9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 1227 — Outstanding United States Stamps and Gold Coins
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 19-23 October, 2020
Category — Air Post
6c-24c 1918-23 Air Post (C1-C5). Plate number blocks of six, C6 top double plate no. and double "Top" block of twelve, Nos. C1 and C5 Mint N.H., bright colors, Fine-Very Fine
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Top arrow and plate no. 9155 block of six, five stamps Mint N.H., bottom center stamp h.r., vibrant color, fresh and Very Fine
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., brilliant color and proof-like impression, precise centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,375.00), only two grade higher
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H., wide and exceptionally well-balanced margins, fresh and bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,500.00)
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and two "TOP" block of twelve, multiple strikes of "New York A" oval cancel, rich colors, light creases thru positions 4/10 and position 8, still Fine-Very Fine and most attractive, C3 used plate blocks are scarce, unpriced as used in Scott
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT C5 HAS ACHIEVED THE PERFECT P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100 -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
The first two series of United States Air Post issues, Scott C1-C6, are among the most recognizable U.S. stamps. They were printed in relatively small quantities compared to later issues -- Scott C5 saw just over 5.3 million stamps issued, versus over 42 million for Scott C7. C5 is also one of the most difficult of the series to obtain in such a high grade, based on Population Report numbers.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $3,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. Despite the other example realizing $8,500 hammer in our Sale 1166, the SMQ value then and now is the same
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, vibrant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,200.00)
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 14840 block of six, brilliant color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful Mint N.H. plate block
15c Map, Air Post (C8). Mint N.H., wide margins and mathematically perfect centering, strong color and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,200.00), only two grade higher at 100J
15c Map, Air Post (C8). Mint N.H., rich color, perfectly centered, most recent certificate notes tiny picked out inclusion at upper left corner, still Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,200.00), only two grade higher and seven others share this perfect grade and 2020 P.F. certificate
10c Lindbergh, Air Post (C10). Mint N.H., bright color on post-office fresh paper, essentially perfect centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00), only six grade higher
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., rich colors, Very Fine and choice set
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., $1.30 with bottom plate no. selvage, Very Fine set
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Top plate no. singles, h.r., $1.30 slightly oxidized, otherwise Very Fine set
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). 65c unused (regummed), $1.30 large part original gum, $2.60 lightly hinged, bright colors, Fine-Very Fine set, Scott value as all original gum
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. plate no. blocks of six, 65c and $1.30 top position, $2.60 bottom position, deep rich colors and proof-like impressionsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED SET OF PLATE BLOCKS OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
These are particularly desirable from the top and bottom positions
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. top plate no. blocks of six, rich colors and well-centered, particularly the 65c and $2.60 which have choice centering, 65c with several gum skips, $1.30 with more minor gum skips and $2.60 with pristine gum without skips, all three appear to have the selvage very slightly reduced and top two values with tiny selvage edge tear not easily noticeableVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE SET OF MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCKS OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE FROM THE PREMIUM TOP POSITIONS.
These are particularly desirable from the top positions. Most sets are either sides or a mix of tops and bottoms
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. blocks of four, $2.60 with top selvage with part arrow at right (perf separations), several in each with unusually choice centering, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, we are surprised these have remained intact, Scott value as singles
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Blocks of four, $1.30 with right plate no. 20087 selvage, bottom stamps Mint N.H., rich colors, bottom 65c and top $2.60 stamps especially well-centered, Fine-Extremely Fine, accompanied by Post Office Department receipt for $18.20 from May 15, 1930 for original purchase (though unverifiable, this is an excellent collateral item), Scott value as singles
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Blocks of four, h.r. at center, 65c adherences on three stamps, $1.30 and $2.60 adherences on top stamps, bright colors, Fine-Very Fine set of blocks
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). With right plate no. 20078 selvage, small hinge remnant, wide margins and essentially perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (98 ogPH)
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Block of four with left selvage, part arrow at bottom, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top stamps h.r., rich color, top stamps small thin spots and light horizontal crease, the bottom stamps sound, N.H. and Very Fine, Scott value as singles
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Block of four, rich color, each stamp well-centered, two strikes of "New York N.Y. Varick St. Sta. Apr. 30, 1930" duplex cancel, faint creases visible when drying, Extremely Fine appearance
65c, $1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C14). Mint N.H., rich colors, $1.30 few small natural gum skips, Very Fine
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., with selvage at right, bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $650.00)
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., beautiful centering and margins, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1989 P.F. certificate
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Lightly hinged, essentially perfect centering with extra wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $625.00)
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Top plate no. 20088 block of six, lightly hinged, bright color, natural paper wrinkles affect left stamps, Fine-Very Fine
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Barely hinged, mathematically perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS GORGEOUS STAMP IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- A TRULY BEAUTIFUL STAMP.
P.S.E. has graded more than 1,200 original gum Scott C15's. Out of all of these stamps only three grade Gem 100 (one other hinged and one Mint N.H.), and only one grades Gem 100 Jumbo (Mint N.H.). For a collector who values centering above all else this stamp should not be overlooked.
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, Gem 100; SMQ $1,750.00).
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., faint natural gum bend, fresh color, Very Fine
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Choice centering and margins, rich color, Extremely Fine
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Lightly hinged, detailed impression, choice centering, Extremely Fine
50c Trans-Pacific (C22). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $750.00), only five others have achieved this perfect grade with none higher
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon, Tete-Beche Pair (CL1a). Schoendorf Types I and II, unused (no gum), large margins, 7mm spacing between stamps, horizontal crease between stamps, stamps with small scuffs, small nick in margin well away from designVERY FINE. A RARE TETE-BECHE PAIR OF THE BUFFALO BALLOON STAMP WITH TYPES I AND II.
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.
Approximately one dozen tete-beche pairs have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation. The Schoendorf pamphlet lists nine, which are mostly a combination of Types II and III. Type I is the earliest state, with no discernible printing flaws.
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