Sale 1078 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 16-17 September, 2014
Category — Air Post
6c-24c 1918-23 Air Post (C1-C6). Mint N.H., fresh, rich colors, No. C5 appears reperfed at right although not mentioned on accompanying P.F. certificate, all but No. C4 with P.F. certificate (four 1974 and one 1980)
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,375.00), only one has graded higher
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Block of six, bottom stamps Mint N.H., rich colors, choice centering, Extremely Fine, scarce with every stamp so well-centered, Scott Retail as singles
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H. block of four, brilliant colors, choice centering, top right stamp trivial natural inclusions, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as singles
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Bottom plate no. 14842 block of six, two tiny gum disturbance specks, otherwise Mint N.H., Very Fine, with 1977 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Wide bottom plate no. 14841 margin block of six, top three lightly hinged, bottom three Mint N.H., Very Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., rich colors, Very Fine and choice set
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). $1.30 small h.r., rich colors, Fine-Very Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Rich colors, Fine-Very Fine set, also incl. three Spain stamps (Nos. 397-399, cat. $14.65)
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Incl. two 65c, $1.30 small h.r., Very Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Disturbed original gum, first two no evidence of hinging, last lightly hinged, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). 65c barest trace of hinging, other two Mint N.H., $2.60 couple natural gum creases, Very Fine set
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). 65c Mint N.H., other two small h.r.'s, 65c natural gum bends, $1.30 trivial stained perf tip, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, each with 1978 P.F. certificate
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). 65c minor h.r., other two Mint N.H., fresh and Fine-Very Fine
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. block of four, radiant color and crisp impression, well-balanced margins, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a beautiful block, Scott Retail as singles
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., incredibly intense shade and impression, perfectly centered on bright paper with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO ARE GRADED HIGHER.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,250.00)
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon (CL1). Original gum, lightly hinged, large margins all around, rich color on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE BUFFALO BALLOON AIR POST ISSUE. THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE FINEST SINGLE IN EXISTENCE.
The Buffalo Balloon stamp, designed by John F. B. Lillard and engraved by John H. Snively, was printed by Wheeler Brothers Printers in Nashville, Tennessee. Only 300 were printed in tête-bêche arrangement from a single die. 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. Based on previous examples we have handled, at least some of the Buffalo Balloon stamps were exposed to moisture around the time they were printed. The example offered here should be considered a condition rarity.
Ex Silver. With 1983 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)