The William H. Gross Collection: United States Multiples continued...

DESCRIPTION

24¢ Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3), Mint N.H. top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and two "TOP" block of twelve, as perfect centering as this issue can achieve, bright and fresh

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine

SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)

$2,000.00 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Get Market Data for [United States C3]

DESCRIPTION

24¢ Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3), Mint N.H. top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and two "TOP" block of twelve, vignettes shifted strongly to the left, the so-called "fast plane" variety where the wing breaks through the outer frameline of the design, well-balanced margins

CERTIFICATION

The Philatelic Foundation (1989)

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine; top left and top right stamps natural gum skips (not noted on accompanying certificate)

DESCRIPTION

24¢ Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Grounded Plane Variety (C3 variety), bottom selvage block of four, vignette shifted down with wheels extending below the mid-point of "Cents"--this is known as the Extreme Grounded Plane variety--pristine gum described by the P.F. as "previously hinged," an opinion with which both Professional Stamp Experts and we disagree--in our opinion, it is Mint N.H., bright fresh colors on brilliant paper

PROVENANCE

"Saddleback" collection, Siegel Auction Galleries, 5/22/2007, Sale 935, lot 176

Jay Hoffman, Siegel Auction Galleries, 5/8-9/2008, Sale 956, lot 535, to William H. Gross

CERTIFICATION

The Philatelic Foundation (2003) as previously hinged, and harshly describing bottom left stamp with a small internal crease

Professional Stamp Experts (2003) as Mint N.H., lower left stamp with a light natural wrinkle, which is more accurate

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine

HISTORY AND COMMENTARY

Lieutenant Boyle's Grounded Plane

The world's first regular government airmail service was inaugurated in the United States on May 15, 1918. Planes were scheduled to take off simultaneously from New York and Washington, D.C., each stopping at Philadelphia on the three-city relay route. The plane out of the nation's capital was piloted by Lieutenant George Boyle, who had limited flying experience, but whose future father-in-law was the well-connected head of the Interstate Commerce Commission. With a crowd of onlookers and dignitaries, including President Woodrow Wilson and the First Lady, the northbound flight took off from Potomac Park field, behind schedule and headed south. The young pilot, wondering why things on the ground did not look quite right, crashed the plane in a farmer's field in Maryland, and the mail was carried back to Washington on wheels for the next day's flight.

The Grounded Plane stamps, in which the wheels of the plane break through the top of "Cents", come from portions of three sheets. The discovery sheet was owned and broken up by John Klemann of Nassau Stamp Company. A second sheet was discovered in 1946 and sold in the Thomas A. Matthews sale (H. R. Harmer 11/4/1964), where it was purchased by Georges A. Medawar, publisher of Sanabria Airmail Catalogue. In Linn's 4/21/1986, specialist Joseph R. Kirker, Jr. published his research revealing the existence of a third source of this variety. All known sheets are from the first printing, which produced the world famous Inverted Jenny error. The first printing has selvage at bottom and left, and was trimmed to remove the top and right selvage; therefore, a plate block cannot exist. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Get Market Data for [United States C3 var.]

DESCRIPTION

24¢ Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Grounded Plane Variety (C3 variety), bottom selvage block of four, vignette shifted down with wheels extending below the mid-point of "Cents"--this is known as the Extreme Grounded Plane variety--pristine gum described by the P.F. as "previously hinged," an opinion with which both Professional Stamp Experts and we disagree--in our opinion, it is Mint N.H., bright fresh colors on brilliant paper

PROVENANCE

"Saddleback" collection, Siegel Auction Galleries, 5/22/2007, Sale 935, lot 176

Jay Hoffman, Siegel Auction Galleries, 5/8-9/2008, Sale 956, lot 535, to William H. Gross

CERTIFICATION

The Philatelic Foundation (2003) as previously hinged, and harshly describing bottom left stamp with a small internal crease

Professional Stamp Experts (2003) as Mint N.H., lower left stamp with a light natural wrinkle, which is more accurate

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine

HISTORY AND COMMENTARY

Lieutenant Boyle's Grounded Plane

The world's first regular government airmail service was inaugurated in the United States on May 15, 1918. Planes were scheduled to take off simultaneously from New York and Washington, D.C., each stopping at Philadelphia on the three-city relay route. The plane out of the nation's capital was piloted by Lieutenant George Boyle, who had limited flying experience, but whose future father-in-law was the well-connected head of the Interstate Commerce Commission. With a crowd of onlookers and dignitaries, including President Woodrow Wilson and the First Lady, the northbound flight took off from Potomac Park field, behind schedule and headed south. The young pilot, wondering why things on the ground did not look quite right, crashed the plane in a farmer's field in Maryland, and the mail was carried back to Washington on wheels for the next day's flight.

The Grounded Plane stamps, in which the wheels of the plane break through the top of "Cents", come from portions of three sheets. The discovery sheet was owned and broken up by John Klemann of Nassau Stamp Company. A second sheet was discovered in 1946 and sold in the Thomas A. Matthews sale (H. R. Harmer 11/4/1964), where it was purchased by Georges A. Medawar, publisher of Sanabria Airmail Catalogue. In Linn's 4/21/1986, specialist Joseph R. Kirker, Jr. published his research revealing the existence of a third source of this variety. All known sheets are from the first printing, which produced the world famous Inverted Jenny error. The first printing has selvage at bottom and left, and was trimmed to remove the top and right selvage; therefore, a plate block cannot exist. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Get Market Data for [United States C3 var.]

DESCRIPTION

16¢ Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5), Mint N.H. full top plate number 14829 block of six, choice centering, deep rich color and detailed impression on bright paper

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine

SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)

$2,000.00 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Get Market Data for [United States C5]

DESCRIPTION

24¢ Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6), Mint N.H. full top plate number 14840 block of six, perfectly centered, intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper

PROVENANCE

James H. Gray, Jr., Shreves Philatelic Galleries, 9/30/2005, lot 153, to William H. Gross

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine; absolutely flawless

SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)

$2,500.00

HISTORY AND COMMENTARY

Top position plate blocks are extremely difficult to obtain in Mint N.H. condition with superior centering. We have offered only nine Mint N.H. top position plate blocks since keeping computerized records, and none compare favorably to the example offered here. The Fogelson collection, known for its quality top plate blocks, had one in lightly hinged condition. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Get Market Data for [United States C6]

DESCRIPTION

65¢-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15), Mint N.H. full top plate number blocks of six, 65¢ plate number F 20079, $1.30 plate number F 20087, $2.60 plate number 20090, choice centering throughout with well-balanced margins, rich colors

PROVENANCE

Dr. Frederick S. Fogelson, Shreves Philatelic Galleries, 2/11/2005, lot 287, to Mr. Gross

CONDITION NOTES

Extremely Fine; $1.30 and $2.60 few small natural gum skips as often found on this issue

SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)

$15,200.00 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

Get Market Data for [United States C13-C15]