Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — Air Post
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon (CL1). Original gum, lightly hinged, large margins all around, rich color on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE BUFFALO BALLOON AIR POST ISSUE. THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE FINEST SINGLE IN EXISTENCE.
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, The stamps were intended for use on a balloon flight from Nashville to Gallatin, which took place on June 18, 1877. Of the 300 printed, 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 and were probably stuck together. This accounts for the no gum, disturbed gum or thinned examples sometimes encountered. This lightly hinged stamp with huge margins is a true condition rarity.
Ex Silver. With 1983 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
6c-24c 1918-23 Air Post (C1-C6). Mint N.H., 6c with left part arrow selvage, rich colors, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gems, Nos. C4-C6 are especially nice
View PDF of contents of this lot
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H. top arrow and plate no. 8900 block of six, rich color, detailed impression, beautiful centering throughout, Extremely Fine plate block
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H., dramatic forward shift of the plane vignette breaking through the left frame, the "Fast Plane" variety, wide balanced margins, Extremely Fine, wonderful combination of this collectible variety on a choice stamp
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H. top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and two "TOP" block of twelve, vignettes shifted strongly to the left, approaching the "fast plane" variety, usual light natural gum bends, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
8c-24c 1923 Air Post (C4-C6). Each on First Day cover addressed to Edward C. Worden in Millburn N.J., dated Aug. 15, 17 and 21, 1923 respectively, fresh and Very Fine set
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 14843 block of six, brilliant color, gorgeous centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 24-CENT 1923 AIR POST. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
With 1992 and 2017 P.F. certificates
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Set of Mint N.H. top plate blocks of six, each with letter "F" by plate number, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, far better centering than normally seen, 65c faint natural gum crease which is very light, $2.60 light natural gum skips and bends as normally encountered on this issueEXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED SET OF TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCKS OF SIX OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Matched sets are scarce, especially from the top position and with the letter "F" next to the plate numbers. The centering on this set is also truly superb.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., attractive margins and centering, 65c natural gum bends, other two small natural gum skips, Very Fine
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H. with top plate no. F20077 selvage, wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 20085 selvage, rich color, wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Tied by "Lakehurst N.J. May 30 1930 12-M" waving flag machine cancel on cacheted cover with hand drawn Zeppelin at center, to Detroit Mich., Seville and New York backstamps, endorsed "Air Mail via Graf Zeppelin from Lakehurst U.S.A. to Seville Spain", Very Fine
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. with right plate no. 20095 selvage, rich color, precise centering and generous margins, light natural gum bends, Extremely Fine
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Mint N.H. top plate no. 21172 block of six, rich color, few small natural gum skips, Extremely Fine
50c Carmine, Trans-Pacific, Air Post (C22). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 21625 block of six, vivid color, choice centering, minor natural gum bendsVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT CLIPPER ISSUE.
Advanced collectors of U.S. plate blocks understand that this issue is far rarer as a wide top Mint N.H. plate block than even the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin. There are perhaps 10 or fewer Mint N.H. examples extant.
With 2018 P.F. certificate. The Scott Catalogue notes "wide full selvage top margin plate blocks of No. C22 are extremely scarce and sell for $3,000.00 or more" (versus $85.00 price for regular plate block)
6c Dark Blue & Carmine, Air Post, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (C23a). Mint N.H., beautiful colors, pristine and Extremely Fine