Lot
1302 
1979, $1 Lamp, brown (candle flame) inverted, o.g., never hinged, fresh and well centered, Extremely Fine and choice, rare with only about 95 examples accounted for from the only known pane issued; with 2006 A.P.S. certificate. Scott No. 1610c $17,500.
A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THIS MODERN RARITY.
Known as the "CIA" invert, the known pane of 100 was sold by the McLean, Virginia post office in the spring of 1986 to an employee of the CIA who had been sent to the post office to buy stamps for the agency. The inverted error was discovered shortly thereafter and nine CIA employees decided to switch the errors for newly purchased normal issues. The story of what happened was eventually leaked and a scandal ensued with four employees being fired.
Realized: $11,000
Lot
1012
1852, 3¢ Issue, Plate 1-8 Reconstructions, near complete reconstruction of plates 1-8 for left and right panes comprising 1L, 2L, 3, 4, 5L, 6, 7, 8 utilizing #11-11A's for a total of 1590 different positions out of 1600 (99.4% complete), mostly singles and some pairs, lacking only 53L6, 88L6, 94L6, 57R6, 77R6, 82R6, 58R7, 34R8, 24R8 and 75R8 (#25 presented), plus there are duplicates for plates 1L, 2L and 3; condition varies with overall generally the norm for plating material, generally Fine or better. Scott No. 11/11A; $23,850 Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
Realized: $10,500
Lot
1169
1893, Columbian, 4¢ blue, color error, o.g. (tiny adherence not mentioned on certificate), usual centering but exceptionally fresh and completely sound, rich true blue color, Fine; with 2019 P.S.A.G. certificate. Scott No. 233a $17,500.
A RARE SOUND MINT EXAMPLE OF THE 4¢ COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
Lot
285 
Mexico, 1892, Numeral, 10p carmine, natural s.e. at right, tied by "Mexico, D.F., Dic 26.94" cds on registered cover to New York City, endorsed "Cerificada con, un timbre de $10 Diez pesos" at top, Mexico registry etiquette and receiving backstamp, Extremely Fine, a major rarity of Mexico as this is the only known example of the 1892, 10p Numeral issue on cover; with 2007 M.E.P.S.I. certificate. Scott No. 229 Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
This cover was last sold in our December 2006 sale for $5,500.
Realized: $3,500
Lot 357
"Great Republic" Shippers' Line Clipper Card, multicolored ad and design on glazed enamel stock (124x179mm) printed by Nesbitt & Co., with illustration of Full Rigged Sailing Ship, American Flag with Oak Branch Bordering, with card promoting "Clipper of August, 1858. 91 Days!!", fresh vibrant colors with some very light pinkish enamel oxidation and slight corner wear, Very Fine.Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS "GREAT REPUBLIC" CLIPPER SAILING CARD.
Lot
141
Canada, Official Seal, 1879, brown, o.g., never hinged, truly outstanding centering amid large beautifully balanced margins almost unheard of for this notoriously off centered issue, rich color and pristine Post Office freshness, Superb; with 2012 Greene Foundation certificate. Scott No. OX1. Unitrade No. OX1 C$3,000 ($2,260).
WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST NEVER HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 1879 OFFICIAL SEAL ISSUE.
A footnote in the Unitrade Specialized Catalogue states "VF-NH examples of OX1 are EXTREMELY rare (if they indeed exist)". This never hinged example with near perfect centering and large balance margins may well be the finest example extant.
Realized: $3,500
Lot 1425 o
Revenue, 1863, First Issue, $3.50 Inland Exchange, imperf, 1864 manuscript cancel, clear to huge margins, deep intense color and a sharp detailed impression, Very Fine; with 1988 P.F. certificate for on piece.Scott No. R87a $10,000.
A CHOICE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE RARE IMPERFORATE $3.50 INLAND EXCHANGE ISSUE.
Realized: $3,500
Lot
140
Canada, Registry, 1876, 8¢ dull blue, horizontal guideline through "I" of "Eight" at left, position 33, o.g., never hinged, exceptional centering amid large evenly balanced margins all around, rich deep color and wonderful freshness, an Extremely Fine gem, a variety almost never encountered in this quality; with 1994 Greene Foundation certificate. Scott No. F3 var. Unitrade No. F3ii C$5,000 ($3,760).
AN OUTSTANDING NEVER HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 1876 8¢ REGISTRY ISSUE WITH PROMINENT GUIDELINE THROUGH DESIGN.
Realized: $4,250
Lot
573
1852 (Jun. 8) Papeete, Tahiti to London via San Francisco Cal., folded letter with blue "San Francisco Cal 16 Sep" cds with matching "Paid" and "29" rate handstamp, New York red "3" credit handstamp to G.B., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from New York Oct. 16 to Liverpool arriving Oct. 27, red London (10.28) arrival cds, Very Fine, a remarkable usage from Tahiti., ex-Winter. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
Letter sent privately to agent in San Francisco, where the 29¢ fee to England was paid. It was carried by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Golden Gate" from San Francisco to Panama City and by U.S. Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Illinois" from Chagres to New York. Blue handstamp "29" applied at San Francisco when letter paid by agent. The blue color ink was used in San Francisco from September 1 to December 13, 1852 only. This is the only recorded example of the "29" in blue, and it is on a letter from a very scarce origin. This cover realized $4,250 hammer in our 2013 R. Winter sale.
Realized: $2,700
Lot
403
Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ red, clear to mostly large margins, on 1861, 3¢ pink on buff entire to San Francisco, both canceled by clear strikes of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Virginia Cty, N.T., Jan 13" oval date stamp, black company frank at top and manuscript "Pony" endorsed alongside indicia, Very Fine and choice. Scott No. 143L9+U35; $8,000 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A WONDERFUL 25¢ RED VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS COVER WITH THE WELLS FARGO VIRGINIA CITY DATESTAMP.
Realized: $6,750