During the 1920’s is very rare to find Costa Rica stamps used in correspondence to Africa.

Recently came to my hands one of those extremely rare piece of Costa Rica stamps’ postal history from the 1920’s.

A beautiful postcard depicting passengers getting into a train to depart from Limón to San José. That’s nice, but there’s a rarer factor to it. It has a 2 céntimos Jesús Jiménez stamp and was sent to Algeria!

Let’s begin explaining it one detail at a time:

• The Jesús Jiménez issue circulated for only 6 months. It was demonetized in December 31st, 1923. This postcard was sent in July 28th, 1928 from Limón.
• The postcard has another stamp, the 10 céntimos from the 1910 issue that was also demonetized at the end of 1923. It is a common mistaken belief that this issue was demonetized before 1923.
• This is the only piece of postal history with a Jesús Jiménez issue stamp sent to Africa! The 2 biggest Jesús Jiménez collections in Costa Rica don’t have any piece of postal history sent to Africa.
• It has the arriving mark at Algeria. It was a common practice not to hand-stamp postcards at the arriving country during the early 1900’s.

You can check some really interesting Jesús Jiménez’s issue errors here.

Make sure to review our tips for stamp collecting in the XXI century.

Want to buy the best philatelic supplies? Remember to visit the ultimate stamp collecting supplies list.

To keep your stamps and postcards safe from stains and getting damaged we recommend Lighthouse stock books.

Stamp Magnifying Microscope: Celestron 5 MP Handheld Digital Microscope 

Stamp Magnifying Lamp Desk Clamp-Mount 90 SMD LED Adjustable Spring-Arm

Make sure to view these amazing full stamp pane protective storage bags.

Manual perforation measurement gauge which has a really low price.

Electronic perforation measurement gauge, that has a higher price, but is easier measure perforations.

The post Costa Rica Stamps: Unique Jesús Jiménez Issue Usage To Algeria appeared first on Costa Rica Stamps.

Errors from the Jesus Jimenez issue that can be found are: shifted perforations, natural paper folds and mirror impressions.

Approved by the decree #6 of January 12th, 1923. The Jesus Jimenez issue was the third stamp issue printed in Costa Rica by Litografia Nacional. And it’s key to state that quality wasn’t a component at the Litografia Nacional. Therefore, we can find some very interesting errors from the Jesus Jimenez Issue.

First, perforations. We can find some crazy stuff! Double and shifted perforations. Apparently the perforation machines used during that time by Litografia Nacional and the people operating them were the ingredients for the perfect-philatelic-storm. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at these examples:

Now you understand what I mean, right? And the best thing is it isn’t the end of the errors from the Jesus Jimenez issue.

Probably the most common errors in this issue are the mirror impressions. Basically, it consist on fresh-non-dried ink that transfers to the pane above it, creating an impression on the gum.

And last, but also my favorite of the errors from the Jesus Jimenez issue…natural paper folds.

Natural paper folds consist in the paper being folded before the stamp gets printed. After printed, the paper unfolds or gets unfolded, generating white sections on the stamp where there should be ink. For a better idea, see the images below.

If you have other errors from the Jesus Jimenez issue not mentioned here, please send me an email to info@estampillascr.com. I will be more than glad to share it with everyone.

Want to buy the best philatelic supplies? Remember to visit the ultimate stamp collecting supplies list.

Make sure to review our tips for stamp collecting in the XXI century.

The post Errors From The Jesus Jimenez Issue appeared first on Costa Rica Stamps.

Are you that kind of philatelic enthusiast that likes to surf the web looking for pics of stamps from time to time?

Well, here I am to help you! I know that looking at stamps can be hypnotizing. I know that once you start, you’ll leave your computer until you saw the last one.

I’ve been a Costa Rica stamp collector for over 20 years. And i’m pretty sure I never get tired of looking at stamps.

That’s why Estampillascr’s Facebook page has more than 1,500 pics of stamps…Costa Rica stamps. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for, we have plenty! We divided them in several sections, so it would be easier for you to browse them.

You can browse our albums of surface mail stamps, air mail stamps, semi postal stamps, Christmas stamps and proofs. If you like cancellations on stamps, there’s an album too. Also we have albums for postal history and postcards. At last but not least the “errors” albums will take your breath away.

If by any chance you don’t find the stamp you were looking for, don’t panic! Just let me know and I will help you finding it.

Also, you can view the rarest and most expensive Costa Rica stamps from the Frederick R. Mayer collection auction.

The post Costa Rica: pics of stamps – lots of pictures appeared first on Costa Rica Stamps.

For no reason the issues from the early 1920’s are hard to find used on cover. The most difficult to find on cover is Scott 111J which consist in an overprint for coffee promotion that reads “COMPRE UD. CAFE DE COSTA RICA”. There are only 13 covers known with that stamp.

Scott 111J has an error (position 72): instead of “UD” it reads “VD”. Some people say it was made on purpose some say that it’s a legit error -that will be addressed in another post-.

So, what are the chances that if only 13 covers are known, one of them has the stamp with this error? Low, very low.

The nice thing about the mentioned cover is that it doesn’t have 1 stamp, it has a block of 4! and if that wasn’t amazing enough, it also has the 20 Cts from the Jesus Jimenez issue!

The post Costa Rica Stamps – Incredible cover with Scott 111k “VD” instead “UD” coffee promotion appeared first on Costa Rica Stamps.