Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — Air Post
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STAMP IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION -- THE MARGINS ARE WIDE AND BALANCED, THE COLOR IS AS FRESH AS THE DAY IT WAS PRINTED, THE PAPER IS CRISP AND THE PERFORATIONS ARE ALL LONG AND UNIFORM. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE -- GEM 100 JUMBO -- BY P.S.E., AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 2003 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,550.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this highest grade. One other has been graded 100, and the next-highest grade is a 98.
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Blue "Top" Only (C3 var). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and blue "Top" only block of twelve, rich colors, small h.r. on pos. 9, natural pre-printing paperfold affects pos. 6 and 12, top left stamp small natural gum skipFINE-VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 24-CENT "JENNY" WITH BLUE "TOP" ONLY. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF UNITED STATES AIR POST PHILATELY.
The first printing of the 24c 1918 Air Post issue was trimmed so that the plate numbers and arrow were removed, resulting in a straight edge at top and right. After the invert error was discovered on one of the first printed sheets, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing decided to retain the top selvage. It added the word “TOP” to the blue “Jenny” vignette plate, so that when the new sheets were printed the word “TOP” would appear in the newly-retained upper selvage. This would show the pressmen the correct direction of the blue “Jenny” vignette plate, to insure that the invert error would not reoccur. Shortly after the blue "TOP" was added, sheets were printed with the additional red "TOP".
According to Don Price's exhibit of this issue and research by Joe Kirker, only 22 blue “TOP” only blocks are recorded.
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Grounded Plane Variety (C3 var). Single hinge mark, brilliant color, plane shifted significantly downwards with wheels well into "Cents", perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1918 24-CENT FIRST AIR POST ISSUE GROUNDED PLANE VARIETY. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The true Grounded Plane stamps, in which the wheels of the plane break thru the top of "Cents", come from portions of three sheets. The discovery sheet was owned and broken up by J. Klemann of Nassau Stamp Company. A second sheet was discovered in 1946 and sold in the Thomas A. Matthews sale (H.R. Harmer, Nov. 4, 1964), where it was purchased by Georges A. Medawar, publisher of Sanabria Airmail Catalogue. In Linn's Stamp News of April 21, 1986, specialist Joseph R. Kirker Jr. published his research revealing a third source of this variety.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Superb 98; this variety is unpriced in SMQ).
8c-24c 1923 Air Post, Large Die Proofs on India (C4P1-C6P1). Each die sunk on approximately 201 x 151mm card with full die sinkage, 8c is on wove paper, each with typed approval date and each signed by Postmaster General Harry S. New, blue control nos. on back, 24c slightly oxidizedVERY FINE. A RARE SET OF LARGE DIE PROOFS OF THE 1923 AIR POST ISSUE, SIGNED BY POSTMASTER GENERAL HARRY S. NEW.
According to the Shreves Livingston catalogue, the 8c was pulled later, as the postmaster general presented several proof sets from the period using those contained in the archives but ran short, so the 8c was pulled later.
Ex Livingston.
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1923 24-CENT AIR POST, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 1992 and 2004 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,600.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only three others share this grade.
$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 ONE GRADES HIGHER.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $5,700.00). With the exception of the one stamp graded 100J from the Scarsdale Collection (Siegel Sale 910), this is the highest Mint N.H. grade awarded by P.S.E. to the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin (23 total).
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Outstanding perfectly balanced wide margins, intense color and with the barest trace of hingingEXTREMELY FINE GEM.THIS MARVELOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100; SMQ $1,200.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade). According to the P.S.E. Population Report this is one of only two hinged $2.60 Graf Zeppelins to have been awarded this prestigious grade; in fact, of the 727 C15's submitted to PSE for grading only three stamps stand out at the pinnacle of quality, the stamp offered here, one other hinged 100 and a Mint N.H. 100J
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. top plate no. blocks of ten, part arrows at left, rich colors, choice centering throughout, usual light natural gum skips and bendsEXTREMELY FINE. AN IMPRESIVE AND ULTRA HIGH-QUALITY SET OF LARGE-SIZE PLATE BLOCKS OF THE POPULAR GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Scott Retail as plate blocks of six and singles
6c Wright Brothers, Large Die Proof (C45P1). Die sunk on 203 x 152mm card with three holes punched at top, deep rich color, minor toning at bottom, blue control number and red "Engraver's Stock Proof" handstamp on backEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY REPORTED EXAMPLE OF A LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 6-CENT WRIGHT BROTHERS STAMP.
Ex Brooks and Livingston