The sea mail between New York and Valparaiso started on 30. August 1928. It was served by the "Grace Line" by ships all named after different female
saints. According to Cockrill there were four postmarks, GL1-4, according to Hosking only three, V1, V6, V7.
The ships were:
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Elisa
- Santa Maria
- Santa Teresa
- Santa Elena
- Santa Inez
- Santa Lucia
The service ended on Oct. 04, 1941, which was before the U.S. entered World War II.
Source reference:
Cockrill, Booklett No 54 und No 55
Hosking, Seaposts of the USA
Postage paid collector's cover with postmark GL1 to Hosking. Postmarked on board the ship "Santa Barbara" on 09 Aug 1934. Addressed to East Orange, New Jersey.
Postage paid collector's cover with postmark GL1 to Hosking. Postmarked aboard the ship "Santa Clara" on 17. September 1931. Addressed to Redlands, California.
Postage paid collector's cover with postmark GL1 to Hosking. Postmarked aboard the ship "Santa Maria" on Feb. 23, 1935 - note the inverted year. Addressed to Sebastopol, Calif.
Postage paid collector's cover with postmark GL2 to Hosking. Postmarked aboard the ship "Santa Inez" on 10. December 1938. Addressed to Medford, Mass.
Postage paid commercial cover with postmark GL3 to Hosking. Postmarked on board the ship "Santa Lucia" on 01. November 1934. Addressed to Brewer, Maine.
