Sale 1328 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 23-25 July, 2024
Category — Blocks and Plate Number Multiples (Air Post)
6c-16c 1918 Air Post (C1-C2). Top arrow and plate no. blocks of six, original gum, latter with natural gum skips at left and natural inclusion, Fine
6c-24c 1918-23 Air Post (C1-C4). Original gum or Mint N.H. position blocks of four of the first four Air Post issues, including No. C1 centerline block (two stamps lightly hinged), C2 Mint N.H. centerline block, C3 Mint N.H. left arrow margin block, C4 block with plate no. (all four hinged), each block with choice centering, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Top plate no. 8900 and arrow block of six, original gum, four stamps Mint N.H., other two lightly hinged, rich color and well-centered, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H. top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and double "Top" block of twelve, well-centered, bright colors, fresh and Very Fine
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and double "Top" block of twelve, original gum, right two stamps lightly hinged at edge and top right stamp tiny h.r. sliver, the other stamps Mint N.H., well-centered and bright colors, typical natural gum bends and small skips, Very Fine
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H. top plate no. 14829 block of six, choice centering, Very Fine and choice
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H. top plate no. 14831 block of six, top right stamp small natural gum skip, Very Fine
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Top plate no. 14830 block of six, original gum, barest trace of hinging at bottom (appears Mint N.H. without close study), irregularly punched perf in selvage at right, Fine
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Left plate no. 14829 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H. top plate no. F14840 block of six, brilliant color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a lovely plate block, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Top plate no. 14843 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. left or right plate no. blocks of six, including 65c left plate no. 20078, $1.30 right plate no. 20086 and $2.60 left plate no. 20090, each with very choice centering, particularly the key $2.60 value, 65c and $1.30 with a tiny toned spot in selvage, $2.60 with slightly reduced selvage, all are free of the gum skips that are often encountered
EXTREMELY FINE CENTERING AND LOVELY SET OF MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCKS OF THE 1930 GRAF-ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Accompanied by a Mint N.H. top plate block of eight of No. C7.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Plate blocks of ten with corner selvage and half arrows — representing the complete two top or bottom rows of the pane, 65c top plate no. 20080, $1.30 bottom plate no. 20087, $2.60 bottom plate no. 20091, original gum, a few stamps lightly hinged and tiny hinge slivers around the perimeter edges to sensibly prevent perf separations, choice centering essentially throughout, $2.60 with tear in selvage at bottom
VERY FINE AND RARE LARGE FORMAT PLATE BLOCKS OF THE 1930 GRAF-ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Plate blocks of the popular Graf-Zeppelin issue are rarely encountered in sizes larger than six. Scott value as plate blocks and singles (all hinged).
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. blocks of four, $1.30 with left plate no. 20087 selvage, brilliant colors and each with choice centering — particularly the $2.60 value, $1.30 narrow natural gum skip, $2.60 natural gum bends
FRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE SET OF MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE 1930 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Scott value as singles.
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H. top plate no. F20078 block of six, bright color, usual natural gum bends, fresh and Very Fine
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. top plate no. 20088 block of six, radiant color and detailed impression, usual light natural gum skips and bends, Very Fine and choice, a desirable Mint N.H. top plate block
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. top plate no. 20090 block of six, rich color and excellent centering, top center stamp natural inclusion, single short perf in top center selvage at right, still Extremely Fine, a beautifully centered plate block
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. top plate no. 20091 block of six, well-centered, few natural gum skips, diagonal crease in top right selvage may partly be an expertly sealed tear, couple perf separations in selvage, otherwise Very Fine
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Mint N.H. top plate no. 21171 block of six, rich color, usual natural gum bends and two left stamps natural gum skips, Very Fine
50c Carmine, Trans-Pacific, Air Post (C22). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 21624 block of six, vivid color, choice centering
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT CLIPPER ISSUE.
Advanced collectors of U.S. plate blocks understand that this issue is far rarer as a wide top Mint N.H. plate block than even the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin. The Scott Catalogue notes "wide full selvage top margin plate blocks of No. C22 are extremely scarce and sell for $3,000.00 or more" (versus $85.00 price for regular plate block)
50c Carmine, Trans-Pacific, Air Post (C22). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 21624 block of six, vivid color, choice centering, minor natural gum bends
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT CLIPPER ISSUE.
Advanced collectors of U.S. plate blocks understand that this issue is far rarer as a wide top Mint N.H. plate block than even the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin. There are perhaps a dozen or so Mint N.H. examples extant. The Scott Catalogue notes "wide full selvage top margin plate blocks of No. C22 are extremely scarce and sell for $3,000.00 or more" (versus $85.00 price for regular plate block).