Ecuador Stamp Collection For Sale

Collected during an extended business trip in 1977, this must be one of the most comprehensive collections outside of Ecuador.  There was almost no history of stamp collecting in the country, the only stamp dealer being in the coastal port of Guayaquil, the second city.

There were only three known definitive collections in the world at this time - two in Quito and one in a bank vault in New York.

When the dealer died in the early 70's, all the stamps in his premises were bundled into packages before being sold off, with the result that it was necessary to buy a whole pack in order to find perhaps two or three of the rarer issues.  I was lucky to be introduced to one of the members of the Quito Stamp Club, who were initially very suspicious that I was a stamp dealer who had come to remove their treasured resources from the country.

Eventually, I was accepted as an amateur and found them to be a very pleasant and friendly group of people who were very helpful in building up this serious collection of early issues with a scarcity value which will only be realised by the dedicated philatelist.

There are 1200 stamps in all (it wasn't until the mid-70's that the postal authorities caught on to the potential of selling stamps without having to provide the facilities!), covering the period 1896 to 1977, contained in two pocket albums.  There is also a photocopied section from the French Yvert catalogue of 1975 or '76, with all stamps marked.

The first stamps were issued by the Republic of Ecuador in 1865, and the 700 postal and fiscal stamps in the collection range from 1896 to 1975, together with a few blocks of later unused stamps and some duplicates, although most were left behind for the Club to encourage younger collectors.

Aereo stamps were first issued in 1928, but were Colombian stamps overstamped with the Ecuador name and a surcharge.  The first Ecuadorian airmail stamps were issued from 1929, and the collection includes 500 Aereo,  from the second issue in 1929 through to 1977.  Of course, these were much more difficult to obtain in Ecuador, as the used stamps had already been sent out of the country!

All the stamps are in prime condition, with a total Yvert value (1975/6) of FF.1115.

OK - so extended business trips are very boring!!

The asking price for this unique collection is £275 sterling, plus postage - the package will weigh around 1.2kg, including the albums - and insurance.

If interested, my e-mail address is terry@dewinne.freeserve.co.uk