Sale 968B — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Three: 1902-34 Issues, B-O-B
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 22-25 September, 2009
Category — Air Post
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
765
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon (CL1). Mint N.H., large to huge margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE BUFFALO BALLOON AIR POST ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
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. Only 300 were printed in tete-beche arrangement from a single die. The stamps were intended for use on a balloon flight from Nashville to Gallatin, Tennessee, which took place on June 18, 1877. Of the 300 that were printed, only 23 were used.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
10,000
13,000