...

Newspaper wrapper in which, as the purple stamp on its top and back indicates, was sent by an English bookstore in Buenos Aires. The store went by the name "English Book Exchange" which was apparently located on Florida Street in the downtown area of the capital. This newspaper wrapper was sent by F.C.S. (Ferrocarril del Sur or Gran Ferrocarril Sur) to a man named Muggeridge who lived at an "estancia" or Argentinean farm named "Las Horquetas" (The Forks) in the department of Coronel Suárez (Province of Buenos Aires).

The address states Estación Coronel Suarez, where the post was delivered, from there on the name of the countryside establishment was enough for its proper delivery. The city of Coronel Suárez, which is head of the department of the same name, was founded in 1883. Originally it was called "Sauce Corto" (Short Willow).

This newspaper wrapper was in use during the time of President José Evaristo Uriburu. From 1887 Argentina enjoyed increasing prosperity due to an export-led economy, which lasted until about 1930.

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Details:
Vasen/Riese Catalogue no. F33. Date: 1896-1899

Iguazu Falls Stamp

The Iguazu Falls is one of the natural wonders of Argentina. The stamps below are part of a series created to promote Argentine nature, industry, and commerce. Here we see two specimens, one of which is overprinted in black "Servicio oficial" in two lines, used by government agencies. Note also the difference in color and printing quality of both stamps.















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Details (from right to left):
Scott Catalogue no. 448. Date: 1935-1951.
Scott Catalogue no. O65. Date: 1945-1946.

A first

My first entry and it feels like the world is full of possibilities. At the very least I hope to be able to share information on my Argentine stamp & entire collection and maybe, just maybe, get in touch with those of you who are interested in trading. Do you have Argentinian stamps? I probably have other stamps that will interest you! Get in touch and let's see if we can trade!




















Here is a good example of a newspaper wrapper sent to a company in Villa Casilda by F.C.O.S.F. (Ferrocarril Oeste Santafesino) in 1899-1902. Villa Casilda is a city in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina, that started out as an agricultural colony in 1870 and officially became a town in 1873.
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Details:
Vasen/Riese. Catalogue no. F35. Date: 1899-1902.