Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — Air Post Graf Zeppelin Issue (Scott C13-C15)
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). 65c trivial gum skip, $1.30 reperf left, $2.60 tiny scuff speck, otherwise Very Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). First wavy-line machine cancel, last two matching slogan cancels, Fine-Very Fine
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,900.00)
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., vibrant color and crisp impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $880.00)
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., gorgeous margins and centering, Extremely Fine Gem with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $880.00)
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $610.00)
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., bright and crisp, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
65c-$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C14). Mint N.H. blocks of four, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as Mint N.H. singles
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. with plate no. 20088 selvage at right, radiant color and detailed impression, mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE. THIS PERFECT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. ONE OF THE KEYS TO A SET OF ZEPPELINS IN GEM 100 GRADE.
There are several issues which are considered icons of United States philately. Among these are the Columbians, Trans-Mississippi and Zeppelin Issues. It is impossible today to put together a complete set of Gem 100 Columbians or Trans-Missisippi issues, but it is possible to assemble such a set of the Zeppelins. For the 65c, there is currently one graded 100 and one graded 100J. For the $1.30 there are three graded 100. For the $2.60 there is only one graded 100J (no 100's). As time goes on, we are sure another $2.60 will surface, and the future owner of this stamp will be well-placed to complete the set.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,600.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others have achieved this perfect grade. One of the others realized $45,000 hammer in an auction this fall.
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., brilliant color, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,700.00)
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., nicely centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $910.00)
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., quite well-centered, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00)
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. wide right plate no. 20085 block of six, deep rich color, detailed impression, the back is far more pristine than mostEXREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 20087 block of six, fresh color, usual light natural gum skips, few natural flat plate creases, Fine-Very Fine
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Bottom plate no. 20087 block of six, disturbed original gum with some fairly light staining, shows mostly on back, otherwise Very Fine
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE GRADES HIGHER.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,650.00). With the exception of the one stamp graded 100J, the highest Mint N.H. graded awarded by P.S.E. to the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin is 98 (23 total)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. with plate no. 20095 at right, brilliant color remarkably detailed impression, unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,650.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only 22 others share this grade
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, beautifully centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE WITH THE P.S.E. GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,650.00)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., choice margins and almost perfectly centered, bold color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE WITH THE P.S.E. GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,650.00)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE WITH THE P.S.E. GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,650.00)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. block of four, deep shade, small natural inclusion in lower left stamp, Very Fine
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 20091 block of six, brilliant color, crisp impression, well-centered, usual natural faint gum bends, small tear in selvage, slightly short gum comes up to the perfsEXTREMELY FINE CENTERING. A CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN.
Full bottom plate blocks of the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin are seldom encountered in this Mint N.H. well-centered condition.
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. wide right plate no. 20091 block of six, exceptionally well-centered, fresh, crisp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN. THE BACK OF THIS PLATE BLOCK IS REMARKABLE FOR ITS PRISTINE CONDITION.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate