Sale 1048 — 2013 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 25 June, 2013
Category — Air Post thru Offices in China
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. set of matched top plate no. and "F" blocks of six, rich colors, unusually choice centering throughout, few natural gum skips and bends, $2.60 light crease in top center selvage onlyEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED SET OF MATCHED TOP POSITION PLATE NUMBER AND "F" BLOCKS OF SIX OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
This set is difficult to obtain as plate blocks with such choice centering.
6c Dark Blue & Carmine, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (C23a). Pane of 50 with selvage on all sides, rich colors, containing 20 pairs of the error, intact plate block at top, stamps Mint N.H., small h.r. in top selvage where few perf separations sensibly reinforced, each stamp with pencil position no., few other perf separations, few natural gum wrinkles, pre-printing paperfold affects plate block and two other pairs, insignificant flaw in bottom selvageFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE INTACT PANE OF 50 OF THE 6-CENT EAGLE AND SHIELD AIR POST ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
Datz states that 50 panes were discovered. Very few remain as intact panes.
6c Ultramarine & Carmine (C23c). Mint N.H. pane of 50 with selvage all around, intact plate block at top, deep rich colors, few natural gum bends, internal gum crease affects few stamps, small toned spot in selvage at rightFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE INTACT PANE OF 50 OF THE 6-CENT EAGLE AND SHIELD AIR POST ISSUE IN THE ULTRAMARINE AND CARMINE COLORS. VERY FEW PANES OF THIS DISTINCTIVE COLOR VARIETY REMAIN INTACT.
Scott Retail as plate block of four, center line block and singles.
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon, Tête-Bêche (CL1). Vertical pair with 6mm spacing, original gum, one stamp with horizontal stitch watermark, large margins, rich color, one stamp with margin scuffs along left side as almost alwaysVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE LARGE-MARGINED TÊTE-BÊCHE PAIR OF THE BUFFALO BALLOON AIR POST ISSUE.
The Buffalo Balloon stamp, designed by John 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, Lillard wrote that 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. This accounts for the fact that only two of the tête-bêche pairs certified by the Philatelic Foundation are potentially sound. The others are mostly thinned or scuffed in one corner where they were stuck together. This pair, with minor scuffs on one stamp is among the better condition examples extant.
With 2013 P.F. certificate.
1971, Apollo 15 Moon Exploration. Nos. 1396 and 1435a tied by "U.S.S. Okinawa (LPH-3) Aug 7, 1971 AM" datestamp on flown cover, label cachet showing phases of moon and "First extensive exploration of the Moon", "Launch July 26, 1971" duplex cancel also ties pair, red "Recovery Aug. 7, 1971" circular datestamp on back, signed by the three astronauts -- David Scott, Al Worden and James Irwin -- NASA serial no. 353 on backFRESH AND VERY FINE FLOWN COVER FROM THE 1971 APOLLO 15 MOON EXPLORATION.
Apollo 15 was the ninth manned mission in the United States Apollo space program and the fourth to land on the Moon. It was the first of what were termed "J missions", long stays on the Moon, with a greater focus on science than had been possible on previous missions. The mission began on July 26, 1971, and ended on August 7. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_15 )
According to the American Air Mail Catalogue, Pilot Alfred Worden was authorized to carry 144 covers on the mission. 16 were torn or destroyed and 60 were confiscated by NASA and eventually returned to Worden after litigation.
AAMC Value $13,000.00
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Unused (no gum), proof-like impression and cameo as typical with genuine examples, several thins not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine appearance, a rare example of the 2c Postage Due Special Printing, the 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high, it is probable that some orders were filled with the regular stamps, with 1959 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as original gum
5c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J11). Original gum, couple small thins and perf tear at top where also few short perfs, Very Fine appearance, a rare stamp, it has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public, with 1959 P.F. certificate not mentioning any flaws
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Original gum, h.r., radiant color and proof-like impression, nibbed perf at lower leftVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. The vast majority of surviving original-gum examples are faulty.
With 1959 P.F. certificate
50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Original gum, h.r., detailed impression, classic Special Printing cameo, light horizontal pressure ridge from hinge, still Fine example of this scarce stamp, it has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public, with 1959 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion (J30). Bottom imprint and plate no. 34 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, sensibly reinforced perf separations along most of vertical row at right, faint bends which accompanying certificate calls "minor pre-printing paper folds."VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT VERMILION UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND J30 PLATE BLOCK WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
Both the 1c and 2c Vermilion Postage Due issues, Scott J29 and J30, are extremely rare in any form of multiple. The Whitpain Collection contained a Mint N.H. plate block of J30, which is the only other 2c plate block contained in Power Search. We have not offered any of 1c J29.
With 1990 P.F. certificate
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., deep rich color, essentially perfect centering with wide margins on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 ON 50-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN OUTSTANDING CONDITION RARITY.
With 1999 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,750.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and only four others share this desirable grade. This is the only stamp graded 95 we have offered