Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — Plate Blocks: The Dr. Joseph Leadon Collection (Scott 528-Back-of-Book incl. Candle Holder and Stock
2c Carmine, Ty. Va (528). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 11371 and initials block of six, brilliant color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, this superb plate block beautifully displays the "signed" initials that are unique to the offset issue
2c Carmine, Ty. VI (528A). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 11691 block of six, Very Fine-Extremely Fine and fresh, with 2014 P.F. certificate
3c Violet (537). Mint N.H. top plate no. 9414 block of six, bold color, Extremely Fine
5c Deep Blue, Pilgrim Tercentenary (550). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 12426 block of six, rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine
30c Olive Brown (569). Mint N.H. wide left plate no. 17449 block of six, exceptionally well-centered, intense color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate
50c Lilac (570). Mint N.H. top plate no. 19145 block of six, incredibly well-centered, fresh, bright color on white paper, Extremely Fine and exceptional, with 2006 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Deep Blue (572). Mint N.H. top plate no. 14306 and letter "F" block of six, excellent centering, bold color, tiny gum skip, Extremely Fine
1c Green, Rotary (578). Mint N.H. top plate no. 14661 and star block of four, bright color, choice centering for this difficult rotary press issue, Very Fine, Power Search contains only four other examples in Mint N.H. condition
10c Orange, Perf 10 (591). Mint N.H. bottom left plate no. 18539 block of four, flawless centering, Extremely Fine Gem, the cornerstone for a set of the 1923-26 Perf 10 Issue plate blocks and without a doubt one of the finest known
2c Carmine, Rotary, Perf 11 (595). Mint N.H. plate no. 14914 and star block of four, deep rich color, choice centering, Very Fine and beautiful plate block
5c Dark Blue, Huguenot-Walloon (616). Mint N.H. top plate no. F 15754 block of six, all three top stamps with "broken circle" flaw, deep rich color, choice centering throughout, Extremely Fine, an especially choice plate block, the 5c Huguenot-Walloon was printed from four different plates (16 collectible positions) and this is the only collectible position to yield the "broken circle" flaw, with 2016 P.F. certificate (which incorrectly only mentions the flaw on one stamp), Scott value without premium for the flaw
5c Dark Blue, Huguenot-Walloon (616). Mint N.H. top plate no. F 15754 block of six, all three top stamps with "broken circle" flaw, deep rich color, choice centering throughout, Very Fine, the 5c Huguenot-Walloon was printed from four different plates (16 collectible positions) and this is the only collectible position to yield the "broken circle" flaw, Scott value without premium for the flaw
5c Dark Blue & Black, Norse-American (621). Mint N.H. top arrow and plate nos. 16928/16925 block of eight, rich colors and near-perfect centering, Extremely Fine and handsome plate block
5c Dark Blue & Black, Norse-American (621). Mint N.H. top arrow and plate nos. 16928/16926 block of eight, rich colors and wonderful centering, Extremely Fine and fresh, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; plate blocks unpriced in SMQ)
5c Dark Blue & Black, Norse-American (621). Mint N.H. top arrow and plate nos. 16929/16926 block of eight, rich colors and extraordinary centering, Extremely Fine
13c Green (622). Mint N.H. right plate no. 18109 and large 5-point star block of six, bright color, embedded perf disc at top left
FINE-VERY FINE mint NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT FOURTH BUREAU PLATE BLOCK WITH LARGE 5-POINT STAR. THIS IS THE RAREST STAR PLATE FROM THE 1922-25 ISSUE, WITH ONLY APPROXIMATELY 16 RECORDED.
This is the third we have offered in the last 25 years, the other two of which were lightly hinged.
1½c Yellow Brown, Without Gum Breakers (631 var). Mint N.H. top left corner margin plate no. 18413 block of four, large margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, a rare plate block, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II (634A). Mint N.H. top left plate no. 19747 block of four, intense color and sharp impression clearly displaying the type, perfectly centered, post-office fresh and intact
EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF SCOTT 634A IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION.
This plate block is exceedingly difficult to obtain in such wonderful condition.
2c Carmine, Ty. II (634A). Mint N.H. top right plate no. 19746 block of four, intense color and sharp impression clearly displaying the type, perfectly centered, post-office fresh
EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF SCOTT 634A IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION.
This plate block is difficult to obtain in such wonderful condition.
2c Lake, Sullivan Expedition (657a). Mint N.H. top plate no. 19785 block of six, sharp impression and rich distinctive color, small straw inclusion in bottom center stamp is mentioned for strict accuracy only and is not noted on accompanying certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK OF THE LAKE SHADE OF THE 2-CENT SULLIVAN EXPEDITION COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE.
We have offered only four plate blocks of this issue in any condition since keeping computerized records, and none of those were from the desirable top position. With 2007 P.F. certificate.
7c Black, Kans. Ovpt. (665). Mint N.H. top left plate no. 18740 block of four, beautifully centered, intense color, Extremely Fine
8c Olive Green, Kans. Ovpt. (666). Mint N.H. top right plate no. 18192 block of four, vibrant color and beautiful centering, Extremely Fine, one of the finest plate blocks of this issue we have encountered, the 8c Kansas is notorious for poor centering, this plate block is the pick of the litter
7c Black, Nebr. Ovpt. (676). Mint N.H. bottom left plate no. 18736 block of four, rich color and wonderful centering, Extremely Fine, a beautiful plate block
10c Orange Yellow, Nebr. Ovpt. (679). Mint N.H. bottom left plate no. 19234 block of four, vivid color, fresh, Extremely Fine, extraordinary quality for this challenging issue
2c Jefferson, Silkote Paper (1033a). Mint N.H. top right plate no. 25061 block of eight, beautifully centered, post office fresh and intact
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN OUTSTANDING PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 2-CENT JEFFERSON PRINTED ON SILKOTE PAPER.
With 2002 A.P.S. certificate. Scott value as plate number block and four singles.
$1.00 Candle Holder, Brown (Engraved) Color Inverted (1610c). Mint N.H. corner plate no. 40971 block of four, deep rich colors
VERY FINE. THE UNIQUE PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE $1.00 Candle Holder Color Inverted ERROR. tHIS BLOCK ONLY CAME TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION EARLIER THIS YEAR AND IS BEING OFFERED AT AUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Popularly called the "C.I.A. Invert", it was believed for decades that only a single pane of nearly 100 stamps reached the public. That pane was purchased at the McLean Va. post office by employees of the C.I.A. for use on mail from the agency. They noticed the error, pooled together funds to buy a replacement and kept the pane for themselves. When it was discovered who had purchased the stamps, a scandal ensued over who actually owned the stamps. Of the pane of 100, only 93 sound examples reached collectors.
The May 22, 2023 issue of Linn's featured a report by Wayne Youngblood of a plate block of four of the $1.00 Candle Holder error being offered on eBay. This news was significant as photographs of the partial intact pane discovered by C.I.A. employees proved that no plate block survived from that initial find, and if it had survived it would not have been from a position that included a white stripe. Youngblood followed up his report in the June 12, 2023 edition of Linn's with the announcement that the plate block of four was broken out of a block of 20, consisting of two complete columns. This brought the number of known stamps to 113 — 93 from the original find, and at least 20 from a second sheet.
In the August 2023 edition of Scott Stamp Monthly, Ken Lawrence wrote a lengthy article documenting the complete history of the "C.I.A. Invert", as well as providing some tantalizing suggestions as to how a second pane (or part of a pane) eluded collectors for decades. We highly recommend this article to anyone considering adding this plate block to their collection (or anyone who enjoys a good philatelic story). See lot 2628 for a single example of the error.
Scott value for four singles is $68,000, but that has little relevance to this plate number block.
29c New York Stock Exchange Bicentennial, Center Inverted (2630c). Mint N.H. bottom right plate no. A12 block of four, rich colors
VERY FINE. THE UNIQUE plate block OF THE 29-CENT NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE BICENTENNIAL WITH all four stamps the inverted center error. A WONDERFUL RARITY.
Two panes of 40 of the New York Stock Exchange Bicentennial were discovered, each containing twelve stamps with black omitted and 28 stamps with black inverted — the famous Stock Exchange Invert. The block offered here comes from the first pane, which was purchased at a post office in a small West Texas town in 1992. The family stored the pane away and forgot about it until December 2001, when it was noticed that the central vignettes were inverted. The pane was then consigned to Greg Manning Auctions. The second pane had a plate number at bottom left, with only two of the four stamps showing inverted centers (the other two stamps have the centers completely omitted). That plate block is offered in the following lot.
Scott value $68,000 as four invert error singles without a premium for the plate block.
29c New York Stock Exchange Bicentennial, Center Inverted, Omitted Pair (2630d). Mint N.H. bottom left plate no. A12 block of four, rich colors
VERY FINE. THE UNIQUE plate block OF THE 29-CENT NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE BICENTENNIAL WITH two se-tenant pairs of the BLACK MISSING and inverted errors. A WONDERFUL RARITY.
Two panes of 40 of the New York Stock Exchange Bicentennial were discovered, each containing twelve stamps with black omitted and 28 stamps with black inverted — the famous Stock Exchange Invert. The first pane had a plate number at bottom right, with four inverts (offered in the previous lot). The block offered here comes from the second pane. As noted in Linn's Sep. 5, 2005 edition, it was discovered by an employee of Miami University of Ohio. Naomi Felblinger purchased the pane at the university's contract postal station. She stored it in a sock drawer at home and forgot about it until preparing for a move. She brought it to the offices of Linn's in Ohio, who published her story. She then sold it through H. R Harmer on Nov. 16, 2005. It was broken shortly afterwards.
Scott value $45,000 as two se-tenant pairs without a premium for the plate block.
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H. top arrow and plate no. 8900 block of six, precise centering and deep rich color, Extremely Fine
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H. top arrow and plate no. 8900 block of six, remarkable centering, pretty color, Extremely Fine
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, High Flying Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H. top arrow, plate nos. 8492/8493 and double "TOP" block of 12, rich colors, each vignette with significant upward shift, eight stamps with the rear of the top wing cutting into the Carmine frame at top, bright and fresh
VERY FINE AND RARE MINT NEVER HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE C3 HIGH FLYING PLANE.
While no official definition of this variety has been established, like the other shifts it should show a portion of the "Jenny" vignette cutting into the frame.
Scott value $2,000 as ordinary plate block.
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Blue "TOP" Only, Fast Plane Variety (C3 var). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and blue "TOP" only block of 12, additionally each stamp with significant forward shift of the vignette, the top wing of each plane extending well into the Carmine frame, hinged in selvage only, minor natural gum skips and natural gum creases, bottom left three stamps very small lightened stains
FINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 24-CENT 1918 AIR POST ISSUE WITH BLUE "TOP" ONLY AND THE FAST PLANE VARIETIES. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF air post PHILATELY.
The first sheets of the 24c Air Post issue prepared for sale on May 14, 1918, were trimmed at top and right so that they would fit in post office drawers. In the process the plate numbers at top, the right selvage and the guide arrow were removed, resulting in a straight edge at top and right. Immediately after the invert error was discovered on one of the first printed sheets, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing officials decided to add the word "TOP" to the plates and modify the perforating/trimming process, so that when new sheets were printed, the word "TOP" would appear in the selvage. This would help prevent more errors from slipping past BEP employees in the printing and examination process.
A small number of sheets printed with the Carmine frame from the plate lacking the word "TOP" were finished with Blue vignettes printed from the plate with "TOP" added. This resulted in the so-called "Blue Top Only" plate blocks. They are extremely rare. The vast majority of plate blocks have the two "TOP" imprints in Carmine and Blue. Only 24 Blue Top Only plate blocks are recorded in Joe Kirker's ongoing census.
The Philatelic Foundation has never published an article defining the criteria for certifying the Fast Plane variety, as they did for the Grounded Plane. The generally accepted definition is a stamp where the wings of the Jenny break clearly into the Carmine frame at left. Like the other shifts, there are degrees of displacement. This plate block is not only a rare Blue Top Only, it is the Fast Plane variety.
Scott value as Blue "TOP" Only $12,500.
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 14825 block of six, rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H. wide left plate no. 14840 block of six, intense shade and impression on bright paper, Extremely Fine
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 5243-09 block of six from the scarce 1909 printing, brilliant color and choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER HINGED PLATE BLOCK FROM THE 1909 PRINTING OF THE 1902 SERIES SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP.
Scott E6 is the first of the "Messenger on Bicycle" Special Delivery designs. It was released as part of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's "Series of 1902" regular postage issues (Scott 300-313). Scott E6 is printed on double-line "USPS" watermarked paper with 12-gauge perforations. In 1908 the "Merry Widow" Special Delivery stamp was issued. However, after public criticism the Messenger on Bicycle design was re-issued in 1909 from new plates, and the same basic design was issued continuously until the Motorcycle Delivery design replaced it in 1922.
3c Deep Claret (J33). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 70 block of six, deep rich color and proof-like impression
VERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
We have offered only two Mint N.H. plate blocks of this stamp since keeping computerized records.
$5.00 Carmine (J78). Mint N.H. full top plate no. 20160 block of six, vivid color, remarkable centering, fresh and Extremely Fine