Lot
2947 
China (People's Republic), 1968, 8f "Entire Nation Is Red". Workers, Peasants, Soldiers and Map of China multicoloured, an extraordinary mint never hinged single, vivid colours, outstanding centering, unmounted mint with post office fresh original white gum, Extremely Fine, A stunning example of this rarity which is seldom found in this gem never hinged condition; with 2009 China Stamp Society certificate. Scott No. 999A $20,000.
Within the first half day of its issue in Beijing, the editor of the China Atlas Press had discovered that there were geographical inaccuracies in the map (the Archipelagos of Xisha and Nanshi were omitted). The stamp was withdrawn almost immediately; however, some post offices had already sold the stamps before the official date of issue. It has also been surmised that another reason that the stamp was withdrawn was that notwithstanding its name, Taiwan is coloured white (rather than red).
Realized: $80,000
Lot
1415 
Confederacy, Nashville, Tenn., 1861, 5¢ carmine. Large margins to in at left, deep rich color, tied bold blue oval "The Southern Express Co./Nashville/Aug. 23" to Philadelphia, cover sent via Louisville, Ky. for transmission to the North with "Adams Ex. Co./Aug. 14, 1861/Louisville, Ky." cds franked with United States 1861 3¢ rose tied by blue grid & matching "Louisville, Ky./Aug. 25" double circle postmark endorsed "Paid 2/-" (bits) for the Express fee with Due 3 cts applied on top, additional struck with ornate "Rec'd Sept. 7" handstamp, ultimately sent to the Dead Letter Office with large oval handstamp on reverse, 2010 C.S.A. cert. mentions, "Envelope has minor soiling and wear, edge faults across top", we see no evidence of soiling or wear and the edge faults at top are trivial at best where the envelope was opened, Extremely Fine; with 2010 C.S.A. certificate. Scott No. 61X2 Estimate $20,000 - 30,000.
One of the Most Outstanding Confederate Covers in Existence.
Adams Express Company was required to ensure the prepayment of government postage (Federal and Confederate), although the letter was carried outside the regular mails. Very few covers are recorded with Confederate provisional stamps or markings used in conjunction with thru-the-lines express service.
Prior to the discovery of this cover it was thought that only five Nashville provisional/express covers existed. This is the only example of either the 5¢ or 10¢ Nashville Covers with the "Southern Express Co." marking.
Of the Nashville provisional/express covers, six are known with the 5¢ and three with the 10¢; As such, they are quite significant artifacts of this remarkable period of postal history.
Realized: $40,000
Lot
2833
China, 1897, $5 Large Surcharge on 3¢ Red Customs. Disturbed o.g., rich bright color, fresh and F.-V.F., a lovely example of this rare high value Red Revenue Surcharge Issue; with 2009 China Stamp Society certificate. Scott No. 85 $25,000.
It is reported that only 5,000 examples of this denomination where ever produced by making alterations to the type set used for the large "1 Dollar" surcharges. Most of these issues where used on Imperial Post Office remittance certificates.
Realized: $32,500
Lot
2658
1861 90¢ blue, Single Usage on 1866 Cover From USA to New South Wales via Great Britain. Posted at "Washington, D.C." on 3rd January 1866 prepaid 90 cents to Sydney by the treaty rate via England.and carried from New York to Queenstown on Cunarder Australasian, routed to Marseilles where it was placed aboard the Syria of the Pacific and Orient Line which carried it to Alexandria, from where it was carried overland to Suez. On February 6 it left Suez on the S.S. Delhi (P&O), arriving at Galle February 23 and departing the next day aboard the S.S. Madras (P&O) which carried it to Melbourne where it transferred to the coastal mail boat which delivered it at Sydney on March 20th. Atlantic transit of 10 days.; light vert. cover fold & trivial flap flaws, light vert. cover fold & trivial flap flaws, Very Fine and a stunning single usage of the 1861 90¢ blue, ex-DuPuy; with 1998 P.S.E. certificate. Scott No. 72 Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
Realized: $24,000
Lot 2948 o
China (People's Republic), 1968, 8f "Entire Nation Is Red". Stamp extensively repaired and rebacked with small portion of design painted in, believed to be restored from a used stamp (appears unused), Very Fine appearance, still an attractive appearing example of this rare stamp; with 2010 C.S.S. certificate.Scott No. 999A $15,000 for used.
Realized: $22,000
Lot
1399
Confederacy, Gonzales, Texas, 1864 (10¢) gold on garnet. Tied by pen cancel on cover postmarked very faint "Gonzales" cds and straightline "Paid" to Eustace St P[hillip]. Bellinger, Co. B, 8th Texas Inft, Hobby's Regt, Galveston, Texas; stamp and cover faulty (portion added at bottom left); includes original 3-page letter dated July 3, 1864 to Bellinger from his mother, talks of sending cotton via Eagle Pass (Texas)., Very Fine appearance, with 2007 C.S.A. certificate declining opinion"as to this genuine label originating on this envelope", however this is as all genuine examples exist. Scott No. 30X2 $12,500.
Realized: $22,000
Lot
1423
Confederacy, Spartanburg, S.C., 1861, 5¢ black. Cut to shape (as always), tied by straightline "Paid" on cover postmarked "Spartanburg, S.C./Jul 12, 1861" cds and "Paid 5" handstamp (type IB), addressed to Corpl. Edwd J. Dean, "Spartan Rifles", 5th Palmetto Regt. So. Car Volunteers,Col. M Jenkins, Commander, Tudor Hall P.O., Near Manassas Junction, Va. "Care Capt. Jos Walker, 'Spartan Rifles'"; tiny opening tears at top and small bit of flap missing, Very Fine and rare; with 2007 C.S.A. certificate. Scott No. 78X1 $25,000.
One of the finest of the approximately twenty known covers bearing the Spartanburg postmaster's provisional. Most of the known covers bearing the Spartanburg Provisionals are from this same Edward Dean correspondence.
Realized: $21,000
Lot
2941 ()
China (People's Republic), 1953 Russian October Revolution 35th Anniversary Recalled Set. Without gum as issued, Very Fine and very rare. Scott No. 194-197vars. $7,250.
Stamps in same designs with two additional characters meaning "Soviet" in the single-line Chinese inscription, and in different colors, were unofficially released at several small post offices in Hunan, Fukien and Canton areas in February, 1953, but were withdrawn after only a small number had been sold.
Realized: $21,000
Lot
982
Magic Letter Express, 1865, 5¢ black on brown. Ample to large margins, manuscript "Richmond July 29" postmark, tied by bold "Richmond, Va., Jul 30" cds on cover addressed to "Mr. Ro. King, near Gordonsville Va."; a 1861, 3¢ rose (65) that was affixed over local and tied by the Richmond duplex postmark, is now missing, otherwise Very Fine, the long lost on cover discovery example of the 5¢ Magic Letter Express, one of three recorded examples of this short-lived issue with this being one of only two on cover examples known. Scott No. 101L3 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
This Civil War reconstruction era issue was used for approximately two months shortly after the end of the Civil War. It was discovered by a G.M. Bastable and written up in the June 1887 edition of The Quaker City Philatelist (see inset, not included in lot) under the heading "Confederate Locals". it was reported to be found among a large correspondence from Richmond, Va. dating from 1840 to the 1870's.
Realized: $21,000
Lot
2825
China, 1897, 30¢ on 24ca pale rose. O.g., very lightly hinged, strong fresh color, C.S.S. certificate mentions "light even toning", however we find no trace of this, and included is a clear P.F. certificate, Very Fine, a lovely sound example of this second print Dowager rarity; with 2009 China Stamp Society and 1963 P.F. certificates. Chan No. 81. Scott No. 72 $13,000.
Realized: $17,000