Sale 1320 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Thursday, 22-25 April, 2024
Category — Postal Stationery including Postal Cards
3c Red on White entire, Die 1 (U1; UPSS 1). Size 2, knife 2, watermark 1, UPSS Type 7 die, unused, clean and fresh, Very Fine
3c Red on White, Die 2, Full Corner (U3). Unused, 39 x 40mm, bright color, light vertical crease at right not affecting the indicia, small tear on backflap, still Very Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate
3c Red on Buff, Die 3, Cut Square (U6; UPSS 9). Unused, 34 x 38mm, certificate notes "a tiny contemporary, but extraneous, ink mark in the "E" of "CENTS", Very Fine and rare, with 2006 P.F. certificate
1c Blue on Light Manila Star Die wrapper, Die 13 (W25; UPSS 45). Knife W1B, watermark 1, 114 x 375mm, cancelled by large "12" handstamp, address in pencil on back (refolded), facial thins where affixed around newspaper and small thin to left of indicia
FINE appearance AND EXTREMELY RARE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED FULL-SIZE EXAMPLE OF THIS ONE-CENT STAR DIE WRAPPER RECORDED IN THE UPSS CATALOG.
The UPSS Catalog states only one full-size example No. 45 is recorded — the used wrapper offered here. No. 46 is also listed under the umbrella of Scott W25, but with a note that it is unknown to the editors.
Ex Todd and "Saddleback". With 2022 P.F. certificate. SCV $5,500. UPSS value $17,500.
1c Blue on Manila, Die 13, Cut Square (W25). Unused, 29 x 32mm, rich color, Very Fine, scarce in unused condition, only one unused and one used full size wrappers are recorded and this is the first unused cut square we have offered since keeping computerized records
6c Red on Buff, Die 10, Cut Square (U31; UPSS 63). Unused, 23 x 26mm, slight bend at top, Fine and scarce
2c Black on Orange, Die 2, Cut Square (U49; UPSS 107). Unused, 30 x 33mm, vivid paper color, Very Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
24c Purple on Cream entire, Die 42 (U101; UPSS 243). Size 25, knife 122, watermark 2, unused, return address at top left, deep rich color, Very Fine, scarcer in this large size 25, ex White, UPSS value $500.00
2c Brown on Orange entire, Die 48, Centennial Special Printing (U125; UPSS 299). Size 7, knife 30u, watermark 2, unused, intense shade and sharp impression characteristic of the Centennial Special Printing
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF SIX RECORDED ENTIRES OF THE 2-CENT BROWN ON ORANGE CENTENNIAL SPECIAL PRINTING, AND ONE OF THREE RECORDED OF UPSS NO. 299. A GREAT RARITY IN THE FIELD OF POSTAL STATIONERY COLLECTING.
Reproductions of the Plimpton Manufacturing Company stamped envelope issues were specially made for display at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. They were likely made from new dies with extreme care and show fine impressions and clearer ink than the regular issues. None are known used. The 2c Die 48 was also used on regular issues but the impressions from this die on Orange paper are exclusively Centennial Special Printings. Only three full entires are recorded of No. 299 and six total among the three UPSS numbers under the umbrella of Scott U125.
Ex White and Floyd. With 2001 P.F. certificate. SCV $35,000
2c Red on White entire, Die 53 (U149 var; UPSS 343). Size 6, knife 19, watermark 5, cancelled by "New York PO Nov. 3 12M '79" circular datestamp and oval grid duplex, addressed to New York City street address, return card for James Olwell & Co., opening cut neat top and slight toning, otherwise Fine, according to the UPSS Catalog this is unique, with none known unused, ex Barkhausen with his backstamp, accompanied by 1946 letter from P.H. Thorp to Barkhausen discussing the entire
3c Green on Fawn entire, Die 58 (U171; UPSS 452). Size 10, knife 54, watermark 5, used with 10c Brown (209), margins to in at bottom and tied by "McAlester C.N. Ind. Ter. Aug. 1? 1882" Indian Territory circular datestamp with target duplex cancelling indicia, on registered entire addressed to New York City, "35853" registration number handstamp, "Aug. 17, 1882" in large purple "B" backstamp, return address corner card for James. J. McAlester, Indian Territory (the "Father of Eastern Oklahoma"), with name edited by pencil, minor edge wear and tiny edge tear at left not mentioned on accompanying certificate
VERY FINE. THE DIE 58 3-CENT GREEN ON FAWN ENTIRE IS NOT KNOWN UNUSED AND IS VERY RARE USED WITH ONLY FIVE RECORDED.
The UPSS catalogue records only five used entires, each with a different corner card, and no mint entires. We have either sold or have records of each of the used entires and of the five this is the only registered use and only entire with an adhesive stamp. The Indian Territory origination and connection to James J. McAlester adds to its postal history appeal.
With 1997 P.F. certificate. SCV $14,000
90c Carmine on Cream entire, Die 70 (U213; UPSS 635). Size 21, knife 98, watermark 2, unused, vivid color, fresh and Very Fine, a scarce regular issue entire, SCV $2,000
2c Red on White, Die 78, Cut Square (U247; UPSS 752). Unused, 36 x 43mm, bright color, Very Fine and scarce example of the 2c Red on White with round "O" in "TWO", with 1999 P.F. certificate
2c Red on Amber entire, Die 78 (U248; UPSS 753). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 6, unused, with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine and rare, the UPSS Catalog records only six mint entires, two of which have a Wells Fargo & Co. frank — the one offered here and one other with Chinese writing on front and back and worn, at least one of the other unused entires has a corner card return address (Sale 1290, lot 1703), this fresh Wells Fargo franked example is a very choice rarity, SCV $5,000
2c Brown on Blue entire, Die 78 (U275; UPSS 757). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 6, deep rich color, cancelled by "Wappingers Falls New York Jul. 25 188?" circular datestamp and Maltese Cross duplex cancel, addressed to Litchfield Conn., Jul. 26 receiving backstamp, Sweet Orr & Co. return address corner card, small reduction at right where opened slightly unevenly not affecting the embossed stamp, part of backflap missing
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE finer of only two recorded DIE 78 2-CENT BROWN ON BLUE ENTIREs — SHOWING THE ROUND "O" IN "TWO". NO UNUSED EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN. A PHENOMENAL POSTAL STATIONERY RARITY.
The UPSS catalogue records only this single used entire and fewer than 10 used cut squares (we have offered four of them). No unused examples are known in any format. A second used entire emerged in the 1990's and was offered in a December 1999 Shreves sale. That entire has much more extensive faults than the example offered here.
With clear 1983 P.F. certificate. Illustrated in UPSS Catalog (p. 89). SCV $47,500.
1c Blue on Oriental Buff entire, Die 83, "Specimen" Ovpt. (U298 var; UPSS 890). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 6, unused, "A-a/ Bidder's Sample, Blank Request." printed at bottom, return request printed at left, brilliant color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, known only as a Specimen
1c Blue on Blue entire, Die 83 (U299; UPSS 893). Size 8, knife 38, watermark 12, unused, beautiful complementary color of the embossed stamp and paper
EXTREMELY FINE AND VERY RARE MINT ENTIRE OF THE DIE 83 ONE-CENT BLUE ON BLUE ISSUE, SCOTT U299.
The UPSS catalogue states that five or fewer entires "may" exist of No. 893, but this is significantly higher than all reported numbers we have heard before, or census data recorded by Porter Venn. This is the only unduplicated entire we have offered since our 2007 sale of the "Saddleback" collection. The example in that sale, ex Lilly and from our 1974 Rarities sale, was described as unique (it is not the same entire offered here). In addition, Venn recorded two full corners, two cut squares and an unused entire with "Specimen" overprint, which is unique.
SCV $18,000
2c Green on Blue entire, Die 87 (U308; UPSS 920). Size 10, knife 54, watermark 7, rich color, cancelled by "Ovid Mich. Sep. 23, 1887" circular datestamp and quartered cork duplex, addressed to Chicago with Sep. 29 arrival backstamp, First National Bank Ovid Mich. return address corner card, fresh in every respect
VERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED ENTIRES OF THE DIE 87 2-CENT GREEN ON BLUE ISSUE — BOTH USED. A GREAT RARITY OF POSTAL STATIONERY COLLECTING.
The UPSS catalogue reports no unused entires and two used entires. Porter Venn recorded two unused cut squares — one sold in our "Great Point" collection in 2022 (Sale 1256, lot 2273) and the other ex Floyd, "Saddleback" and "Scarsdale". There are also two used cut squares recorded.
Ex White with his backstamp. With 2004 P.F. certificate. SCV $22,000
2c Green on Manila entire, Die 87 (U309; UPSS 921). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 7, cancelled by "Saint Louis Mo. Apr. 1? '88" circular datestamp and oval grid duplex, printed address to Montreal, Canada, printed return request at left, Montreal receiving backstamp (Apr. 18), minor corner wear, still Very Fine and rare, only three used and four unused entires are reported in the UPSS Catalog
2c Green on Amber Manila entire, Die 87 (U310; UPSS 922). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 7, cancelled by target with "Beech Mich. Dec. 8 1889" circular datestamp, addressed to New York City, "Detroit Mich. Transit Dec. 9 '89" circular datestamp on back, printed return request at left, non-contemporary writing at left, central file fold, appears Very Fine, extremely rare, the UPSS Catalog states only one unused and one used entire are recorded but we offered a second used example in our Sale 920, ex Barkhausen with his backstamp, UPSS value $4,000.00, SCV $3,250
5c Blue on Buff, Die 126(B), Error of Paper, Cut Square (U418b; UPSS 2002). Unused, 48 x 46mm, fresh and Very Fine, a rare error, the UPSS Catalog states that no entires of this issue are known
5c Blue on Buff, Die 126(B), Error of Paper, Cut Square (U418b; UPSS 2002). Unused, 43 x 48mm, fresh and Very Fine, a rare error, the UPSS Catalog states that no entires of this issue are known, signed Champagne
5c Blue on Buff, Die 126(B), Error of Paper, Cut Square (U418b; UPSS 2002). Unused, 43 x 48mm, fresh and Very Fine, a rare error, the UPSS Catalog states that no entires of this issue are known, signed Champagne
5c Blue on Buff, Die 126(B), Error of Paper, Full Corner (U418b; UPSS 2002). Unused, 44 x 48mm, fresh and Very Fine, a rare error and especially desirable as a full corner, the UPSS Catalog states that no entires of this issue are known
2c on 2c Carmine on Blue, Die 120(E), Surcharge Ty. 3, Full Corner (U453B; UPSS 2815). Unused, 50 x 52mm, Very Fine and scarce
2c on 2c Carmine on Amber, Die 134(A), Surcharge Ty. 3, Full Corner (U455; UPSS 2831). Unused, 45 x 43mm, brilliant color, couple tiny natural paper inclusions far from indicia, Very Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate
2c on 2c Carmine on Amber entire, Die 134(A), Surcharge Ty. 3 (U455; UPSS 2831). Size 13, knife 80, watermark 22, unused, brilliant color, Very Fine and rare, reportedly only 28 were issued for No. U455 and its sub-listings (U455a and U455b), of these some have undoubtedly been either lost to philately or made into cut squares or full corners, with 1998 P.F. certificate, SCV $2,000, UPSS value $4,250
2c on 2c Carmine on Amber entire, Die 134(A), Surcharge Ty. 3 (U455; UPSS 2831). Size 13, knife 80, watermark 22, unused, Very Fine and scarce, reportedly only 28 were issued for No. U455 and its sub-listings (U455a and U455b), of these some have undoubtedly been either lost to philately or made into cut squares or full corners, SCV $2,000, UPSS value $4,250
2c on 4c Black on White entire, Die 124(B), Surcharge Ty. 3 (U463A; UPSS 2816). Size 23, knife 106, watermark 19, unused, small tear at right edge next to embossed stamp but not affecting it, otherwise Very Fine, a rare entire, with clear 1981 P.F. certificate, UPSS value $2,500.00
2c on 5c Blue on White entire, Die 149, Surcharge Ty. 3 (U464; UPSS 2913-23). Size 10, knife 59, watermark 23, unused, extraneous ink spot and barest trace of edge toning, Very Fine and exceedingly scarce, ex Maisel with his backstamp, UPSS value $1,500.00
2c on 1c Green on White entire, Die 127(A), Surcharge Ty. 4 (U465; UPSS 2925). Size 10, knife 59, watermark 20, unused, Very Fine, UPSS value $3,125.00
2c on 2c Carmine entire, Die 120(E), Surcharge Ty. 4 (U466; UPSS 2922). Size 10, knife 58, watermark 19, unused, 1c Green (498) affixed slightly overlapping indicia, rich color, bright and pristine
EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE 4 SURCHARGE 2-CENT ON 2-CENT CARMINE ON WHITE ENTIRE. ONLY FOUR OR FIVE ARE KNOWN TO EXIST, ALL OF WHICH HAVE THE ADDITIONAL ONE-CENT STAMP AFFIXED.
With 1984 P.F. certificate. SCV $22,500. UPSS value $30,000.00
2c on 2c Carmine on White entire, Die 134(A), Surcharge Ty. 4 (U466A; UPSS 2935). Size 13, knife 80, watermark 22, unused, trace of magenta circular datestamp at top left, Very Fine
2c on 2c Carmine on White entire, Die 134(A), Surcharge Ty. 4 (U466A; UPSS 2935). Size 13, knife 80, watermark 22, unused, trace of magenta circular datestamp at top left, Very Fine
2c on 2c Carmine on White entire, Die 138(E), Surcharge Ty. 4 (U466Ac; UPSS 2938-22). Size 10, knife 58, watermark 22, unused, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2003 and 2022 P.F. certificates, UPSS value $1,400
1½c on 2c Green on White entire, Die 88(B), Surcharge Ty. 8 (U486; UPSS 3078). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 12, unused, bright color, Extremely Fine, UPSS value $1,750.00
1½c on 2c Green on White entire, Die 88(B), Surcharge Ty. 8 (U486; UPSS 3078). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 12, unused, bright color, Extremely Fine, UPSS value $1,200.00
1½c on 1c Green on Oriental Buff entire, Die 114(D), Surcharge Ty. 8 (U492a; UPSS 3113). Size 13, knife 79u, watermark 19, unused, rich colors, Extremely Fine, it is reported that only 30 were issued
1½c on 1c Blue on White, Die 83, Surcharge Ty. 9, Cut Square (U507; UPSS 3182). Unused, 38 x 37mm, Very Fine and scarce, it is reported that only 26 were surcharged, with 2002 P.F. certificate
1½c on 1c Blue on White entire, Die 83, Surcharge Ty. 9 (U507; UPSS 3182). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 8, unused, brilliantly fresh, Extremely Fine and quite scarce, it is reported that only 26 were surcharged, UPSS value $2,500.00
1½c on 1c Green on White entire, Die 106, Surcharge Ty. 9 (U508A, UPSS 3185). Size 8, knife 41, watermark 14, unused, bright color, Extremely Fine and rare, only 18 are reported to have been surcharged, UPSS value $5,000
6c Orange on Blue entire, Air Post, Die AM3, Without Border, Error of Paper Color (UC6a; UPSS AM28). Size 13, knife 78, watermark 39, unused, distinctive blue paper color, a few very slight vertical creases (really inconsequential)
VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AIR MAIL POSTAL STATIONERY PAPER COLOR ERROR. ONLY A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE 6-CENT ORANGE ON BLUE PAPER ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST — THIS IS THE DISCOVERY COPY.
The original owner of this rare 6c Air Post Color Error purchased the item for 7c from the Madison, New Jersey, post office in 1944 when he was 12 years old. This was the first example discovered, and it was certified by The Philatelic Foundation in 1947. The updated Philatelic Foundation certificate mentions "some light vertical creases" which the original owner jokingly answers occurred by "putting the item in his rear pants pocket" while riding his bicycle home after purchasing it.
We have been unable to find another example sold at auction since our 1986 Rarities of the World Sale. This rarity has been missing from all of the prominent collections of Postal Stationery formed in recent memory, including Floyd, "Saddleback", Wanamaker, Schiller, "Scarsdale" and Venn. The story of this item was featured in the January-February 2011 Postal Stationery journal.
Ex Cook -- acquired in the Cook sale by the buyer shortly before passing away and offered on behalf of his estate. With 1947 and 2013 P.F. certificates.
1c Dark Red on White entire, Official, Die WD1 (UO18; UPSS WD1). Size 6, knife 17, watermark 2a, unused, fresh and Extremely Fine, surprisingly elusive — we have offered only two others since keeping computerized records and one was stained
30c Vermilion on White entire, Official, Die WD9 (UO43; UPSS WD47-WD48). Two entires, sizes 21 and 25, knives 98 and 122, watermark 2, unused, smaller entire with Army corner card, bright colors, Very Fine, UPSS value $1,000.00
30c Red on Amber entire, Official, Die WD17 (UO68; UPSS WD136). Size 21, knife 98, watermark 2, unused, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, only 210 of all sizes issued, ex White
1c Black on Buff, Full-Face McKinley Postal Card (UX17; USPCC S21). With printed Booth Dailey & Ivins address and so-called "garbage card" text on back, small ink Scott no. notation on back below the printing, Very Fine, desirable example of the Full-Face McKinley postal card
1c Black on Buff, Full-Face McKinley Postal Card (UX17; USPCC S21). With printed Booth Dailey & Ivins address and so-called "garbage card" text on back, Very Fine, desirable example of the Full-Face McKinley postal card
1c + 1c on Card, Franklin W. Brooks, New York, Liberty Paid Reply Card Essays (UY1E-N). Style depicting two Liberty Head vignettes at right with bi-colored "United States Return Postal Card" between, "Write address only on this side — messages on the other" at top and "Tear off communication and write reply on back of card" at bottom — each in the color of the nearby stamp, nine cards without Specimens, wonderful range of ink and card colors without duplication, Very Fine, these are particularly striking with the color division from top to bottom on each card
10c-90c 1870 Reay Issue, Better Balance. Nine entires, including UPSS Nos. 227, 229, 232, 239, 242, 244 (two), 247 and 252, Very Fine group
Centennial Special Printings Balance. Five entires offered as individual lots in a previous sale, including UPSS Nos. 262c, 329b, 380, 418a and 436a, all are fresh and Very Fine, UPSS value $2,500
Cut Squares and Full Corners Collection. Large and valuable collection mounted in two albums, the vast majority of the value is in volume 1 with very strong coverage from 1853 to 20th Century and Back-of-Book, many of the early issues are accompanied by additional used entires (those in mixed condition), a large number of items are included with Scott values in the mid hundreds and some up to $1,000, the consignor kept a tally on opposite pages of Scott numbers and values (as of approximately 2012), that total exceeds $60,000 for volume 1, the cut squares and entires are in mostly choice condition, overall a desirable collection that would jump start any entry into this collecting area or enhance an existing collection, worth careful review, a number of P.F. certificates accompany
Postal Stationery Entires, Balance of the Porter Venn Estate. Accumulation of hundreds of entires in shoe boxes, envelopes and several albums, heavy in 19th Century but plenty of 20th Century present as well, the best material is contained in two shoe boxes and therein will be found many entires with UPSS values in the low hundreds of dollars, including early issues such as UPSS 3 mint, a few Centennial Special Printings, also an essay (Undersander E115C) and two unsolds from previous Venn auctions, including No. U68 (UPSS 137, Sale 1267, lot 2555, SCV $600) and UPSS No. 3039 (Sale 1267, lot 2729, UPSS value $700), also two binders of Air Post with a number better including at least a couple $400 or more UPSS value (AM4a-28, AM78-39), apart from the Air Post the balance is not well organized or in any particular order so inspection is recommended, many entires have Porter Venn's pencil UPSS numbers, some condition issues to be expected on the slightly better material, overall Fine balance that will add up for the patient collector or dealer
Postal Cards, Balance of the Porter Venn Estate. Two binders of mint postal cards and one binder of reply cards, range of issues from S2 forward, the early issues show nothing particularly valuable but we note slightly better including S16, by far the highlight of the collection is an extensive range of more than 80 S44-S45 surcharge cards with coverage of most cities, some of these with USPCC values in the low to mid-hundreds of dollars, this group is crisp and fresh, later issues include two S64 showing both types (UX47, $225 each), Paid Reply Cards with decent coverage, overall Very Fine collection balance