These "Sunburst Seals" are security seals prepared by the Mexican Postal Administration to insure the letter flap of the envelope was properly sealed and the letter would not be subject to tampering during its travels to the recipient. These were first introduced in September 1913. Their use ended about 1962.
The attached image is of the earliest cover I have encountered with one of these seals.
Prior to this 1913 date, the Postal Clerk was required to apply a wax seal with an impression identifying the post office where the certified (the Mexican term for what we call Registered in the US) letter was mailed. This process was too time consuming as the volume of registered mail increased. These are found on "most" registered covers mailed in Mexico during this period (1913-1962).
There were exceptions. Some writers would attach stamps to secure the flap, and when this was done, the postal clerk would not add the Sunburst seal. During the Revolutionary period (1915-1918), many of the northern Mexican States ran their one "occupied territory" postal system, and these seals were not available. I have seen other post office labels - including registration labels - used as these seals as well
The initial seals were blue and are embossed, using equipment that functions in the same manner as the US stationery was embossed, just on a smaller piece of paper. During 1918 there were experimental seals printed in red and green ink. The blue seals continued until about 1933, when they were replaced by those done in red.
There are a number of different designs of the Eagle and Snake (the national symbol of Mexico), as well as many minor varieties of each design.
The Nick Follansbee monograph mentioned is now out of print, but occasionally shows up on
ebay or Delcampe.
If anyone has specific questions, please ask them and I'll try to answer and/or post examples.
Mike
Posted 01/07/2016 2:10 pm
