Sale 1037 — United States and Foreign Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 10-14 December, 2012
Category — Air Post (Scott C1-C6)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
2172
6c-24c 1918-23 Air Post (C1-C6). Blocks of four, C1 left arrow block, several Mint N.H. incl. bottom pair of C3, couple stamps h.r., bright colors, a several with choice centering and margins incl. an Extremely Fine Jumbo Mint N.H. C2, overall Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as singles
1,940
700
2173
6c-24c 1918 Air Post (C1-C3). Blocks of four, Mint N.H. except for top pair of 16c, 24c with plate no. at top, 6c natural gum bends, fresh and Very Fine-Extremely Fine
1,530
450
Back to Top2174
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H., vibrant color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $1,600.00), only two have graded higher
130
600
Back to Top2175
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Center line block of four, top left lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., magnificent centering and vivid color, Extremely Fine
390
225
Back to Top2176
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Top arrow and plate no. 9155 block of six, five stamps Mint N.H., bottom center stamp h.r., vibrant color, fresh and Very Fine
725
275
Back to Top2177
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Top arrow and plate no. block of six, top left stamp small h.r., others Mint N.H., center stamps pre-printing paperfold, Very Fine
725
225
Back to Top2178
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Top arrow and plate no. 9155 block of six, top stamps lightly hinged, bottom stamps Mint N.H., vivid color, Very Fine
725
275
Back to Top2179
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H. top arrow and plate no. 8900 block of six, typical light natural gum bends, one stamp tiny insignificant natural gum skip, Very Fine and choice
1,375
650
Back to Top2180
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Top arrow and plate no. 8900 block of six, lightly hinged, top right stamp small thin spot, Very Fine appearance
925
300
Back to Top2181
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Top arrow and plate no. 8900 block of six, one stamp with faint trace of hinging, few tiny natural gum skips, tiny flaw around one perf hole at top of pos. 2, otherwise Very Fine
925
350
Back to Top2182
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H. with part arrow selvage at top, bright colors, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
140
200
Back to Top2183
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Block of four with blue plate no. 8493 and blue "Top", lightly hinged, vignette shifted so slightly high and fast, Fine-Very Fine
260
180
Back to Top2184
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Blue "Top" Only (C3 var). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and blue "Top" only block of twelve, rich colors, lightly hinged, pos. 10 small natural perf disc inclusion, usual faint natural gum bendsVERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 24-CENT 1918 AIR POST ISSUE WITH BLUE "TOP" ONLY. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF UNITED STATES AIR POST PHILATELY.
The first printing of the 24c 1918 Air Post issue was trimmed so that the plate numbers and arrow were removed, resulting in a straight edge at top and right. After the invert error was discovered on one of the first printed sheets, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing decided to retain the top selvage. It added the word “TOP” to the blue “Jenny” vignette plate, so that when the new sheets were printed the word “TOP” would appear in the newly-retained upper selvage. This would show the pressmen the correct direction of the blue “Jenny” vignette plate, to insure that the invert error would not reoccur. Shortly after the blue "TOP" was added, sheets were printed with the additional red "TOP".
According to Don Price's exhibit of this issue and research by Joe Kirker, only 22 blue “TOP” only blocks are recorded.
12,500
3,500
Back to Top2185
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and double "TOP" block of twelve, rich colors, choice centering throughout, couple light natural pre-print paper folds, two perf separations at right between pos. 6 and 12 appear to be reinforced with collodion, Very Fine
1,200
550
Back to Top2186
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and double "TOP" block of twelve, small h.r. on one, usual natural gum bends, Fine-Very Fine
1,200
500
Back to Top2187
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and double "TOP" block of twelve, few h.r., slightly disturbed original gum at left, pos. 3 natural paper crease, pos. 6 thinned, Very Fine appearance
1,200
350
Back to Top2188
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and double "TOP" block of twelve, h.r., rich colors, natural gum bends, natural pre-printing paperfolds in selvage, some slight toning from gum, thin spots, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
1,200
265
Back to Top2189
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and double "TOP" block of twelve, three stamps and three pieces of selvage with thin spots, light stain on back of pos. 12, otherwise Very Fine
1,200
350
Back to Top2190
8c-24c 1923 Air Post (C4-C6). Blocks of four, left 8c pair lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., Fine-Very Fine
1,280
275
Back to Top2191
8c-24c 1923 Air Post (C4-C6). Blocks of four, 16c and 24c top pairs lightly hinged, other stamps Mint N.H., one of the hinged 16c stamps with gum bend, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
1,030
425
Back to Top2192
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H. top plate no. 14825 block of six, bright color, choice centering, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
330
275
Back to Top2193
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 14824 block of six, bright color and sharp impression, Very Fine
330
180
Back to Top2194
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Bottom plate no. 14826 block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., two at top right h.r., bright color, fresh and Very Fine
240
120
Back to Top2195
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $450.00)
140
225
Back to Top2196
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Bottom plate no. 14830 block of six, top stamps lightly hinged, otherwise Mint N.H., proof-like impression, Very Fine
1,450
475
Back to Top2197
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H. wide left plate no. 14842 block of six, fresh, rich color, pos. 5 natural pre-print crease at bottom, otherwise Fine plate block
2,850
350
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