Sale 1287 — Worldwide Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 May, 2023
Category — Italian States - Sardinia thru Italy
ITALIAN STATES, Sardinia, 1851, 20c Blue (2; Sassone 2). Large part original gum, large to ample margins all around, rich color, mild natural gum creaseVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 20-CENTISIMI BLUE.
With 2004 E. Diena certificate. Scott $9,500.00. Sassone €28,000
ITALIAN STATES, Sardinia, 1853, 20c Dull Blue Embossed (5; Sassone 5). Unused (no gum), uncommonly large margins, strong paper color, a Very Fine and choice example of No. 5, which is quite challenging to find both unused and sound, with 2012 Colla certificate, Scott $4,500.00, Sassone €12,500
ITALIAN STATES, Sardinia, 1853, 40c Pale Rose (6; Sassone 6). Original gum, full to mostly large margins all around, gum crease and small inclusion, both of which are natural and typical on this issueVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1853 40-CENTISIMI EMBOSSED.
With clear 2016 Avi certificate. Scott $11,250.00. Sassone €28,000
ITALIAN STATES, Sardinia, 1854, 5c-40c, Unissued (7c, 8b, 9b; Sassone 10a, 11, 12). Crackly original gum, full to mostly large margins, strong colors, Very Fine set of the unissued colors, 5c signed Sorani, 40c signed A. Diena, all three with 2015 Avi set certificate, Scott $4,480.00, Sassone €12,550
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ITALIAN STATES, Sardinia, 1859, 10c Yellow Brown (11h; Sassone 14Aa). Mint N.H. block of 25, large margins to just in a few places, rich color, bottom left stamp with small paper split from natural gum crease, otherwise a Very Fine and impressive large block, with 2023 Avi certificate, Scott does not price never-hinged ($3,250.00 as hinged singles), Sassone €18,750 as singles
ITALIAN STATES, Sardinia, 1861, 1c Black, Newspaper Stamp, "1" Omitted (P1 var; Sassone 19h). Mint N.H. vertical pair, large margins all around, fresh and Very Fine, with 2006 Avi certificate, unlisted in Scott, Sassone €4,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1851, 2cr Blue (5; Sassone 5). Original gum, h.r., large to full margins all around, fresh color, a Very Fine example of this scarce original-gum stamp, signed Schlesinger and with 2023 Avi certificate, Scott $5,250.00, Sassone €14,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1851, 4cr Dark Green on Blue Paper (6 var; Sassone 6b). Original gum, lightly hinged, full margins to just barely touching in a couple places, strong color and impression, Fine and rare to find both with full original gum and sound, with 2009 Colla certificate, Scott does not list this shade ($8,800.00 as No. 6), Sassone €24,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1852, 60cr Red (9; Sassone 9a). Three large margins, including a portion of the adjoining stamp at right, closer but clears at top, beautiful rich color and highly detailed impression, five-bar cancelVERY FINE. A HANDSOME USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1852 60-CRAZIE SCARLET. ONE OF THE KEY RARITIES OF TUSCANY IN FAR BETTER CONDITION THAN USUALLY FOUND.
Signed A. Diena and Cividini. With 1966 Oliva and 2015 Avi certificates. Scott $27,500.00. Sassone €50,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1857, 1s Yellow (11; Sassone 11). Unused (no gum), large to full margins on three sides, close but clears at top, attractive color and crisp impressionVERY FINE AND RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 ONE-SOLDI YELLOW.
With 2012 Avi certificate. Scott $17,500.00. Sassone €25,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1857, 4cr Green (14; Sassone 14). Unused (no gum), large to extra-large margins except just barely touching at top right, rich color, Very Fine, with 2012 Avi certificate, Scott $2,350.00, Sassone €5,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1857, 6cr Deep Blue (15; Sassone 15). Unused (no gum), large to ample margins, rich color, Very Fine, with 1996 Buhler certificate, Scott $3,250.00, Sassone €7,500
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1860, 1c Brown Lilac (17; Sassone 17). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, three large margins, just touching at bottom of left margin, strong color and crisp impressions, mild gum toning just shows through in the right marginVERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1860 ONE-CENTISIMI BROWN LILAC.
With clear 2004 Bottacchi certificate. Scott does not price blocks of this issue. Sassone €50,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 5c Olive Yellow Green (18a; Sassone 18b). Original gum, lightly hinged, three large margins, close but clearing at left, fresh colorVERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 5-CENTISIMI OLIVE YELLOW GREEN.
An especially challenging stamp to find with both four margins and full original gum.
With 2005 Avi certificate. Scott $15,200.00. Sassone €45,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1860, 10c Deep Brown (19; Sassone 19). Original gum, uncommonly large margins except just barely touching at bottom of left side, strong color, Very Fine, signed Gazzi and with 2009 Avi certificate, Scott $4,800, Sassone €11,000
ITALIAN STATES, Tuscany, 1860, 20c Gray Blue (20b; Sassone 20b). Original gum, large margins to just clearing at top, deeply rich color and a well-incised impressionVERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 20-CENTISIMI GRAY BLUE.
With 1994 E. Diena certificate. Scott $14,000.00. Sassone €38,000
ITALIAN STATES, Naples, 1858, 50g Rose Lake (7; Sassone 14). Unused (no gum), large to full margins all around, Very Fine, with 2016 Avi certificate, Scott $2,700.00, Sassone €8,750
ITALIAN STATES, Naples, 1860, -1/2t Blue (9; Sassone 16). Position 29, original gum, tiny h.r., four large margins, rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1860 -1/2-TORNESI PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT SAVOY CROSS OF NAPLES. AN ICONIC ITALIAN STATE RARITY IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. MISSING FROM EVEN THE MOST ADVANCED COLLECTIONS OF THIS ITALIAN STATE.
Signed Emilio Diena. With 1998 Sorani certificate. Scott $50,000.00. Sassone €135,000
ITALIAN STATES, Neapolitan Provinces, 1861, -1/2t-50g Emmanuel II (19-27; Sassone 17-24). Mint N.H., each with full to large margins, bright and fresh, Very Fine, a desirable never-hinged set, with 2010 Avi set certificate, Scott does not price never-hinged ($1,432.00 as hinged), Sassone €6,500
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ITALIAN STATES, Neapolitan Provinces, 1861, -1/2t-50g Emmanuel II (19-27; Sassone 17-24). Original gum, h.r., full to extra-large margins, attractive colors, Very Fine set, with 2013 Avi set certificate, Scott $1,432.00, Sassone €3,250
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ITALIAN STATES, Neapolitan Provinces, 1861, -1/2t Green, 2g Blue, 5g Carmine Rose, Inverted Heads (19d, 22b, 23c; Sassone 17ai, 20f, 21h). The -1/2t also has double head in addition to being inverted, Mint N.H., full to mostly large margins, brilliant colors, Extremely Fine trio of inverted head errors in choice quality, each with 2021 Avi certificate, Scott does not price never-hinged ($1,850.00 for hinged), Sassone €9,300
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ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, -1/2g-50g Ferdinand II (10h/18; Sassone 1/14). Original gum example of each of the seven denominations, -1/2g-2g from the Palermo printing, several lightly hinged, ample to large margins, fresh colors, 50g with trivial small gum bend, Very Fine, each signed Avi, Scott $5,575.00, Sassone €9,450
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ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 1g Dark Brown, Plate I (11; Sassone 3a). Original gum, ample to large margins, certificate notes the color has been slight affected by the gum, vertical crease, Very Fine appearance, overall a highly collectable original-gum example of the key rarity of Sicily, with 2001 Colla certificate, Scott $20,000.00, Sassone €67,500
ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 1g Olive Brown, Plate II, Double Impression (12c; Sassone 4h). Clear second impression shifted upwards, original gum, lightly hinged, full marginsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1859 ONE-GRANA WITH DOUBLE IMPRESSION.
The first such error we have offered in at least 30 years.
With 2022 Avi certificate. Scott $5,250.00. Sassone €16,500
ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 1g Dark Olive Green, Plate 3 (12 var; Sassone 5b). Position 50, with sheet margin at right, original gum, tiny h.r., other three margins full to ample, deeply rich color and well-incised impression, Very Fine example of this elusive shade, with 2023 Avi certificate, Scott does not list this color, Sassone €10,000
ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 2g Cobalt, Plate I (13e; Sassone 6b). Position 5, original gum, h.r., large to full margins all around, fresh colorVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1859 2-GRANA IN THE COBALT COLOR.
With 2022 Avi certificate. Scott $6,500.00, Sassone €20,000
ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 2g Blue, Plate III (13g; Sassone 8). Positions 34-36/44-46, Mint N.H. block of six, large to ample margins, fresh color, horizontal crease at bottom, Very Fine appearance, with clear 2000 Raybaudi certificate, Scott does not price never hinged nor multiples, Sassone €7,500
ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 10g Dark Blue (16; Sassone 12). Positions 53-55/63-65. Reconstructed block of six, consisting of vertical pair at left and block of four at right, reattached with hinges, position 53 with re-entry, unused (no gum), large to full margins, intense color and impression, light horizontal crease at top (not noted on certificate), Very Fine appearance, with 2019 Avi certificate
ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 50g Dark Red Brown (18; Sassone 14). Bottom left corner sheet-margin single, original gum, h.r., other two margins large to ample, rich color, Extremely Fine, signed Avi, Scott $975.00, Sassone €2,000
ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 50g Dark Red Brown (18; Sassone 14). Positions 37-38/47-48, block of four, original gum, minor h.r. at top, large margins all around, rich color and sharp impression, faint horizontal bend at center, otherwise Very Fine, a handsome and scarce block, with clear 1964 A. Diena and 1965 Bolaffi certificates, Sassone €11,000
ITALIAN STATES, Sicily, 1859, 50g Dark Purple Lake (18a; Sassone 14b). Original gum, large margins to close but clearing at left, rich color in this distinctive shade, mild natural gum crease, Very Fine, signed Asinelli and with clear 1995 Sorani certificate, Scott $3,000.00, Sassone €5,500
ITALY, 1933, 5.25l+19.75l and 5.25l+44.75l Balbo Triptych, Imperforate at Bottom (C48-C49 footnote; Sassone PA51c, PA 52c). Mint N.H. matched bottom right corner triptychs, "I-CALO", full bottom selvage, well-centered, bright colorsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MATCHED SET OF THE 1933 BALBO TRIPTYCHS IMPERFORATE AT BOTTOM. A MAJOR AIR POST ERROR RARITY.
Only a few sheets were produced imperforate at the bottom, the only imperforate error found on this issue. The layout of the sheets (2x10 triptychs) means only two triptych positions ("I-BISE" and "I-CALO") can exist with the error. It is particularly desirable to have all of the features of this particular set - matched positions, full bottom selvage, and never-hinged.
Both signed Bolaffi. 44.75l with 1991 E. Diena certificate. Pair with 2018 Avi certificate. Scott $112,000.00 (as hinged). Sassone €160,000
ITALY, 1933, 5.25l+19.75l and 5.25l+44.75l Balbo Triptych, "Volo di Ritorno/New York-Roma Overprint (C48-C49 footnote; Sassone PA53). Mint N.H. triptych, "I-NANN", well centered and freshVERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE BALBO TRIPTYCH WITH THE NEW YORK-ROMA FLIGHT OVERPRINT. AN IMPORTANT ITALIAN AIR POST RARITY.
500 were printed for the return flight from New York to Rome. United States regulations at the time forbid the use of stamps of other countries for outbound mail, unless a special waiver was granted. By the time authorization for its use was granted, the flight had already departed. Therefore these overprinted stamps were never used. Although 500 were printed, their infrequent appearance at auction suggests far fewer survive today.
Signed Bolaffi, Champion, Mondolfo. With 1981 Raybaudi and 1982 E. Diena certificates. Scott $54,000.00. Sassone €67,500
ITALY, 1933, 5.25l + 44.75l "Servizio Di Stato" Triptych (CO1; Sassone SA1). Mint N.H., bright colorsVERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1933 AIR POST OFFICIAL TRIPTYCH.
With 2021 Avi certificate. Scott $5,000.00. Sassone €6,750
CYRENAICA, 1934, 25l + 2l Copper Red, Air Post Semi-Official, "Saggio" (Specimen) Overprint (CBO1 var; Sassone SA1 var). Mint N.H., with selvage at right, excellent centering, bright color, Extremely Fine, only 750 of the underlying stamp (CBO1) were printed, and just 100 of those were overprinted "Saggio", with 2023 Avi certificate, not listed in Scott nor Sassone
SOMALIA, 1934, 25l + 2l "Servizio Di Stato", Air Post Semi-Postal Official, with "Saggio" (Specimen) Overprint (CBO1 var; Sassone SA1 var). Mint N.H., with selvage at left, brilliantly fresh, Very Fine, only 750 of the underlying stamp (CBO1) were printed, and just 100 of those were overprinted "Saggio", with 2023 Avi certificate, not listed in Scott nor Sassone