Sale 968B — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Three: 1902-34 Issues, B-O-B
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 22-25 September, 2009
Category — Air Post
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H., vibrant color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., brilliant color, detailed impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,000.00), only one has graded higher to date
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H. with red plate no. 8492 at top, brilliant colors, Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, post-office fresh paper, long and full perforations all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent stamp, with 2005 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $365.00 as 98), only one has graded higher to date and only three others share this grade
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 P.F. certificate
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,050.00), only six have graded higher to date
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1996 P.F. certificate
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., bright shade, crisp impression, balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1997 P.F. certificate
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. with plate no. 20092 in bottom selvage, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, stamp with slight natural gum wrinkle at bottom, selvage with 7mm tear, still Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00)
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon (CL1). Mint N.H., large to huge margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE BUFFALO BALLOON AIR POST ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
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 tete-beche 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.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon, Tete-Beche Pair (CL1a). Mint N.H., large margins, rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND AND MINT NEVER-HINGED TETE-BECHE PAIR OF THE BUFFALO BALLOON POST ISSUE.
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 Tenn., which took place on June 18, 1877. Of the 300 that were printed, only 23 were used.
Approximately a dozen tete-beche pairs have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation. Of these, most have some slight thinning in the margin, leading us to believe that at some point these were stacked for sale and exposed to mild moisture.
Ex Golin. With 1999 P.F. certificate stating "Never Hinged". The Scott Catalogue value is for a hinged pair (the Mint N.H. listing is based on this pair and is unpriced).