Sale 1235 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 19-20 May, 2021
Category — Air Post
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H., gorgeous centering and color with unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00), only three grade higher (two at 100, one at 100J)
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H. center line block of four, beautifully centered, vivid color, Extremely Fine, top right with light pencil notation on gum, Scott value as four Mint N.H. singles
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H. top arrow and plate no. 9155 block of six, bright color, Fine-Very Fine
6c-16c 1918-27 Air Post (C1-C5, C10). No. C3 lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., rich colors, Extremely Fine group
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16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., precisely centered with wide margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,375.00), only two grade higher (at 100)
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (Superb 98)
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H., brilliant colors, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00), only nine grade higher (five at 98J, four at 100)
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H. block of four with bottom selvage and siderographer's initials "S De B.", rich colors, Very Fine and choice, very scarce, the bottom sheet selvage with Samuel De Binder's initials was only preserved in the first printing/cutting that produced the Inverted Jenny error, subsequently the sheets were trimmed at the bottom to preserve the "Top" imprint in the top selvage, cutting off the initials, Scott value as singles
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and double "TOP" block of twelve, most stamps Mint N.H., fresh, bright colors, Fine-Very Fine
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Grounded Plane Variety (C3 var). Original gum, fresh colors, superb centering with wide margins, the plane's wheels shifted well into "Cents" with the blue background lines extending to the bottom of the wordEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1918 24-CENT FIRST AIR POST ISSUE GROUNDED PLANE VARIETY.
The Grounded Plane stamps are found with a range of vignette shifts, with some wheels just into "Cents" and some shifted to the middle (or rarely through the bottom) of the word. This example, with a pronounced shift, choice centering and sound condition is particularly desirable.
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.
Ex Price. With 2017 P.F. certificate
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Grounded Plane Variety (C3 var). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant colors, vignette shifted strongly to bottom with wheels well into "Cents", wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1918 24-CENT FIRST AIR POST ISSUE GROUNDED PLANE VARIETY.
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 2010 P.F. certificate
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, High Flying Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H., significant upward shift with the rear of the wing cutting well into the Carmine frame and "G" of "Postage" at top, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST PRONOUNCED "HIGH FLYING PLANE" UPWARD SHIFTS OF THE 24-CENT "JENNY" THAT WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
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. This example is shifted higher than nearly any other we have encountered.
Ex Price. With 2000 P.F. certificate
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, High Flying Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H. with top blue plate no. 8493 selvage, fresh, Jumbo margins, significant upward vignette shiftEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE "HIGH FLYING PLANE" UPWARD SHIFTS OF THE 24-CENT "JENNY" WITH PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE.
The plane's wing on this stamp is well into the surrounding frame.
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, High Flying Plane Variety (C3 car). Top margin block of four with arrow, original gum, lightly hinged, all four stamps with vignettes shifted significantly upwards into the frame, bright colors, wide margins, Very Fine
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, High Flying Plane and Fast Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H., both upward and forward vignette shifts, with the top wing well into the Carmine frame at left and the rear of the top wing just into the frame at top, as well as the background lines, Fine, a desirable double variety, ex Price, with 2017 P.F. certificate
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, High Flying and Slow Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H. plate no. 8492 and red "TOP" block of four, each vignette with significant upward and rearward shift, the rear of the top wing cutting well into the Carmine frame and lettering at top, the tail of the plane and trailing background shading cutting into the frame at right, rich colors, natural gum skips and bendsVERY FINE. A RARE AND CHOICE DOUBLE VARIETY PLATE BLOCK OF THE FIRST AIR POST ISSUE, SHOWING HIGH FLYING AND SLOW PLANES.
This is the first High Flying Plane block with plate number selvage to appear in Power Search. Ex Price
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Fast Plane Variety (C3 var). Position 95, original gum, lightly hinged, with bottom half arrow selvage, forward and downward vignette shift showing the Fast Plane variety, also nearly a Low Plane with the left wheel just touching the Carmine frame at bottom, intense colors, Very Fine, a nice example of this variety, ex Price, with 2017 P.F. certificate
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Fast Plane Variety (C3 var). Two Mint N.H. singles, each the Fast Plane variety with vignette shifted far into Carmine frame at left, Very Fine and choice
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Fast Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H. top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and two "TOP" block of twelve, vignettes shifted strongly to the left, the so-called Fast Plane variety where the wing breaks through the outer frameline of the design, well-balanced margins, top left and top right stamps small gum skips not mentioned on certificatesVERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE FIRST AIR POST ISSUE WITH EVERY STAMP SHOWING THE FAST PLANE VARIETY.
The most distinctive Fast Planes show the vignette touching or breaking thru the left frameline. This block shows that on every stamp as well as some of the Blue shading in the left margin beyond the Carmine frameline.
Ex Gross. With 1989 and 2017 P.F. certificates
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Fast Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H. top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and two "TOP" block of twelve, vignettes shifted strongly to the left, the so-called Fast Plane variety with the wings touching or near the outer frameline of the design, rich colors, two with small natural gum skipsVERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE FIRST AIR POST ISSUE SHOWING THE FAST PLANE VARIETY.
The most distinctive Fast Planes show the vignette touching or breaking thru the left frameline. All the stamps in this plate block demonstrate the variety, though very slightly less so than the plate block offered in the previous lot.
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H. top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and two "TOP" block of twelve, brilliant colors, unusually choice centering throughout, approaching the Fast Plane variety with vignettes shifted strongly to the left, though not quite touching the Carmine frameline, small hinge sliver in selvage, Extremely Fine, scarce with such choice centering and with the noticeable vignette shift
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Fast Plane Variety (C3 var). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, top wing on each stamp extends essentially to the Carmine frameline at left, shading goes well into the white space between the framelines, Fine and attractive example of the Fast Plane variety, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate which specifies the Fast Plane
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Block of four with full top right corner selvage, three Mint N.H., top right stamp barely hinged, top selvage h.r., plane shifted left well into frame with vignette shading lines touching the outer frameline, essentially if not the Fast Plane variety, Extremely Fine, the top left corner single is especially beautiful
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Slow Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H., significant vignette shift with the top wing and tail well into the Carmine frame at right, including into the "E" of "Postage", well centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine example of the Slow Plane variety, ex Price, with 2017 P.F. certificate
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Slow Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H., top wing and shading of tail shifted clearly into carmine frame at right, rich colors, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $500.00)
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H., radiant color, crisp impression, nicely balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $450.00)
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H. blocks of twelve and sixteen, rich colors, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, Scott value as singles
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Curtis, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,350.00), only three grade higher (one at 98J, one at 100)
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H. top plate no. 14828 block of six, deep shade on fresh paper, bottom stamps well-centered, some offset on gum, Fine-Very Fine
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H. block of 15, rich color on bright paper, Fine-Very Fine, Scott value as singles
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., choice centering and wide margins, radiant color, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp with tremendous eye appeal, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,200.00)
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.A.G. certificate (95 ogNH)
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 14843 block of six, bright color, bottom right stamp with small gum crease, Fine-Very Fine
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Block of 20, pos. 2 lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., rich color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, Scott value as singles
5c Beacon (C11). Mint N.H., essentially perfect centering with Jumbo margins, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $700.00), only four grade higher and only five others share this grade, a miniscule population for this popular stamp, also very underpriced in SMQ versus recent auction realizations
5c Winged Globe, Air Post, Flat Plate and Rotary (C12, C16). Mint N.H. singles of each, perfectly balanced margins, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine Gems, ex "Clipper City", each with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; total SMQ $1,100.00)
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., rich colors, $2.60 with right plate no. selvage, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED SET OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Scarce with such choice centering.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., certificate notes gum disturbance line at bottom center of $2.60, otherwise Very Fine-Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificates (graded 85, 90 and 70 respectively; combined SMQ $1,675.00)
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. bottom plate number blocks of six, 65c with gum skips, $1.30 and $2.60 with trivial gum bends as usual, all are exceedingly fresh and well-centeredVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A MARVELOUSLY CHOICE SET OF MATCHING BOTTOM POSITION PLATE BLOCKS OF THE POPULAR GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
A particularly handsome and well matched set.
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, beautiful centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Hanover", with 2007 P.F. certificate (Superb 98)
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,750.00), only ten grade higher
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., mathematically precise centering with wide margins, deep rich color on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
With 1997 P.F., 2010 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $7,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded in any category. Only nine others share this perfect grade.
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Intense shade and impression, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,500.00)
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., choice margins and beautifully centered, without the usual gum bend and skips, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO ARE GRADED HIGHER.
Ex "Hanover". With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,000.00). Only two grade higher (one at 100, one at 100J).
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. without a trace of a skip or a bend, incredibly intense shade, proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,000.00). Only two grade higher (one each at 100 and 100J)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., with right plate no. 20090 selvage, rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,000.00)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin, Panelli Engraved Forgery. With gum and perforated 11, decent attempt to fool the philatelic public with good match of color and perforations, but the engraving is not as complete as it should be, Fine and fascinating item for a specialized Air Post collection
5c Winged Globe, Air Post (C16). Mint N.H. with bottom selvage, wide margins and mathematically perfect centering, strong color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,450.00), only two others share this grade and two grade higher
5c Winged Globe, Air Post (C16). Mint N.H., excellent centering, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $750.00), only nine grade higher
5c Winged Globe, Air Post (C16). Mint N.H., excellent centering, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $750.00)
8c Winged Globe, Air Post (C17). Mint N.H., brilliant color, outstanding centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $900.00), only one grades higher (at 98J, we have never offered it) and only six others share this grade, SMQ value seems too low based on past realizations and low Population Report numbers
25c Trans-Pacific, Air Post (C20). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 21475 selvage, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, a truly exceptional example of this issue which is without peer, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $500.00 as 100), this is the highest grade possible on the grading chart, while 23 examples of C20 have been graded Gem 100 by P.S.E., this is the first and only example to achieve the Gem 100 Jumbo grade -- with the plate number selvage as a bonus
20c, 50c Trans-Pacific (C21-C22). Mint N.H., brilliantly fresh with choice centering, Extremely Fine Gems, with 2009 or 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; total SMQ $535.00)
30c Winged Globe, Air Post (C24). Mint N.H., essentially perfect centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $300.00), only three grade higher
6c-50c 1941 Transport, Air Post (C25-C31). Mint N.H. set, essentially perfect centering throughout, fresh and Extremely Fine Gems, each with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; total SMQ $1,165.00)
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10c Moon Landing, "Shifted Earth" Variety (C76 var), Mint N.H. corner margin block of four, dramatic misregistration of colors with the Blue earth color and astronauts shifted upward, leaving a blank white hole where the Earth should appear, also red color shifted, Very Fine, a fascinating variety