1877, 5c Deep Blue, Buffalo
Balloon Air Post Semi-Official, Tete-Beche Pair (CL1a). Large margins
all around, o.g., lightly hingedEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF ONLY THREE SOUND TETE-BECHE PAIRS CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS. A GREAT AIR POST RARITY.
Only two of the 11 tete-beche pairs certified by the Philatelic Foundation are sound. Seven of the nine faulty tete-beche pairs in the Foundation records are thinned or defective in the margin
The Buffalo Balloon stamp, designed by John F. B. Lillard and engraved by John H. Snively, was printed by Wheeler Brothers Printers in Nashville, Tenn., The stamps were intended for use on a balloon flight from Nashville to Gallatin Tenn., which took place on June 18, 1877. Of the 300 that were printed, only 23 were used.
With 1994 P.F. certificate (Image)