Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1934 National Parks Issue (Scott 740-765)
1c-10c National Parks, "SPECIMEN" Purple Handstamped Ovpt. (740S-749S). All ten values with large "SPECIMEN" handstamp in purple, unused (no gum), fresh and bright colorsVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SET OF THE 1934 NATIONAL PARKS ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT, FROM THE POSTAL ARCHIVES OF BECHUANALAND.
Prior to offering this set in one of our 2020 sales, it last appeared in a Siegel sale in 1978. 5c with 1977 B.P.A. certificate
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1c Yosemite, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (740a). Mint N.H., well-centered and wide margins, bright color and post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES KNOWN OF THE ONE-CENT YOSEMITE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY ERROR.
Datz states sixteen pairs or strips of three are recorded. With 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Grand Canyon, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (741a). Mint N.H., far better centering than typically seen, bright color on fresh white paper, Extremely Fine, certainly one of the finest pairs known, only 2-3 panes recorded, with 1998 P.F. certificate
2c Grand Canyon, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (741b). Mint N.H., wide margins, radiant colorEXTREMELY FINE. THE 2-CENT GRAND CANYON IMPERFORATE VERTICALLY IS VERY RARE, ESPECIALLY IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
Datz states that 2-3 panes are known. Bottom left and bottom right corner selvage blocks of ten from plate 21260 are known, which would indicate the existence of at least two panes. The bottom right plate block is Mint N.H. and was last sold by us in 2000. The bottom left plate block was last offered by us in 1989, and its gum need to be examined. We have offered only two other Mint N.H. pairs since keeping computerized records, in 2000 and 2013. The latter was described as having a natural gum wrinkle.
With 1998 P.F. certificate. Signed lightly in pencil on right stamp. Underpriced in Scott given its scarcity.
3c Mt. Ranier, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (742a). Mint N.H. strip of three, bright color, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED STRIP OF THREE OF THE 3-CENT MOUNT RANIER IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
Only one pane of 50 was discovered. We have offered only three other pairs and the unique plate block of six since keeping computerized records. All of these others were described as having natural gum creases and bends -- most are determined as coming from the bottom of the pane. The example offered here, with pristine gum, is the finest we have encountered.
Ex Floyd. With 1995 and 2010 P.F. certificates. Scott value as a pair with no premium for the extra stamp
4c Mesa Verde, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (743a). With wide top selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and outstanding centering, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPEB EXAMPLE OF RARE 4-CENT MESA VERDE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY ERROR. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES KNOWN.
Only 15 pairs have been recorded, and 6-9 have the Post Office paper adherence. With 2014 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
5c Yellowstone, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (744a). Mint N.H. with left sheet margin, well-centered with wide margins, fresh color on pristine white paperEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES KNOWN OF THE 5-CENT YELLOWSTONE IMPERFORATE VERTICALLY ERROR.
Datz states 50 pairs are known. With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates
7c Acadia Park, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (746a). Mint N.H., crisp impression, phenomenal centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE 7-CENT ACADIA PARK, IMPERFORATE VERTICALLY.
Datz notes 50 pairs, or two panes, are known. 20 stamps are contained in the top left and top right plate blocks from plate 21336. We have offered only four other unduplicated pairs, including one with guideline between stamps, since keeping computerized records.
With 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates
Framed Farley Sheets. Twelve individually framed complete sheets, incl. Nos. 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 757, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, all appear fresh and Fine-Very Fine, perfect for the stamp den or office, ex Dr. Martin
1c-10c National Parks, Imperforate (756-765). Mint N.H. set of top plate number blocks of six, large margins, fresh and Very Fine-Extremely Fine set, these were issued without gum but the Post Office department offered to gum any sheets sent to them