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24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Tied by
"Philadelphia Pa. Sta. C May 14, 1918 3:30 PM" Pre-First Flight date duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, "Air Mail Service Wash. N.Y. Phila. Phila. May 15, 1918 First Trip" datestamp on cover to U.S. Patent Office in Washington D.C., signed
at right by Benjamin B. Lipsner, who was deeply involved in organizing the first airmail service and served as superintendent from Aug. 1 thru Dec. 6, 1918, return address on flap, light central fold does not affect stamp or any markings,
stamp with small internal crease at top not mentioned on accompanying certificate VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MAY 14, 1918, 24-CENT "JENNY" FIRST DAY OF SALE COVER FROM PHILADELPHIA THAT WAS FLOWN THE FOLLOWING DAY ON THE FIRST FLIGHT TO
WASHINGTON, D.C. THIS IS THE EARLIEST GENUINE USE OF THE FIRST STAMP ISSUED FOR THE WORLD'S FIRST REGULAR GOVERNMENT AIRMAIL SERVICE. For a discussion of the earliest uses of the 24c "Jenny," see pages XX-YY in this catalog. To summarize, a
supply of 24c stamps was reported received at the main post office in Washington D.C. in the afternoon of May 13, 1918, but there is no evidence that any were sold. Despite this, the May 13 date was widely reported and the lack of any covers from
that day was remedied by forgers who produced faked covers dated May 13. Specialists in the 1918 Air Post Issues, including Joe Kirker and Ken Lawrence, have opined that none of the three recorded covers postmarked May 13 are genuine. We concur and
believe that the earliest genuine covers are those postmarked on May 14, 1918 -- the day the stamps went on sale in New York, Philadelphia and all post offices in Washington, D.C. In our opinion, the Scott listing of May 13 as the first day of sale,
which is questioned by the editors in a footnote, should be changed to May 14. In his book United States Airmail Stamps 1918: History and Analysis of First Day of Sale Postal Use, Joe Kirker lists six covers with the May 14 date. One was
mailed from Washington, D.C., two from New York and three from Philadelphia. One of the other Philadelphia covers was sent by surface mail and was not carried on the inaugural flight. Benjamin B. Lipsner was not made superintendent until August
1918. Some of the covers flown on the May 1918 first trips were signed by him at a later date, and he used the official title. Ex Silver and Berkun. Illustrated in Kirker book on page 45. Illustrated in Feb. 2015 United States Specialist
article by Ken Lawrence. With 2007 P.F. certificate (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
E. $ 7,500-10,000
SOLD for $15,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |