Sale 910 — The Scarsdale Collection, Part 1: Columbian and Later Issues
Sale Date — Friday, 21 April, 2006
Category — Air Post
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide margins all around, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2002 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $485.00)
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H., deep rich colors and detailed impressions, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2002 and 2003 P.F. certificates (the first as part of a block), with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $920.00)
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H., bright colors, vignette shifted strongly to left making this an outstanding example of the so-called fast plane variety, fresh and Extremely Fine, an desirable example of this shift variety, with 2000 P.F. certificate which notes "vignette shifted forward into the frame"
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H., brilliant color, almost perfectly centered with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression on blindingly white paper, marvelous centering with wide and even margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp of remarkable freshness, with 2001 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $485.00)
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., radiant color, remarkably detailed impression clearly showing every nuance of the design, choice centering with huge margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2001 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $520.00 as 95, $990.00 as 98)
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,250.00)
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. with plate no. at left, bright and fresh color, magnificent centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE. A STAMP OF GREAT VISUAL APPEAL.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,450.00 as 95, $2,350.00 as 98)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., radiant color, crisp impression, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP, GIVEN THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF 100 JUMBO BY PROFESSIONAL STAMP EXPERTS, IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF PERFECTION. THE KEYSTONE OF THE FINEST SET OF 1930 ZEPPELIN ISSUES POSSIBLE.
Collectors driven to pursue perfection will regard this stamp as the last and only $2.60 Graf Zeppelin they will ever need. This is the only example of the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin certified as Gem 100 Jumbo. The next-highest grade of the 146 graded copies is Superb 98. Not a single Superb 98 Jumbo or Gem 100 stamp has been graded, so there are two full grading categories between this stamp and the next-highest grade.
With 2003 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ does not price this grade, the highest grade they price is 98, which catalogues $7,250.00).
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Mint N.H., bright color, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $320.00), only three of the 231 graded copies have graded higher than 98