Cost of US Stamp Scott C3: 1918 24c Air Curtiss Jenny. Page 9

24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Blue “Top” Only (C3 var). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8492/8493 and blue “Top” only block of twelve, rich colors, lightly hinged, pos. 10 small natural perf disc inclusion, usual faint natural gum bends VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 24-CENT 1918 AIR POST ISSUE WITH BLUE “TOP” ONLY. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF UNITED STATES AIR POST PHILATELY. The first printing of the 24c 1918 Air Post issue was trimmed so that the plate numbers and arrow were removed, resulting in a straight edge at top and right. After the invert error was discovered on one of the first printed sheets, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing decided to retain the top selvage. It added the word TOP” to the blue Jenny” vignette plate, so that when the new sheets were printed the word TOP” would appear in the newly-retained upper selvage. This would show the pressmen the correct direction of the blue Jenny” vignette plate, to insure that the invert error would not reoccur. Shortly after the blue “TOP” was added, sheets were printed with the additional red “TOP”. According to Don Price’s exhibit of this issue and research by Joe Kirker, only 22 blue TOP” only blocks are recorded.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 2184

24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (Scott C3). Block of four with blue plate no. 8493 and blue “Top”, lightly hinged, vignette shifted so slightly high and fast, Fine-Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 2183

24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (Scott C3). Mint N.H. with part arrow selvage at top, bright colors, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 2182

24c Carmine Rose & Blue, Center Inverted (Scott C3a). Position 48, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and detailed impressions, remarkably fresh for this rarity, long and full perforations all around with bottom perforations showing part of guide line, two tiny thin spots at left are barely noticeable VERY FINE AND CHOICE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1918 24-CENT INVERTED “JENNY” ERROR. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS THE MOST FAMOUS STAMP IN AMERICAN PHILATELY. According to Jenny by George Amick (Amos Press, 1986), the original sheet of 100 Inverted “Jenny” stamps was purchased for $24 by William T. Robey at the New York Avenue Branch Post Office window in Washington D.C., on May 14, 1918, one day after the stamp was first placed on sale at the main post office. On May 20, Robey sold his sheet for $15,000 to Eugene Klein, a Philadelphia stamp dealer. Klein had already arranged to sell the sheet to Col. Edward H. R. Green for $20,000. Colonel Green instructed Klein to divide the Inverted “Jenny” sheet into singles and blocks, and to sell all but a few key position blocks. It is well-known among stamp specialists and professionals that examples of the Inverted “Jenny” come in different grades of freshness and condition. Many of the original 100 stamps were mistreated by collectors during the years, despite the stamps’ rarity and value. Colonel Green himself allowed moisture to affect some of the stamps he retained. Other examples have become slightly toned from improper storage and climatic conditions. Hinge removal has caused thins and creases in numerous stamps, and a few have been “lost” to philately — or nearly so, as in the case of the copy swept up in a vacuum cleaner. This stamp was originally part of a block of four from Positions 47-48/57-58 that was owned by stamp dealer Eugene Klein. It was inherited by Klein’s daughter who sold it to Robert A. Siegel. Mr. Siegel sold it to Raymond H. Weill, who placed it with two different anonymous collectors before being asked to break it into singles. Positions 57 and 58 are among the best-centered examples in the entire sheet, and all four are remarkably fresh. With 2012 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 522

24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (Scott C3). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ price $425.00 as 95, $1,250.00 as 98)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 521

Airmail, 1918, 24¢ carmine rose & blue (Scott C3), beautiful stamp with incredibly wide margins and radiant rich colors, o.g., never hinged, Extremely Fine. Scott $140. Estimate value $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1479

Airmail, 1918, 24¢ carmine rose & blue (Scott C3), handsome multiple, the top row being particularly well centered, slight gum skips and gum crease in Pos. 1 – the upper left stamp, top margin plate block of 12 with plate numbers 8493-8492, arrow and imprints “Top” in selvage, o.g., never hinged, Very Fine. Scott $1,900. Estimate value $1,000 – 1,500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1480

Airmail, 1918, 24¢ carmine rose & blue (C3), top margin arrow, “TOP” & plate no. block of 10, exceptionally well centered with solid perfs, brilliant color and never hinged original gum; couple tiny gum skips upper left & upper right stamps; fresh and choice, Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott price $1,900 Expertization: clear 2002 PSE and 2005 PF Certificates.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 893

Airmail, 1918, 24¢ carmine rose & blue, center inverted (C3a), position 89, bright, fresh and well centered; disturbed original gum, small thin spot and light crease, Very Fine appearance. Scott price $450,000 ONE OF THE MOST HANDSOME EXAMPLES OF THIS RENOWNED U.S. ERROR EXTANT. Expertization: 1991 & 2012 PF Certificates. Provenance: Maffeo, Barden.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 384

Airmail, 1918, 24¢ carmine rose & blue (Scott C3), top plate block of 12, o.g., stamps never hinged, faintly hinged in selvage only (couple trivial gum skips), bright colors, a very choice example, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $1,200. Estimate value $600 – 800.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 1609

U.S.; Airpost, 1918, 24¢ Carmine Rose & Blue, Block of 4, #C3. N.h. (2), l.h. (2), well centered, Very Fine. Scott $410. Estimate value $240-280.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1710

U.S.; Airpost, 1918, 24¢ Carmine Rose & Blue, #C3. Grounded plane, n.h., scarce excellent example, Just Fine. Pos. 19 from Sanabria sheet. Scott $140. Estimate $650-700.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1708

U.S.; Airpost, 1918, 24¢ Carmine Rose & Blue, Arrow Block of 4, #C3. Crashing plane, n.h., Very Fine and choice. Scott $410. Estimate $1,000-1,200.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1709

Scott #C3, 24c Carmine rose and blue, a visually striking top margin plate no. 8492 single, possessing impeccable centering amid lavishly large and beautifully balanced margins all around, gorgeous vibrant colors, pristine o.g., n.h., extremely fine; a truly gem example; 2006 PF certificate (Superb 98; SSV $1,200.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 337

Scott #C3, 24c Carmine rose and blue, gorgeous left margin arrow block of four, top stamps are remarkably well centered amid especially large margins, vibrant rich colors, o.g., n.h., extremely fine; an exceptionally fresh arrow block; cataloged as four never hinged singles.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 338