Domestic Mail (11): “P. Nueva Carolina/ v Batabanó”

Endorsed “P[or] Nueva Carolina v[ia] Batabanó,” this cover traveled by an interesting route. Written at Havana on September 12, 1867, it was routed across the island to the port of Batabanó on the southern coast. At Batabanó, the mail was loaded aboard the vessel Nueva Carolina, and dispatched for the port of Manzanillo. The letter is backstamped at Manzanillo on September 16, 1867.

It is franked* with a 10 cent. stamp issued on January 1, 1867. This is the first Cuban issue appearing with perforations. All prior stamps had to be cut from the sheet with scissors. It also reflects a change in currency from reales plata fuerte to céntimos de escudo. One hundred céntimos equal one escudo. One half real plata fuerte equaled 10 céntimos de escudo, which was the single letter rate within the island of Cuba.

*An official marking indicating that no further postage is due.

Tome I, number 38b: Havana to Manzanillo, 12 September 1867.