Sale 1289 — 2023 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2023
Category — Air Post, Postage Due
5c Black, Buffalo Balloon, Trial Color Proof on Wove (CL1TC). Full to large margins, intense shade, couple small edge thins and very light creaseVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED TRIAL COLOR PROOFS OF THE BUFFALO BALLOON AIR POST ISSUE. ONE OF THE GREAT PROOF RARITIES IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
The Buffalo Balloon stamp, designed by John 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, Lillard wrote that only 23 were used. Two examples of the Black Trial Color proof are recorded. The other was sold in our 1974 Rarities of the World sale and is also ex Rudy.
With clear 1996 R.P.S. certificate. Listed in Scott in a footnote to No. CL1. The Schoendorf booklet prices the proof at 3-times the normal unused stamp (the unused stamp catalogues $7,500.00 in Scott)
10c Lindbergh, Large Die Proof (C10P1). Die sunk on 202 x 152mm card, with typed "Approved June 7, 1927" and signed by Postmaster Harry S. New, also initialed by Robert Regard (3rd Assist. P.G.) and Michael Eidness (Supt. Div. Stamps), blue control number 66867 on reverse, card with shallow thin spot on backVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SIGNED LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE LINDBERGH AIR MAIL STAMP.
The AAMC states only six large die proofs are known and this is only the second we have offered since at least 1992.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Rich colors, tied by easily readable "Washington D.C. Apr. 19 5PM 1930" First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cacheted flown cover to Midland, Texas., backstamps of Friedrichschafen, New York and MidlandVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE FLOWN FIRST DAY COVER WITH A COMPLETE SET OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
First Day covers with the complete set of the 1930 Graf Zeppelin issue on one cover are much rarer than sets of individually-stamped covers. They are especially coveted when on a small-size cover that was actually flown such as the one offered here. Only a small number of such first day covers exist. Scott value $10,000.00.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Rich colors, tied by "Washington D.C. Apr. 19 5 PM 1930" First Day of Issue duplexes on legal-size flown round-trip cover, proper flight cachets, Friedrichshafen and Lakehurst backstamps, opened at left, cover with two small stains at left and slightly rounded corners from mounting, otherwise quite freshVERY FINE. A RARE FLOWN FIRST DAY COVER WITH A COMPLETE SET OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
First Day covers with the complete set of the 1930 Graf Zeppelin issue on one cover are much rarer than sets of individually stamped covers. Scott value $10,000.00.
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Unused (no gum), choice centering for this difficult issue, bright color and detailed impression on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING, WHICH IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The reported sale figures for the rare 1c, 2c and 3c Postage Due Special Printings probably include orders filled with regular stamps, as all three are far rarer than the reported sales numbers would suggest. This is rarely offered in sound, centered condition.
With 2008 P.F. certificate.
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Original gum, bit of blue offset on gum, deep rich color, completely soundFINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1879 POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. The vast majority of these with original gum are faulty.
With 2000 A.P.S. and 2007 P.F. certificates. Small guarantee backstamp.
10c Bright Claret (J26). Mint N.H. bottom right corner imprint and plate no. 331 strip of ten, radiant color, some natural gum creases, left straight edge stamp tiny edge flawVERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER MULTIPLE FROM ALL TEN POSITIONS IN THE TOP ROW OF THE PANE. THIS IS THE FIRST MULTIPLE WITH FULL IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE OFFERED IN OVER 30 YEARS.
Scott Catalogue lists a plate block of ten at $2,450.00, but we have not offered one since before 1994. Power Search contains a plate block of 20 offered in our 1981 Rarities sale (ex Wampler), so we believe Scott pricing to be very outdated.
Scott value as singles with no premium for the multiple, imprint and plate number.
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Original gum, rich color on bright paperFINE AND ATTRACTIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE ISSUE -- ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL POSTAGE DUE STAMPS.
Ex Curtis. With 1996 P.F. and 2016 certificates (F 70)