Your source for Costa Rica stamps knowledge (stamps, postal history, revenues, postcards and more!)
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 … Read more Costa Rica: pics of stamps – lots of pictures
It was common during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that important people from the government embossed their stationery. This was usually made using an embossing die made of either iron, copper or bronze. I was lucky enough to find 2 fantastic pieces of history: the embossing dies for Bernardo Soto and Tomás Guardia. Both … Read more Bernardo Soto and Tomas Guardia’s Correspondence Embossing Die
It is true that the stamp Scott 1 (medio real stamp)doesn’t have an error like the vertical pair imperforated horizontaly (Scott 1b), but we can find other interesting errors. For example double perforations. They’re not as difficult as the Scott 1b, but they’re very elusive. What’s really interesting about this errors is that they’re human … Read more Costa Rica Stamps – First issue, medio real (Scott 1) double perforations
Let’s head back to 1875. By this time -and after several printings- the plate of the medio real cracked to the point that it wasn’t able to be used anymore. So, another plate was made to continue printing, but there were some differences in the plate -really easy to see- from the previous one…Scott 1a … Read more Costa Rica Stamps – Scott 1b, the rarest Costa Rica stamp from the XIX century!
Every country’s first issue always attracts lots of attention from collectors. Well, Costa Rica’s first issue is not the exception. A really nice design and engraving makes this issue a real gem. It’s try that it’s easy -and relatively cheap – to get it, but the postal history is another story. Also, there is the … Read more Costa Rica Stamps – Double transfer on the first issue’s 4 reales