Sale 1293 — The Vaquero Collection of Errors, Freaks and Oddities Plus Other Eclectic Selections
Sale Date — Thursday, 28 September, 2023
Category — Scott 2476a thru 3252f
10c American Kestrel, Quadruple and Quintuple Impressions (2476a, 2476b). Mint N.H. horizontal strip of four with top selvage, third stamp with quintuple impression, other three with quadruple impression of black "USA 01", also all four stamps have misregistered impression of other colors, each stamp with a pre-printing paper crease
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED STRIP OF FOUR, CONTAINING THREE STAMPS WITH QUADRUPLE IMPRESSION AND ONE WITH QUINTUPLE IMPRESSION OF THE "USA" AND DENOMINATION, PLUS MISREGISTRATION OF THE OTHER COLORS. A GREAT RARITY.
Accompanied by copy of front-page article from Linn's Stamp News (Nov. 21, 2011) announcing discovery of this error. The article also notes the stamp was printed on a sheet-fed, offset rotary press. The multiple impressions appear to be a setoff; this refers to ink that is deposited by mistake on the cylinder normally under the stamps during printing. This excess ink then gets transferred back to the printing cylinder, which transfers the multiple impressions to paper when it is eventually fed through the press. With 2010 P.F. certificate. Scott value $4,050 as singles
45c Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Black (Engr.) Omitted (2481a). Mint N.H. block of four, lacking "USA" and "45", fresh and Very Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate, Scott value $1,200 as singles
$2.00 Bobcat, Black (Engr.) Omitted (2482a). Mint N.H. bottom right selvage plate no. 6886 block of four, lacking denomination, "USA" and black plate engraved plate number, Extremely Fine, normal single accompanies for comparison, with 2021 P.F. certificate, Scott value $800 as singles
25c Olympians, Strip of Five, Blue Omitted (2500b). Mint N.H., with wide selvage at left and selvage at right, Very Fine and scarce, Datz notes only two panes are reported, which would be fourteen strips known, with copy of 2009 A.P.S. certificate for pane
25c Micronesia & Marshall Islands, Pair, Black (Engr.) Omitted (2507b). Mint N.H. pair, lacking denomination, "USA" and text at top, Very Fine and scarce, Datz states only 20 pairs recorded, normal accompanies for comparison, with 2021 P.F. certificate
$2.90 Eagle, Misperforation (2540 var). Pane of 20 with selvage all around, the left vertical row almost in normal position, four other vertical rows shifted dramatically to the left resulting in a narrow "stamp" with just part of the denomination in the left column and a right column missing most of the denomination, fresh and Very Fine, it is rare that one sees such poor quality control on such a high-denomination issue
$10.75 Space Shuttle Endeavor, Misperforation (2544A var). Two Mint N.H. singles, dramatically misperfed, one cuts thru design with a white stripe at center, other is top left corner plate no. selvage with design shifted into selvage and downwards, Very Fine, with copy of 2011 A.P.S. certificate for pane with note stating "this appears to be a new major error in the perforator settting (ie. using the wrong comb or harro) -- we do not know if any stamps are correctly perforated at this setting; we believe the plate #P33332 is previously unreported, so this may be printer's waste; the edge cuts appear wavy scissors cuts, not guilotined"; regardless of their true nature these are very unusual items and the presence of the plate number is significant
$10.75 Space Shuttle Endeavor, Misperforation (2544A var). Mint N.H. right selvage block of six with copyright notice, perfs sifted significantly down and to the left so that center row has no text except for trace of denomination along left perfs, top left stamp tiny mark on gum, Very Fine and dramatic variety
(29c) Madonna and Child, Red & Black (Engr.) Omitted (2578b). Mint N.H., natural straight edge at right, striking appearance with ghost-like Mary and Baby Jesus, Very Fine and rare, the Datz book states only 10 examples are recorded (one faulty), accompanied by normal stamp for comparison, with 1994 P.S.E. and 2021 P.F. certificates
29c Stock Exchange, Black Printing Shifted (2630 var). Two top right corner selvage blocks of four, one with plate number, each shows black printing of Stock Exchange building and scene of the floor of the Exchange shifted strongly to the left, Very Fine, an excellent companion to the famous Stock Exchange invert, two normal singles accompany for comparison
29c Alaska Highway, Black (Engr.) Omitted (2635a). Mint N.H. block of four with bottom inscription selvage, centered to right as are approximately half of the known copies but far better than many, Very Fine, a footnote in Scott Catalogue notes that "Almost half the recorded No. 2635a errors are poorly centered. These sell for approximately $400.00.", with 2021 P.F. certificate, Scott value $2,300 as singles with no premium for the inscription selvage
29c National Postal Museum, Block of Four, Maroon & Black (Engr.) Omitted (2782b). Mint N.H. pane of 20, vivid colors, top row with fingerprints on gum
VERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL INTACT PANE OF 20 OF THE 29-CENT NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM ISSUE WITH MAROON AND BLACK ENGRAVING OMITTED, meaning the DENOMINATION IS MISSING ON ALL STAMPS.
Datz states that only 2-4 sheets were ever discovered. It is unlikely that any others are still intact. Accompanied by cardboard self service pack in which this was discovered. With 2021 P.F. certificate. Scott value $12,500 as four blocks and one strip of four. Plate blocks are unpriced in Scott or Datz.
29c Christmas Stocking, Multiple Impressions of Some Colors (2872d var). Mint N.H. bottom left corner selvage plate no. P33333 block of four, showing significant doubling of both black litho and engraved and blue, a very unusual error, it is easy to see which colors are doubled as doubling also occurs in the plate number, with 2021 P.F. certificate, unlisted in Scott
32c Recreational Sports, Yellow, Blue & Magenta Omitted (2965d). Mint N.H. pane of 20, containing four error strips of five, black plate no. "B 1" at all four corners (with all colors present this would appear as "B 1 1 1 1")
VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE INTACT PANE OF 20 OF THE 32-CENTS RECREATIONAL SPORTS ISSUE, WHICH IS MISSING THREE OF THE FOUR COLORS.
Datz notes that between 2-4 panes were discovered. At least one has been broken. With 2021 P.F. certificate. Scott value $6,400 as four strips of five with no premium for the multiple or better positions
50c Jacqueline Cochran, Black (Engr.) Omitted (3066a). Pane of 50, columns 3 and 4 and eight stamps of column 2 (a total of 28) stamps show the variety, others with traces of black, bright colors, Very Fine example of this variety, accompanied by original post office cardboard and cellophane in which this was purchased, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value $1,260 as error singles
32c Christmas, Block, Red "Greetings 32 USA" and "1998" Omitted on Two (3252f). Top left corner selvage plate no. block of four, fresh and Very Fine, a handsome error, Datz notes only 2-3 panes of 20 are reported (10-15 error blocks), with 2021 P.F. certificate