Sale 1076 — The Daniel H. and Marcel V. Collection of Birds of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 26 June, 2014
Category — United States incl. Modern Errors
10c Yellow, Re-Issue (127). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, Very Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
30c, 1869 Pictorial, Atlanta Trial Color Plate Proofs on Card (131TC4). Seven, incl. black, scarlet, brown and blue frames, no duplication of colors, each with large to ample margins, one with light thin, fresh colors, Very Fine
30c Blue & Carmine, Re-Issue (131). Original gum, jumbo margins and outstanding centering, fabulous vivid colors on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE.
Since 1782, the Bald Eagle has been both the national bird and national animal of the United States. Being a symbolic part of American history, this bird is widely used to represent freedom.
With 1976 P.F. certificate
6c Waterfowl Conservation, Imperforate Between (1362a). Complete bottom right pane of 50 with plate no. 30351 containing five error pairs, wonderfully fresh colors, red crayon line in selvage as is often the case (not affecting stamps), Very Fine, an impressive multiple, Scott Retail as five errors with no premium for the multiple
6c Alabama Statehood, Dramatic Shift (1375 var). Complete top left pane of 50 with plate no. 31291 with a dramatic downward shift of the engraved colors of about 5mm, lithographed colors with correct setting (rose-red and yellow), offset on gum and trivial separation in left selvage mentioned only for accuracy, a Very Fine showpiece and a striking "freak" printing
13c CAPEX Issue, Yellow, Brown and Red Omitted (1757 var). Entire error sheet comprised of six panes with top left plate no. 38621, wonderfully fresh and pristine, Mint N.H.EXTREMELY FINE. AN UNLISTED, UNRECORDED AND UNIQUE ERROR IN A COMPLETE SHEET WITH SIX PANES. A VIVID AND STRIKING COLOR OMITTED ERROR.
We have been unable to locate any other example, either as a single pane or complete sheet, with this combination of colors omitted. A rarity of the utmost degree and most deserving of a Scott listing of which we believe will occur at the conclusion of this auction. An opportunity for either a U.S. modern error collector or collector of Bird stamps to acquire this unlisted error which beautifully shows four different birds on each pane (Cardinal, Mallard, Canada Goose and Blue Jay).
With 2014 P.F. certificate
20c State Birds and Flowers, Se-Tenant Sheet of 50, Completely Imperforate (2002d). Lower right plate no. 11111 pane of fifty, bright colors and incredibly fresh, Mint N.H.EXTREMELY FINE. BELIEVED TO BE ONE OF TWO KNOWN COMPLETELY IMPERFORATE PANES. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MODERN ERRORS IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY, NOT TO MENTION A KEY PIECE FOR A BIRDS OF THE WORLD COLLECTION AND ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MARCEL V. AND DANIEL H. COLLECTION.
This incredible rarity is one of the pinnacle items for both modern error and topical bird collectors as it features each of the 50 State Birds of the United States. The rarity of this sheet should not be underestimated as there were originally only four recorded panes - one of which has blind perforations and another that was inexplicably cut up by an investment firm which leaves two completely imperforate sheets. This particular sheet has only been offered twice before at auction, first in a 1988 Jacques C. Schiff, Jr. auction and once again in a 1997 Shreves Collector's Series Sale. The other known sheet has only been offered once in the 1983 Rarities of the World Sale and has yet to re-surface in the marketplace since.
No other examples have been found since 1989, therefore it is highly unlikely others will surface at this late date. It should then be assumed that the catalogue value listed for this item has little significance to it's true potential value
20c Waterfowl Preservation Act, Imperforate Vertically (2092a). Complete lower right plate no. 18 pane of fifty, fresh color, Mint N.H.VERY FINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE AND MOST LIKELY UNIQUE COMPLETE PANE OF 50 OF THIS MODERN ERROR.
The Mallard duck design used on this stamp was adapted from the artwork by Jay N. "Ding" Darling that was used on the first issued Federal Hunting Permit Stamp in 1934 (No. RW1).
Datz notes that only 100-125 pairs of this error is known. Therefore, this pane of 50 alone comprises about 20% of the known examples of this error. Datz value for horizontal pairs and strips of three
25c Love Issue, Dramatic Perforation Misalignment (2440 var). Complete bottom left pane of 50 with plate no. U3223 with gradually dramatic perforation misalignment, Mint N.H., Very Fine
29c Hummingbirds, Booklet Pane Different Color Proofs (2646aPb-i). Booklets panes of five cut into singles, represents each of the seven colors used to print this issue separately incl. yellow, magenta, blue, brown (birds only), brown ("USA/29" only), green (frames), and orange (frames), also with the finished design as issued, only missing one blank frame, Mint N.H., Very Fine and scarce, Scott Retail as booklet panes
1c American Kestrel, Die Cutting Omitted (3031Ab). Complete pane of 50 with plate no. B555555 in each corner, "post office" fresh conditionEXTREMELY FINE. THE UNIQUE DIE CUT OMITTED PANE OF 50 OF THE 2000 1-CENT AMERICAN KESTREL. NO OTHER EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN FOUND TO DATE.
Another major modern error rarity of the highest degree. This complete pane comprises of all the known examples as only this single pane has been recorded since being issued in 2000. After the passage of 14 years, it is unlikely another example will surface.
This is a key item to both modern error collectors as well as bird collectors. The American Kestrel, often called the Sparrow Hawk, is the smallest and most commonly found falcon in North America.
1c American Kestrel, Light Ink Applications (3031 var). Two partial panes of 40, one having a very light application of yellow, cyan and black leaving the partial pane a very vivid magenta color, the other with a light application of yellow leaving the birds feathers a very vivid magenta color, Mint N.H., Very Fine, accompanied by a normal partial pane of 40, a very striking and noticeable pair, each with 2009 P.F. certificates for the complete pane
6c Dark Blue & Carmine, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (C23a). Mint N.H. pair, incredibly well-centered, rich colors and unusually fresh, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
10c Ultramarine, Registration (F1). Mint N.H. right imprint, letter "A" and plate no. 5723 block of six, rich color, Fine-Very Fine block