Mazatlan

Mazatlan, un real pair.
Sz 739 in red.
Mazatlan, dos reales plate 2.
Sz 739 in red.
Mazatlan, dos reales plate 3.
Sz 739 in red.

Mazatlan is located in the state of Sinaloa. It was the 10th largest postal district, based on the number of stamps used, and 10th by total value of all stamps used. The average cost of the stamps used was 1.70 reales. Mazatlan had about 15,000 inhabitants in 1867.

Mazatlan had 11 sub-offices: Badiraguato, Copala, Cosala, Culiacan, Fuerte (El Fuerte), Mocorito, Panuco, Rosario (El Rosario), San Ignacio, Sinaloa and Villa de San Sebastian (Concordia).

The following consignments were made according to Chapman:
  Day Month Year Invoice # Medio Un Dos Cuatro Ocho
Sent 30 8 1856 27 11520 9660 4140 660 1620
Sent 24 12 1856 95 6000 6000 6000    
Sent 28 1 1857 17 660 3000 6000 720 720
Sent 21 2 1857 38     7500 1500 720
Sent 21 2 1857 39 60        
Sent 6 7 1857 131 600 5000 1900    
Sent 30 9 1857 196 720 4000 4750 300 300
Sent 25 11 1857 238 600 5000      
Sent 17 4 1858 50 600 2000 2850   300
Sent 5 6 1858 78   2000 1900 600 300
Sent 7 8 1858 115 600 2000 1900 600 600
Sent 27 8 1858 132 900 3000 2850 900 900
Sent 31 8 1858 136   1000 950 300 300
Sent 14 9 1858 146 600 2000 2090    
Total sent       14 22860 44660 42830 5580 5760
Returned         -113 -35 -11 -139 -517
Total Used 120875 14 22747 44625 42819 5441 5243
Distribution         18.82% 36.92% 35.42% 4.50% 4.34%
Distribution vs. all stamps         2.99% 3.22% 2.66% 3.57% 5.60%

The cancel shown above, Sz739 in red, is valued at 7/10 = 70 points by Schatzkes. However, this cancel is very common, and should not be paid a premium for in my opinion. The same cancel in black is valued at 0 (zero) points, but it is much scarcer than the red.

The Mazatlan overprint is approximately 17½ by 2 mm with leading and trailing dots. It's generally nicely struck.
A similar overprint without dots was used on the 1861 issue (15½ by 2 mm).

On average, the stamps have normal margins for the issue.

Forgeries from Mazatlan are uncommon.

 

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