# 344 (November 2010)

# 343 (August 2010)

# 342 (May 2010)

# 341 (February 2010)

# 340 (November 2009)

# 339 (August 2009 )

#338 (May 2009)
Several new issues open this number, followed by censored and privileged WWII covers.  One of the perforation gauges of the “small quetzal” issues of the 1950s is questioned.  The second part of the history of Guatemalan Government Palaces invites a visit.  Further notes on William Walker correct some statements in the previous article. A proposed series of articles on picture post cards is started with the early numbered Eichenberger set and a few further cancellations can be added to the modern types.

#337 (February 2009)
The first part of the history of Government Palaces shows that they were favorite subjects of stamp issues. Query on an unlisted marking and report on ISGC meetings are followed by a detailed study of the perforation and color varieties of the “small quetzal” issues, 1954-1987.  New issues, the illustration of additional modern varieties, and the story of the UFCO steamer s/s Castilla round out the issue.

#336 (November 2008)
There were many changes in Guatemala City street names over the years. The story of how the lintels of Tikal found their way to Europe after their discovery by Swiss doctor Gustav Bernoulli & their shipment by Franz Sarg.  Examples of the scarce red GUATEMALA prestamp postmark raise more questions than answers. Questions remain about the presidential autographs at the philatelic exposition of 1938.  Biographic notes on William Walker, new issues and varieties, and a press review complete the issue.

#335 (August 2008)
Rules applied to notices to call for registered mail show this was a strict procedure around mid 20^th c.  Cartero fees and church mail in Colonial Guatemala are uncommon.  The Panama Railroad was an important link not only for US but also for Central American mail. A new issue, the financial statement for 2007, further cancellation finds, mail auction #65 and announcement of sale of a prominent Guatemala collection round out this number.

#334 (May 2008)
The second part of the Memoirs of E.O. Crosby and additional information on third class post offices provide the postal history part of this number.  Interesting back of book subjects illustrate a variety and some unusual uses of the postal tax issues. A change in Librarian coincided with the presentation of the 2008 edition of The Postage Stamps Stamps of Guatemala, updated to the end of 2007. New issues continue as a regular feature.

#333 (February 2008)
To celebrate the society’s 60th anniversary, a complete run of El Quetzal on DVD is being offered at a promotional price during 2008. The lead article is the first part of excerpts of the Memoirs of E.O. Crosby depicting the Guatemala of 150 year ago. Colonial postmasters’ hand-stamps illustrate a rare facet of postal history.  Another miscut PC5, a new small numeral cancel identified and the usual new issue column round out the issue.

#332 (November 2007)
The lead article illustrates the COA catapult flights from Guatemala to Germany.  Two Swiss pilots carried out the first powered flights in Guatemala and El Salvador in 1912 causing great astonishment.  The use of some CUT8 markings was exceptionally long.  A PC6 with blue photo from Jacobo Arbenz, father of the well-known President of Swiss origin was sent to Switzerland shortly after his arrival in Guatemala.  A current listing of the available literature is given indicating their new shipment rates.  Views of the post office in the 1930s, an addendum to 350 Years of Papel Sellado, and new issues & varieties are the other subjects treated in this number.  

#331 (August 2007)
A wide range of subjects are covered in this issue, from the postal rates and routes of couriers in 1778 and new information of pre-stamp markings to forthcoming issues and varieties on modern stamps.  Reports and pictures document the annual society meeting and the festivities for the 75^th anniversary of Asociación Filatelica de Guatemala.  The photo of another “Temple of Minerva”, a set of so far unlisted texts printed on postal stationery cards and updates to the Guatemala Fiscal handbook complete previous publications. The difficulty of writing postal history appears from the remaining questions regarding the start of postal service in the town of Villanueva.  The society can be proud of its newest handbook which was award gold and special prize at its first participation in literature competition.  

#330 (May 2007)
The lead article is about Agencia Maritima Nacional Ltda, the commission merchants for importers and exporters at the port of San José.  The interest of this firm to philately was the many postal stationery cards with printed texts announcing the arrival of merchandise, availability of freight space for exports or communications to shareholders.  The article is completed by a listing of the loading and unloading rates applied in the 1890s at the port.  Two articles discuss pre-stamp markings, one of which could be a new discovery. A warning is given about a forged first issue cover.  The issue is rounded out by the latest new issues, the realizations of Mail sale #65 and a query about a surcharge color variety.

#329 (February 2007)
Promotion of Philately and the ISGC in Guatemala continues strong: pictures illustrate the last of a series of lectures and the exposition held at the Guatemala-American Institute last November.  The lead article of the journal is on the Railways of Guatemala and their impact on postal services, with details on their building, the stamps and stationery illustrating this means of transportation, the traveling post offices, and some of the railway schedules over the years.  A recently discovered commemorative card celebrated the main post office’s last inauguration in 1908.  A spate of new issues rounded out the journal.  

#328 (November 2006)
As indicated by the PAA poster on the cover page, this issue contains a variety of articles on early airmails, including current prices of first flight covers on eBay, incidents resulting from the competition between airlines and political issues at the beginning of WWII, and statistics, maps and diagrams of services available in the later 1930s.  Queries about a missing pair of Sc #21e and an unrecorded railroad marking expect members’ sagacity and additional input.  More pictures and notes from Washington 2006 are supplied, hopefully not only for the pleasure of the attendants.  Excerpts from a 1901 contract on UFCO steamer services between Puerto Barrios and New Orleans give new insights on their conditions to carry mail.  The issue closes off with the fascinating story of how a genealogy quest brought about the new president’s involvement in philately.

#327 (August 2006)
A substantial part of this issue reports on various society meetings in Guatemala and USA and illustrates the important turnout of members at "Washington 2006", the visit to the National Postal Museum and a Seminar on "Collecting Guatemala".  The latest new issues described are very handsome.  The difficulty of recording postal history exactly is illustrated by conflicting data on the opening of a post office in Tamahu.  The photo used for the stamp with the short-lived "Cardboard Palace" was determined.  Revenues were covered by a note on Sellos de Beneficiencia.  New early uses of the 1875 stationery were illustrated.  The 1953 National Fair Issue and its varieties made the title page. 

#326 (May 2006)
The issue starts off with the history of United Fruit Co steamer SS Sixaola and its tragic end during WWII.  Whether or not it had any connection with this event, the true story of a coffee shipment during these dark years illustrates the problems, and for once the profitable outcome of such risky business.  A sampling of the colorful receipts used in the 1970s for departure taxes by air and sea show that they can hardly be considered as revenues.  As in previous issues of the journal, there is a New Issue column.  Henry Hechler, collector, dealer and forger had many contacts with Guatemala in the 1880s: his biography is therefore welcome. The first issues in Quetzal currency had an exceptionally long life, which warranted an abundantly illustrated description.  Auction #63 realizations, the financial statement for 2005, an informal meeting at the St Louis Stamp Expo, and the I.S.G.C. program at Washington 2006 make up the current society news.  Project Cover log continues with illustrations of unlisted 1881 issue covers.  An inquiry on a (new?) color variety closes off the journal.

#325 (February 2006)
The cover page illustrates the varied productions of traditional majolica wares as an introduction to the latest  new issues: this actuality is completed by a note on forthcoming issuances and the illustration of a spectacular misperforated sheet. Interexpo in the Dominican Republic had a good showing of Guatemalan collections and literature and quarterly talks are now organized to promote the hobby to the public in Guatemala. The forged "Servicio interno" overprint on 1897 postal stationery has been found double, one inverted! A new list of Guatemala's postal agencies will certainly be useful to the cancellation collector. A second early 20th c. illustrated folded letter has been found, raising the question of how many others might have existed? Postal historians will appreciate photos of the Guatemalan government around 1896, and enjoy reading the stagecoach stories vividly describing the difficulty of travel before the advent of railroads. A new series of prison censorship markings and an uncommon addition to the cover log close off the journal.

#324 (November 2005)
Regular and society news include reports on the Board and General meetings in Grand Rapids. The rates and regulations for the transport of Guatemalan mail by LZ 129 Hindenburg zeppelin is illustrated by several of its various and rates. The history of the Templos de Minerva built under the Estrada Cabrera regime, includes illustrations of those still standing and the destruction of the main one in Guatemala's capital. Fraternidad Izabalense honored ISGC vice-president Jorge Baca for his help in the elaboration of the stamp issue promoting their department. Two covers give final proof that postage due numerals were always single digits. Guatemalan  presidents on stamps include brief historic data on their lives and administrations. Meter stamps have not revealed all their secrets, but additional data was obtained on the 1977 Christmas issue and the "Mystery of the missing quetzal" (ScC61a).

#323 (August 2005)
The lead article of this number illustrates and summarizes the many successive changes to Guatemala's main post office from 1875 to 1917. A series of historic photographs show the changes made to the building from its initial state of chapel of the Third Order to the neo-classic building it had become before it was damage beyond repair by the earthquakes that destroyed Guatemala City in December 1917 and January 1918. This number also has its lot of new issues and modern varieties and a report on youth activities in Guatemala. An example of dead mail documents previously unlisted markings. The issue closes with the stories behind stamp designs that never did get issued.

#322 (May 2005)
New discoveries can still be made on Guatemalan postal stationery - an update on previous listings of 1876 cards and 1920s notification stationery.  One of our most senior members tells about 50 years membership. The Gallussers and Camachos, notoriously known both as philatelists and bankers: a fully illustrated story of their lives and activities in the late 19th and early 20th c.  "Encuentro 2005", the show and bourse staged in Antigua together with Asociacion Filatelica de Guatemala was a great success.  Beware of fake large numeral cancels: they can be found even on foreign stamps!  Two new items can be added to the cover log of classical covers.  Much hunting is needed to assemble a comprehensive showing of the perforations and shades in the Waterlow issues.  The rare "missing bird" (C61a) has been found on cover!

#321 (February 2005)
The elevation to the dignity of cardinal of the first Guatemalan-born archbishop was celebrated with a 10 stamp + souvenir series.  New documentation is offered on the 1778 rate schedule on the basis archival data found in Spain.  The second part of the revised keys to plating the 1886 Rail Bond Provisional will be most useful to collectors.  A 110-year-old cover shows how easily delivery can be delayed!  The illustration of two franking meter proofs was an opportunity to detail the basic regulations for their use.  Notes about the 1897 issue may bring some new answers to collectors’ recurring questions.  Data from the archives throws new light on the second provisional issue of 1886.

#320 (November 2004)
Revised keys will make the plating of the 1886 Railbond provisional issue much easier (part 1).  Guatemala increased basic postal rates. Are other miscut PC8 recorded? El Salvador philatelic society has merged with Associated Collectors of El Salvador.  A non-competitive stamp show is planned in Antigua next February. New information but also questions remain about the provisional issue of 2003.  Reports on the ISGC meetings in Sacramento show the society is well.  A translation of the Postmaster's letter of August 1, 1773 to Madrid informs about the damage three days after the destruction of Antigua Guatemala. A new bit of information on the large quetzal die proofs does not solve all the questions. A

#319 (August 2004)
The lead article of this issue tells at least part of the story of 20th c. advice of receipt forms, a rather neglected aspect of postal history.  Printed matter was also sent as official mail and as such is stampless: the lack of stamps is offset by the interest of the historic texts and decorative hand-stamps of the sending offices. Did early purportedly airmail covers really fly? Even semi-modern stamps such as the Ubico issue of 1937 still have some unsolved mysteries – unrecorded flaws and unknown sheet sizes.  A query about the 20c and 25c die proofs of the large quetzal issue reveal that some unknowns remain.

# 318 (May 2004)
This issue starts out with the difficulties and pitfalls of dating pre-stamp fronts and wrappers. Unlisted proofs and unissued stamp designs complete the data in Guatemala-2. Modern issues are present both with descriptions of two colorful new issues and with a note on some notable size and color differences in a recent issue. Two unfranked covers show different reasons for assessing postage due. The series on Waterlow issues continues with the 2c on 5c provisionals of 1911.  Pan American Postal Union free franking privilege is illustrated on U.S. Legation diplomatic mail. The note on perforation varieties and gauge problems posted on the ISGC website was repeated for the benefit of members not on the web. Copies of  Scott #141 with centers out of register, and the cover of the elusive 1905 exposition souvenir letter cards illustrate the uncommon.

# 317 (February 2004)
Part of this issue is about various aspects of the postal tax stamps used in Guatemala between 1919 and ca 1950. A study of the 1919 issue and its many uses is followed by note illustrating how the 1927 issue was announced and by examples of their misuse in outlying areas such as Alta Verapaz. Guatemala continues an ambitious new issue programme and, for the first time, issued information about forthcoming series. An interesting article shows that newspaper and printed matters rates were not always the same as early as 1893. The series of articles about the Waterlow issues continues with the newest finds on the gouge flaws of the 6c of 1902. A cover of 1904 to China and disregard for routing instructions on another item of foreign mail illustrate the uncommon in postal history.

# 316 (November 2003)
Two new issues show that Guatemala continues its dynamic stamp issuance policy.  Postal stationery can be interesting in more than one way, either to illustrate a scarce example of dead mail, or as exotic (but unauthorized?) uses of remainders.  Boxes of modern covers at bourses are always worth examining: you will certainly find one or the other of the many covers prepared by the late dealer Kurt John Weiss … or maybe even come across a rarity such as ISGC1236! The use range of CPL20 postmark is further documented on local printed matter.  Whether or not some of the domestic first flights ended in crashes, the pilots were always considered as heroes.  Do you have a copy of RA5 with misplaced overprint?

# 315 (August 2003)
The second part of Cia. Nacional de Aviacion de Guatemala’s  history shows the recurring problems encountered with early domestic airmails.  Part, but not all of the mystery around the airmail stamp with missing quetzal (C61a) is solved.  The 10c stationery envelopes of 1897 are revisited with more questions than answers.  A Zeppelin card to an unusual destination: a coffee finca in Guatemala.  Two items illustrate that varieties can always be found on modern issues.  The origin and purpose of curious overprints are inviting comments.  The perforation guide started in the previous issue concludes with those of Taller de Grabados issues.   The full story of the engraved 10c “large quetzal” (ISGC50) is now known!

# 314 (May 2003)
Some additional details on the elusive 2^nd provisional issue of 1894 (Sc54) will explain why this stamp is so scarce. The first part of the story of Cia. Nacional de Aviacion de Guatemala reveals that in the early 1930s, the domestic airmail fee included distribution by special delivery!  A very early international airmail cover illustrates user enthusiasm over the rapidity of this new service.  Members are made attentive to the once per sheet control numbers on the reverse of two 1976 issues.  Further highlights on the Waterlow series are the difficulty of defining shades on the one hand, and an easy to use perforation guide on the other hand.  With a caveat, a few spurious items which appeared  in auctions are illustrated. The last 2002 new issue, illustrations for mail sale #61, suggestions on how to plan for the appropriate disposal of stamp estates,  and the financial statement for 2002 round out the issue.