Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — 1922 Issue thru Modern Errors
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H., deep rich colors on bright paper, beautiful centering, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only three grade higher (one at 98J, two at 100)
7c Black, Perf 10 (588). Mint N.H., detailed impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only three grade higher
2c Carmine, Joint Line Pair, Ty. I, II (599-599A). Right stamp Type I, left stamp Type II, intense shade and impression, registry oval cancels, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful combination joint line pair, ex Hall, with 1996 P.F. certificate
1c Yellow Green, Coil (604). Mint N.H. pair, precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only one Mint N.H. pair grades higher (at 100)
4c Brown, Coil (687). Mint N.H. joint line pair, flawless centering, crisp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded with only four others equal
50c Lilac (701). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98)
2c Red & Black, Red Cross (702). Collection of more than 400 plate blocks, a mix between blocks of four and a great many larger as well, very strong range of plate numbers present, fresh and choice condition, Very Fine, Scott value as all plate blocks of four exceeds $1,300
Farley Sheets (752-771). Without gum as issued, rolled in tubes, some perf separations on the perforated sheets and typical small edge flaws on some, overall Very Fine
$5.00 Hamilton (1053). Mint N.H., with selvage at top, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, crisp impression on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), only three grade higher
2½c Bunker Hill, Small Holes Variety (1056 var). Mint N.H. joint line strip of seven, neat Minneapolis precancel showing gap on the joint line, bright color, choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED JOINT LINE strip of seven OF THE 2½ CENT BUNKER HILL WITH SMALL HOLES.
Scott Catalogue notes this is only known with Bureau precancel. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott value as line pair, two pairs, and a single
2½c Bunker Hill, Small Holes Variety (1056 var). Mint N.H. joint line pair, neat Washington D.C. precancel showing gap on the joint line, bright color, choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE 2½ CENT BUNKER HILL WITH SMALL HOLES.
Scott Catalogue notes this is only known with Bureau precancel. With 2017 P.F. certificate
4c Lincoln, Coil, Wet Printing (1058b). Mint N.H. joint line strip of six, rich color, Very Fine and scarce large multiple, with 1998 P.F. certificate, Scott value as joint line pair and two pairs
4½c Hermitage, Coil, Small Holes (1059 var). Mint N.H. guide line strip of six, Very Fine, with 1995 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value as guide line pair and two pairs
6c Hemisfair, White Omitted (1340a). Mint N.H., deep rich colors, Extremely Fine, Datz states 100 examples are known, with 2021 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Candle Holder, Brown (Engraved) Color Inverted (1610c). Mint N.H., deep rich colors
VERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS POPULAR MODERN ERROR--THE Candleholder INVERT.
This error has been popularly called the "C.I.A. Invert" since a pane of 100 stamps 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 sheet and kept the stamps that remained for themselves. When it was discovered who had purchased the stamps, a scandal ensued over who actually owned the stamps. Of that pane of 100, only 93 reached collectors and did not include a plate block. Recently, a block of 20 from a second pane has emerged (see lot 2526 for the unique plate block from that pane).
$1.00 Candle Holder, Exhibit Collection (1610 var). Intact single-frame 16-page exhibit which was awarded the Prix d'Honneur at APS Southeastern Stamp Expo in 2012, only the No. 1610c invert stamp has been removed to offer separately (in lot 2628), what is included beautifully tells the story of the stamp and shows a strong range of material, including a full pane, color missing errors Nos. 1610a (four) and 1610b, lots of color varieties, gum varieties, color and perforation shifts, some quite dramatic, offsets, other freaks including wide and narrow stamps, precancel varieties and some reference material, nice condition, Very Fine and fascinating exhibit, the buyer need only add the invert to complete the story
13c Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet, "USA 13c" Doubled on 1686b (1686j). Unused without gum, denomination clearly doubled on second stamp, denomination shifted partly out of perforations on third and fourth stamps, significant wrinkles and water damage, still Fine appearance, believed to be unique, listed but unpriced in Scott
18c Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet, "USA 18c" Omitted, Imperforate (1687k). Mint N.H., fresh and Very Fine error sheet, listed in Datz as "Very Rare" with no quantities given
24c Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet, "USA 24c" Omitted and Imperforate (1688f). Mint N.H., quite beautiful without the denominations and perforations distracting from the painting image, Very Fine and scarce
24c Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet, Imperforate, Tagging Omitted (1688j). Mint N.H., trivial gum wrinkles, Very Fine and rare
24c Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet, Imperforate, "USA 24c" Omitted from 1688a, 1688b, and 1688c, Tagging Omitted (1688l). Mint N.H., Very Fine and rare, with 2000 P.F. certificate which states the denomination is only omitted from the first three stamps, we can spot no trace of the "USA 24c" on the last two stamps with the naked eye so what's present must be the barest trace of ink
24c Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet, Tagging Omitted (1688o). Mint N.H., fresh and Very Fine, a scarce error
31c Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet, "U.S.A. 31c" Omitted, Imperforate (1689f). Mint N.H., Very Fine and scarce
31c Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet, Black Omitted in Design (1689j). Mint N.H., fresh and Very Fine, a striking and rare error
13c CAPEX Issue, Souvenir Sheet, Yellow, Green, Red, Brown, Blue and Black Litho Omitted (1757i). Mint N.H. sheet with all lithographed colors omitted, only engraved Black & Dark Green remain, selvage at top and left, fresh and pristine
VERY FINE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT CAPEX SOUVENIR SHEET WITH ALL LITHOGRAPHED COLORS OMITTED.
The Datz book states only six sheets of this color error are recorded.
15c John Paul Jones, Perf 12 (1789B). Mint N.H. with pencil "Metro" (Metro Stamp) on back, narrow selvage at top, deep rich colors
VERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE PERF 12 JOHN PAUL JONES ISSUE.
This issue was printed by the American Bank Note Company and perforated in three different formats: Perf 11 x 12 (Scott 1789), Perf 11 All Around (Scott 1789A) and Perf 12 All Around (Scott 1789B). It is believed that the USPS was unaware that there were different perforations. The Perf 12 All Around is by far the rarest.
12c Freedom of Conscience, Untagged, "PRESORTED/FIRST CLASS" (1816a var). Mint N.H. joint line pair, fresh and Very Fine, very rare, with 2013 P.S.A.G. certificate, listed and priced in Scott as a footnote
22c Flag Over Capitol, Coil, Black Field of Stars (2115d). Mint N.H. plate no. 8 strip of seven, Very Fine, this error of color is listed but unpriced in Scott, our research failed to locate another example offered at auction, so it is obviously extremely rare, with 1997 P.F. certificate, listed but unpriced in Scott
22c Flag Over Capitol, Coil, "Erie Blue" (2115 var). Mint N.H. plate no. 4 strip of five with the Capitol in the distinctive "Erie blue" shade, Very Fine and rare as a plate no. strip, according to a 2022 article by John Hotchner in Linn's this variety was the result of "contamination of the black ink fountain by blue ink from the fountain above it" per correspondence with the BEP, the shade is called “Erie blue” because it was discovered in and around Erie Pa., with 2023 P.F. certificate
(22c) Ameripex Presidents Souvenir Sheet, Blue (engr.) Omitted, Black Inscription Doubled, Red Tripled (2216j var). Mint N.H., black slightly doubled and red signatures clearly tripled due to tagging offset, Very Fine and rare, probably no more than two or three exist
22c Ameripex Souvenir Sheet, Tagging Omitted (2216p). Mint N.H., tagging omitted from all positions, Very Fine and rare, this is the first example we have offered since keeping computerized records, listed but unpriced in Scott
22c Ameripex Souvenir Sheet, Black Inscriptions Omitted (2217j). Mint N.H., Very Fine, Datz notes this as "very rare"
22c Ameripex Souvenir Sheet, Black Inscriptions Omitted (2218k). Mint N.H., Very Fine, only a tiny number of this error exist
22c Ameripex Souvenir Sheet, Tagging Omitted on the Right Column (2219k). Mint N.H., tagging omitted from positions c, f and i, Very Fine and fresh, this is one of the rarest errors of all the 1986 Ameripex Souvenir Sheets
22c Flag and Fireworks, Yellow Omitted (2276d). Mint N.H. block of four with right selvage, with red color significantly shifted, rich colors, Very Fine and scarce, with 2022 P.F. certificate, listed but unpriced in Scott, unlisted in Datz
25c Honeybee, Black (Lithograph) Omitted (2281c). Mint N.H. plate no. 2 strip of five, Very Fine and choice, Datz reports slightly more than 100 examples but most large strips have been broken up for singles and pairs, with 1990 P.F. certificate as a strip of six, Scott value as five singles
10c Tractor Trailer, Coil, All Color Omitted (2457b). Mint N.H. strip of four with second stamp the true error, barest traces of ink on the first and third stamps and faint impression of the tractor trailer on the fourth, Very Fine, most examples of this error originate from a transitional partial roll that was certified in 2012, this strip dramatically shows a progressive fade out of color from right to left, with 1993 P.F. certificate, listed but unpriced in Scott
29c Pine Cones, Horizontal Pair, Die Cutting Omitted Between (2491b). Complete booklet pane of 18 stamps with vertical die cutting omitted between the second and third columns resulting in six imperforate-between pairs, Very Fine, Datz reports 14-20 pairs, Scott value as pairs
29c Flag Over Mt. Rushmore, "Toledo Brown" (2523c). Mint N.H. plate no. strip of five with plate no. 1, fresh and Very Fine, a choice and rare example of the "Toledo Brown" color variety, with 2013 P.F. certificate
29c Flag Over Mt. Rushmore, "Toledo Brown" (2523c). Mint N.H. plate no. strip of five with plate no. 1, fresh and Very Fine, a choice and rare example of the "Toledo Brown" color variety, with 2021 P.F. certificate
29c Flag Over Mt. Rushmore, "Lenz" Paper (2523d). Mint N.H. plate no. 2 strip of five on prephosphored coated paper with surface tagging showing a solid appearance ("Lenz paper"), Very Fine and rare variety, with 2013 P.F. certificate
29c Flag Over White House, Coil, Indigo (2609c). Mint N.H. plate no. 7 strip of five, very clearly showing this distinctive shade, Very Fine and rare, unlisted as a strip, with 1994 A.P.S. certificate
$1.05 Columbian Souvenir Sheet, $1.00 with Tagging Omitted (2624d). Mint N.H., post office fresh and Very Fine, this error was originally announced in a Nov. 18, 2002 Linn's article, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate
32c Christmas, Booklet Pane of 20, Die Cutting Omitted (3116d). Mint N.H. complete unfolded booklet with label, Very Fine and rare, Datz states only 6-7 are reported
32c Swans, Booklet Pane of 20, Die Cutting Omitted (3123c). Mint N.H. complete unfolded booklet with label, Very Fine and scarce, Datz states 15-20 are reported
32c Merian Botanical Prints, Vertical Pair, Die Cutting Omitted Between (3127c). Mint N.H. complete booklet of 20 stamps and label, top two rows without horizontal die cuts between, yielding seven error pairs, top right stamp with circular die cutting intended for label, Very Fine and scarce, Datz states 28 pairs reported, ex Floyd, with 2001 P.F. certificate, Scott value as seven pairs without premium for the complete booklet format
H Stamp, Uncle Sam's Hat, "Postcard Rate" (3260 var). Mint N.H., bright colors, slightly short perf at lower right, Fine, the Scott Catalogue notes that these non-denominated stamps have been found in the marketplace, but there is no evidence they were officially issued, the paucity of examples we have offered since their discovery speaks to their rarity
$11.75 Express Mail, Landing on the Moon, Double Hologram (3413b). Mint N.H. sheet of one in sealed USPS packaging, second hologram applied to right of original, Very Fine and extremely rare error particularly in unopened condition
23c Wilma Rudolph, Booklet of Ten, Die Cutting Omitted (3436c). Complete booklet of ten, with four stamps above the peel strip and six below, plate no. P44 on peel strip and cover with serial no. 672900, completely missing die cutting, Very Fine and undoubtedly rare, listed in Scott and Datz but unpriced
23c Washington, Booklet of 10, Imperforate Between on Both Panes (3618d). Complete booklet consisting of panes of four (3619c) and six (3619d), miscut so that all five pairs are imperforate between, Very Fine and rare, the Datz book states "possibly unique" but the booklet illustrated differs from this one
37c Flag, Booklet Pane of 20, 11 Stamps on Reverse Printed on Liner, 8 Stamps on Front Die Cutting Omitted (3636f). Dramatic error booklet which features no die cuts on the eight stamps on the front, the reverse has 11 stamps printed directly onto the booklet liner with only a small corner of the 12th stamp printed on normal stamp paper, Very Fine and unique, with 2006 P.F. certificate (as 3636c var)
37c Martin Johnson Heade, Pair, Die Cutting Omitted (3872b). Pair contained within booklet pane of 20, resulting from shifted die cuts which left two stamps wholly imperforate, Very Fine, Datz reports this error is unique, listed but unpriced in Scott
(39c) Snowflake, Red and Green Omitted (4107 var). Bottom left stamp in booklet pane of 20, both the red "USA" and green "39" omitted, about 50% of the blue also omitted (with a small portion of the adjoining stamp exhibiting the same), Very Fine, Scott and Datz list a block of four with both red and green omitted but neither mention a single stamp with the error, most likely unique
Holiday Evergreens (Forever) Booklet, Die Cutting Omitted on Side with 12 Stamps (4481d). Mint N.H. booklet pane of 20 with die cutting omitted on the reverse leaving three imperforate blocks, Very Fine, Datz states "several" known
A Flag For All Seasons (Forever) Booklet, Horizontal Die Cutting Omitted on Side with 8 Stamps and 3 Pairs on Side with 12 Stamps (4785i). Mint N.H. booklet pane of 20 with horizontal die cutting omitted on eight pairs (and partially omitted on a ninth), one stamp small tear, otherwise Very Fine, the Scott catalogue listing for 4785i states that all die cutting is omitted but we believe that to be in error (or else this is a new major listing), with 2016 A.P.S. certificate (as 4785d var)
$2.00 Red & Blue, Inverted Jenny, Limited Edition Souvenir Kit (4806 var). Commemorative box containing an array of proof material and sheets, including sheets of six with vignette only, frame only, complete stamps but without background design, albino stamps with background design, die wipe sheet, also normal sheet and first day precancelled sheet, plus 48-page booklet, the envelope that holds the sheets has a small scuff but none of the sheets or the authentication certificate are affected, Very Fine, very few of these kits were sold before the USPS ended the sales program
U.S. Flag (Forever) Booklet, Horizontal Die Cutting Omitted on Side with 12 Stamps (5054c). Mint N.H. booklet pane of 20 with horizontal die cutting omitted on reverse, Very Fine and rare, listed but unpriced in Scott
The Art of Magic (Forever) Souvenir Sheet, Die Cutting Omitted (5306b). Souvenir sheet of three without die cuts, Very Fine, Linn's Stamp News reported that approximately 50 of the error sheets were sold from the USPS window at the August 2018 APS Stampshow (unintentionally), it is unknown how many might exist in total but consultations with dealers indicate that may have been the total supply, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate