Sale 1278 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 21-23 March, 2023
Category — Air Post
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., brilliant color, detailed impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,375.00), only two grade higher (at 100)
8c-24c 1923 Air Post (C4-C6). Mint N.H., bright colors, Extremely Fine, 16c and 24c with P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), 8c missing P.S.E. certificate which was graded XF 90, total SMQ $950.00
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H., bright shade and crisp impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $450.00), only nine grade higher, low numbers for such a popular issue
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,350.00), only three grade higher
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 XQ)
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,200.00)
10c Lindbergh, Air Post, Misperforated (C10 var). Block with selvage at right and partial plate number, horizontal perforations through the complete middle stamps, with portions of the adjoining top and bottom stamps, original gum, h.r., Fine, a dramatic freak
5c Beacon, Air Post (C11). Mint N.H., rich colors, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $450.00)
5c Winged Globe, Air Post (C12). Mint N.H., rich color, beautiful centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. and 2020 P.F. certificates (both Superb 98; SMQ $350.00)
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., each exceptionally well-centered and with rich colors, Extremely Fine and well-matched set, each with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,475.00)
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., 65c natural gum crease, Fine, $1.30 Very Fine, $2.60 natural gum skips, Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). 65c Mint N.H. with small gum skips, $1.30 with disturbed original gum and a pinpoint thin speck, $2.60 Mint N.H. and with minor gum bend, Fine-Very Fine
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H. with left plate no. 20078 selvage, mathematically precise centering with wide margins, bright color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 65-CENT GRAF ZEPPELIN, WITH THE PERFECT P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $4,250.00). Only five have achieved this perfect grade with two higher.
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., bright color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. and 2012 P.F. certificates (with selvage, XF 90; SMQ $475.00)
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Jumbo margins and choice centering, New York circular datestamp and trace of red cancel at lower left, Extremely Fine, P.S.E. certificate no. 1032117 no longer accompanies (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00)
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 20079 block of six, fresh color, some small gum skips most noticeably on the bottom right stamp, Very Fine
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,750.00). Only 16 grade higher (six at 98J, ten at 100)
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., with top plate no. F20086 selvage, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $650.00)
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). With plate no. 200588 selvage at right, wide margins and outstanding centering, faintly cancelled, Extremely Fine, P.F. certificate no. 381953 no longer accompanies
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Bottom plate no. 20087 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, rich color, Very Fine
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., pretty shade, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00)
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., rich color, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 1990 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00)
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,250.00)
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Bottom plate no. 20092 block of six, top middle stamp hinged, other five Mint N.H., strong color, natural gum bend affects left pair, Fine-Very Fine
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, deep rich color, slogan machine cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PERFECT USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $6,000.00). Only two used C15's have achieved this perfect graded, which is the highest awarded. We have not offered the other.
5c Winged Globe, Air Post (C16). Mint N.H., wide margins and exceptional centering, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Myerson, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $750.00), only nine grade higher
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Mint N.H. top plate no. 21178 block of six, well-centered, fresh color, Very Fine
25c Blue, Trans-Pacific, Air Post (C20). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $500.00), only one grades higher (realized $4,750 hammer in 2021)
20c Green, Trans-Pacific, Air Post (C21). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $750.00), only five grade higher (four at 100)
6c Eagle, Dark Blue & Carmine, Air Post, 16c Red & Blue, Air Post Special Delivery (C23, CE2). Three of each and each showing dramatic vignette shift, first with shifts down, right and up, second with shifts to the right and up (one used), few faults, still Very Fine and dramatic, two normal of first accompany for comparison
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6c Dark Blue & Carmine, Air Post, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (C23a). Full top plate no. 21844 and 21836 double "TOP" and arrow block of four, position numbers lightly noted in pencil on gum, Mint N.H. except for a slight gum disturbance at the far top of the selvage above the right stamp, wonderfully fresh, Fine-Very Fine, a scarce error plate block
6c Dark Blue & Carmine, Air Post, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (C23a). Mint N.H. bottom right selvage block of four, position numbers lightly noted in pencil on gum, well-centered, Very Fine, each signed Kessler, Scott value as two pairs
6c Dark Blue & Carmine, Air Post, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (C23a). Mint N.H. with selvage at right showing horizontal guide line, fresh and Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
6c Dark Blue & Carmine, Air Post, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (C23a). Mint N.H. strip of four with bottom left selvage, imperforate between bottom three stamps and the wide bottom selvage, misperforated between the top two stamps, fresh colors, Fine, a striking example of this error, conservatively catalogued as an error pair
6c Ultramarine & Carmine (C23c). Mint N.H. top plate nos. 21911 and 21951, double "TOP" and registration markers block of ten, with side selvage and comprising the top two rows of the sheet, brilliant colors in these distinct shades, each stamp with light pencil Bloch signatureVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 1938 6-CENT ULTRAMARINE AND CARMINE AIR POST ISSUE.
Apart from a complete pane of 50 (which contained one plate block), we have offered only three other plate blocks of Scott C23c since keeping computerized records. Each of those was a block of four. This block of ten, comprising the full top two rows of the sheet is a striking and great rarity.
From our 1981 Rarities sale where purchased by the family of the consignor. Scott value as plate block of four and six singles, without premium for the additional "+" marker positions.
6c Ultramarine & Carmine (C23c). Mint N.H. wide top plate nos. 21911 and F21950, double "TOP" and registration marker block of four, bright fresh colors in these distinct shades, well-centeredVERY FINE AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1938 6-CENT ULTRAMARINE AND CARMINE AIR POST ISSUE.
Each stamp lightly signed Bloch in pencil. With 2001 P.S.E. certificate.
6c Transport, Imperforate Between (C25b). Mint N.H. pair in a horizontal strip of five with selvage at sides (a complete row from a pane of 50), bright color, mostly separated perfs between the second and third stamps (not affecting the error pair), usual lightened blue crayon post office rejection mark, Very Fine and rare, only 20 pairs were issued, ex Liberman, with 1990 P.F. certificate, Scott value for pair with blue rejection mark
15c Plane over New York, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Between (C35a). Mint N.H. pair, bright color, usual Fine centering, rare, Datz states only 20 pairs are known and "all known pairs are poorly centered"
16c Red & Blue, Air Post Special Delivery, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (CE2a). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, pencil positions 34 and 35 noted on reverse, radiant colorsVERY FINE. A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 16-CENT RED & BLUE AIR POST SPECIAL DELIVERY HORIZONTAL PAIR, IMPERFORATE VERTICALLY.
A single sheet of this error was discovered at a Buffalo N.Y. post office. It was ultimately broken up by H. E. Harris & Co. after showing the complete sheet at the 1947 New York City CIPEX Show.
With 1981 P.F. certificate.
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon, Tete-Beche Pair (CL1a). Both stamps Schoendorf Type II, 6mm spacing between stamps, original gum, lightly hinged, large margins all around, strong color and impression, bottom stamp (as oriented in the scan) with light diagonal creaseVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM TETE-BECHE PAIR OF THE BUFFALO BALLOON STAMP.
The Buffalo Balloon stamp, designed by John F. B. Lillard and engraved by John H. Snively, was printed by Wheeler Brothers Printers in Nashville, Tenn. The stamps were intended for use on a balloon flight from Nashville to Gallatin Tennessee, which took place on June 18, 1877. Of the 300 that were printed, only 23 were used.
Approximately one dozen tete-beche pairs have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation. The Schoendorf pamphlet lists nine, most of which are a combination of Types II and III.
With 2009 P.F. certificate
1911, 25c Black, Rodgers "Vin Fiz", Unofficial Air Post (CL2). Uncancelled on piece of official flight post card with other side showing Calbraith Rogers portrait and portion of his plane, clear margins to just in as are almost all of the known examples, small corner crease ending in a tiny tear at top rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE AND EXTREMELY RARE. ONLY TWELVE EXAMPLES OF THE 25-CENT RODGERS "VIN FIZ" STAMP ARE RECORDED. A GREAT AIR POST RARITY.
The Vin Fiz stamp was issued by Pilot Calbraith Rodgers' wife for his attempted transcontinental flight in October 1911. Rodgers was competing for a $50,000 prize offered by publisher William Randolph Hearst to the first person to complete the trip within 30 days. Vin Fiz refers to the popular soft drink maker who was a sponsor of Rodgers' flight.
Our census of the Vin Fiz can be viewed at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/CL2 .
Census no. CL2-PCE-01. Ex "Aurea" (Golden). With 1991 P.F. and 2013 Diena certificates