Sale 1048 — 2013 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 25 June, 2013
Category — Essays and Proofs: Air Post and Officials
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin, Large Die Proofs on India (C13P1-C15P1). Die sunk on 202 x 152mm cards with full die sinkage, blue control numbers on reverse (333925, 333911 and 333918), gorgeous colors, cards free from the toning and bending often seen with large die proofs, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF ONLY THREE SETS OF LARGE DIE PROOFS OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE KNOWN. A SPECTACULAR AIR POST RARITY.
For many collectors, the acquisition of a 1930 Graf Zeppelin set represents a milestone in philatelic achievement. The Graf Zeppelin stamps are readily available in choice condition, but Large Die Proofs of this issue are a completely different story. Only a few collectors in the world can display these iconic proof rarities in their collections.
Ex President Roosevelt, Matthews and Hennig.
$2.00-$20.00 State Dept., Plate Proofs on India (O68P3-O71P3). Complete sheets of ten of the four dollar-denominated values, India paper on 170 x 123mm cards, with alignment "+" marks extending onto cards and with hint of an impression on card edges indicating plate sinkage area, bright colorsEXTREMELY FINE. THIS PHENOMENAL SET OF COMPLETE SHEETS OF TEN OF THE DOLLAR-VALUE STATE DEPARTMENT PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA IS REPORTED TO BE UNIQUE.
The dollar-value State Department issues were printed in sheets of ten with black imprint and both color plate numbers at top and with green imprint at bottom. This is the only set on India paper known to us.
The sheets are listed but unpriced in Scott. The sheets on card are priced at $20,000.00. As an indication of relative scarcity, a set of singles on India catalogues $400.00 versus $140.00 for a set of singles on card.
$2.00, $5.00, $20.00 State Dept., Inverted Centers, Plate Proofs on Card (O68aP4-O69aP4, O71aP4). Bottom double imprint and black plate number strips of five, half of each sheet of ten and representing the complete set of all three dollar-values that exist as inverts (the $10.00 does not), sheet margins at sides and large top margins, bright colors and perfect impressions, expertly reinforced creases thru center proof in each strip, $2.00 inconsequential surface scuff and small tear in right proof, $20.00 left proof small thins, nine proofs are completely soundTHE UNIQUE COMPLETE SET OF IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIPS OF FIVE OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT DOLLAR-VALUE PLATE PROOFS WITH INVERTED CENTERS. ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST ICONIC PROOF RARITIES IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
According to research by Robert L. Markovits, only two sheets of ten of each of the $5.00 and $20.00 State Department Invert proofs were produced, along with a single sheet of the $2.00. The $10.00 was not produced as an invert proof.
Ex Earl of Crawford, Ackerman, Ehrenberg and Markovits. Each accompanied by 2004 P.F. certificate