Latin American Airs

I only collect world stamps up to1920, after that my knowledge gets fuzzy, rather like my brain, fuzzy. Anyway, yesterday I had dumped on me a seven volume collection, it's main focus seems to be Latin American Air mails. I purchased it because the guy said American Air Mails, and as my principle collection is US stamps it was a little, how shall I say, disappointing. Paid hardly anything for them. Now I am the unhappy possessor of all these Latin American air mails.

So I will get to the question, anyone know a good resource to study up on these, like a web site, book, club or anything like that, so at least I can learn more about them?

Hi,

You might want to start with http://www.americanairmailsociety.org/

In many cases, I would presume that the other end of air mail routes in Latin America terminated in the US and was flown by US carriers such as Pan Am and Panagra. This group might be a good place to start.

Idhaber, thanks, the link was a great help. Yes there are a whole bunch of airmails to and from the USA, most it seems to Florida, with a few to Cuba. Clipper mail (Pan Am). Now I am on my way, thanks to you.

Hello-

Stamps, or covers? Or both?

You probably have a Sanabria catalog. If you don't, they are great for airmails. Mine is 1946, which just about covers my interests.

Collin

both covers and stamps. I will have to get the catalog, thank you.

There hasn't been a new Sanabria catalog in decades, but they are pretty easy to find used when looking for them. If a high production value means anything, look for a Deluxe edition, which has gilt edges, thumbtabs and a bookmark ribbon. Very nicely put together.

The other day, a dealer and I were trying to establish an appropriate price for a French Legion "airmail" that isn't listed by Scott, and he turned to his trusty, but ancient, Sanabria and figured he'd use a factor of four times catalog value to begin to estimate a selling price. There was some back and forth, but I got the stamp, and I think I paid a fair price.

Tiger, there are worldwide airmail collectors and Central America collectors here on SCF !

Philb - why, so there is, thank you

Hello and Welcome, Tiger. A Mr. Giles is a very avid and intense Costa Rica collector, Phil has a passion for the bird (Quentzel)Guatemala, and I myself enjoy these. I also collect Honduras, Nicaragua, and slipped in Ecuador. I do have a substantial collection and interest in World Wide airmails also. Much of these are pre 1940, just love the early engravings.
As Phil stated, there are many others here for South/Central America collectors. Hope to see and hear more on these.

Also here are some sites you asked about.

Guatemal information
http://www.guatemalastamps.com/

Costa Rica
http://www.socorico.org/

Many more if you would like.

Thank you for your help. I have made the decision to dispose of the airs, some privately and some on ebay. I started putting the Peru airs up on ebay (my name is Willderspin on ebay, my wife uses the name theswedishtiger on ebay). When I get to 50 posts I will start trading the rest to you guys. The covers are going to a friend who collects world air mails, he lives in Scotland. I would have kept them but I soon realised, after looking at the two web sites you referred to (thank you for the links) that I had not a clue what I was doing in this area, and it would be a major distraction from my US research to do so. I will go back to my search for US airmails (I am really after the 1918-20 covers) and try buying a little more wisely next time.

SwedishTiger:

When you get to 50 posts, let me know what Costa rica airs you have.

Central American countries tended to issue more airs than regular stamps, as most of their mail went outside their respective countries.

David

I took a look at what you have listed, and you have some nice items there. Perhaps I'll bid on one or two to pass the time until we're both at 50 posts...

It seems that this post thing is not working, if I post ten posts the count goes up by two. No matter, when I do eventually hit the 50 number what country would you like me to trade. I am easy to trade with, I take most pre 1932 stamps.

Tiger, you do not get credit for every post...such as replying to the same topic..but if you start a new topic or reply to someone elses it counts..you are adding up fast !!

Welcome tiger
I am a world airamil collector. I look foreward to your reaching fifty posts so perhaps we can trade

Richard

Welcome Swedishtiger,

I collect W/W AIr mail stamps too.

Dave N.
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