Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — Air Post
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H., vibrant color, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. Encapsulated (Superb 98), only three grade higher (two at 100, one at 100J)
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., brilliant color, detailed impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, P.S.E. Encapsulated (Superb 98), only two grade higher
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Grounded Plane (C3 var). Mint N.H., with bottom selvage, deep rich colors, plane's wheels shifted well into "Cents" with the blue background lines extending to the bottom of the word, small natural gum wrinkle
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1918 24-CENT FIRST AIR POST ISSUE GROUNDED PLANE VARIETY.
The true Grounded Plane stamps, in which the wheels of the plane break thru the top of "Cents", come from portions of three sheets. The discovery sheet was owned and broken up by J. Klemann of Nassau Stamp Company. A second sheet was discovered in 1946 and sold in the Thomas A. Matthews sale (H.R. Harmer, Nov. 4, 1964), where it was purchased by Georges A. Medawar, publisher of Sanabria Airmail Catalogue. In Linn's Stamp News of April 21, 1986, specialist Joseph R. Kirker Jr. published his research revealing a third source of this variety. The example offered here is especially low.
With 2023 P.F. certificate.
6c-24c 1918 Air Post (C1-C3). Mint N.H. top plate blocks, C1 and C2 plate blocks of six with plate nos. 9155 and 8900 respectively, C3 plate block of 12 with double plate nos. 8493/8492 and two "TOP", gorgeous colors and choice centering for all three, C2 and C3 with minor gum skips on some edge stamps
EXTREMELY FINE. A FRESH AND BEAUTIFUL SET OF MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCKS FOR THE 1918 AIR POST ISSUES.
This set comes from an old-time collection kept in the dark for the past 50+ years. Each with 2023 P.S.E. certificate
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., detailed impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. Encapsulated (Superb 98), only three grade higher
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H. with wide left selvage, rich color on bright paper, excellent centering, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., choice balanced margins, beautiful color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
10c Map, Air Post (C7). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering, bright shade, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. Encapsulated (Gem 100), only two grade higher and three others share this desirable grade
15c Map, Air Post (C8). Mint N.H., deep shade and detailed impression, mathematically perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. Encapsulated (Gem 100), only two grade higher
20c Map, Air Post (C9). Mint N.H., bright color, crisp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), only two grade higher
10c Lindbergh, Air Post (C10). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, post-office fresh color and paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Morton, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), one of only seven at this perfect grade with just two higher
5c Beacon, Air Post (C11). Mint N.H., rich colors and proof-like impressions, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. Encapsulated (Superb 98), only eleven grade higher
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. plate no. singles, 65c and $2.60 bottom positions, $1.30 left position, Very Fine and choice set
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Original gum, 65c and $1.30 Mint N.H., $2.60 lightly hinged, fresh colors, Very Fine with the 65c Extremely Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). 65c Mint N.H., others lightly hinged, rich colors, Fine-Very Fine set
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). 65c and $2.60 original gum with small h.r., Very Fine, $1.30 disturbed original gum and thins from hinge removal, appears Extremely Fine
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Plate no. singles including second 65c, lightly hinged or gum skips, Fine set, Scott value without premium for the plate nos.
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H. with left plate no. 20078 selvage, mathematically precise centering with wide margins, bright color and detailed impression
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 65-CENT GRAF ZEPPELIN, WITH THE PERFECT P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100). Only five have achieved this perfect grade with just two higher.
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 65-CENT GRAF ZEPPELIN, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. Encapsulated (Superb 98 Jumbo). Of the 1,021 Mint N.H. submitted for grading, only seven grade higher (five at 100, two at 100J) and only four others share this desirable grade.
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., attractive centering and margins, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2023 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., well-centered with wide margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2023 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Essentially perfectly centered with wide margins all around, crisp impression, New York duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a spectacular used example, with 2022 P.F. certificate (Superb 98)
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Bright shade, nicely balanced margins, neat slogan machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., exceptional centering with wide margins, intense shade on fresh paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. Encapsulated (Superb 98). Only two grade higher (at 100 and 100J). SCV $850.
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., excellent centering with balanced margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (ungraded), with 1998 and 2020 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Intense shade and impression, outstanding centering and margins, slogan machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 XQ), the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Choice centering and margins, neat Varick St. Station duplex datestamp, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. blocks of four, deep rich colors, choice centering, $1.30 top right stamp small natural inclusion
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCKS OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Scott value as singles.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Blocks of four, two stamps at top of $1.30 block barely hinged, others Mint N.H., rich colors
VERY FINE SET OF BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Scott value as singles.
C14 is barely hinged at top. Scott value $6,300
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. blocks of four, deep rich colors, choice centering
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE SET OF BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Scott value as singles.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H., rich colors, each with perf issues such as telescoped perfs or weak perfs with few minor separations
FINE-VERY FINE APPEARING SET OF MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Scott value as singles.
65c, $1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C14). Blocks of four, C13 with plate no. 20079 left selvage, original gum, C13 Mint N.H. and C14 with bottom two stamps Mint N.H., top two lightly hinged, both blocks are quite well-centered, Very Fine and choice, Scott value as singles
65c, $1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C14). Three blocks of four and single of 65c and two blocks of four of $1.30, original gum with one possibly regummed, the single reperfed (2008 P.S.E. certificate), some stamps Mint N.H., few natural gum skips, Fine-Very Fine group, Scott value as all hinged
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. block of four with plate no. 20087 at right, detailed impression, fresh and Very Fine, Scott value as singles
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. block of four with plate no. 20095 selvage at right, deep rich color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, Scott value as singles
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Bottom plate no. 20095 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, top left stamp sealed tear thru nearly the whole stamp, otherwise Very Fine-Extremely Fine appearing and affordable plate block
8c Winged Globe, Air Post (C17). Mint N.H., brilliant color, outstanding centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only three grade higher
8c Winged Globe, Air Post (C17). Mint N.H., lovely color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. Encapsulated (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Mint N.H., wide margins and mathematically perfect centering, bright color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Morton, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), one of ten at this perfect grade with only two higher
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and excellent centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Mint N.H. top plate no. 21178 block of six, rich color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Top plate no. 21171 block of ten, all except bottom center stamp Mint N.H., bright color, Very Fine, Scott value as hinged plate block and four Mint N.H. singles
50c Chicago Zeppelin (C18). Mint N.H. top right pane of 50 with top plate no. 21172, well-centered essentially throughout, bright and fresh, Very Fine, Scott value as plate block and singles
6c Winged Globe, Air Post (C19). Mint N.H. rich color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
20c Bright Green, Transport (C29). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering and wide margins, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), this is the highest grade awarded