US Stamps Prices Scott Cat. O43: 24c 1873 Navy Official. Page 1

Navy Dept., 1873, 24¢ ultramarine (Scott O43), o.g., previously hinged, Fabulous color and impression, a lovely stamp, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $400. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2015, Sale 669, Lot 3367

Navy Dept., 1873, 24¢ ultramarine (Scott O43), o.g., hinged, attractive stamp with razor sharp impression, very pleasing and choice, Very Fine, 2014 P.S.E. certificate graded VF-80. SMQ $415 in the grade of VF-80. Scott $400. Estimate price $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2015, Sale 669, Lot 3366

24c Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (Scott O43S). Without gum as issued, intense color and detailed impression on bright paper, Very Fine example of this scarce Specimen overprint, only 106 sold

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2015, Sale 1095, Lot 577

USA (Scott O43) 1873 NAVY 24¢ ULTRAMARINE Fine to very fine with bright color and razor sharp impression. Original gum, previously hinged. Cat $400.

Regency-Superior, Jan 2015, Sale 109, Lot 1550

24c Navy (Scott O43). Original gum, well-centered, balanced wide margins, bold color, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $455.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1085, Lot 4069

24c Navy (Scott O43). Well-centered with sheet selvage at left, rich color, tiny margin tear between perfs at right, tied by quartered cork cancel, “Washington D.C. Sep. 11 4PM” circular datestamp on legal-size cover with “Navy Department, Official Business” imprint, addressed to “Commo. C. H. B. Caldwell, Commd’g U.S. Naval Force So. Atlantic Station, Montevideo, Uruguay”, red “New York 1.10 Sep. 27” (110 centimes = 22c) credit datestamp, red “London Paid 7 Oct. (76?)” transit datestamp, “20” in circle due handstamp, toned along bottom edge and sealed tear at bottom left ONE OF THREE RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE 24-CENT NAVY DEPARTMENT STAMP, INCLUDING TWO TO URUGUAY. THIS COVER FROM THE COMMODORE CALDWELL CORRESPONDENCE IS ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING OFFICIAL COVERS EXTANT. In an article on Navy Department covers, Alan C. Campbell wrote: “Despite the obvious need for regular communication with station squadrons in foreign waters, little foreign mail from the Navy Department has survived. I record only six covers, of which three were in the Starnes collection stolen in 1983 and may have been lost to philately forever. These were the celebrated pair to Commodore Caldwell (24c to Uruguay, 12c, 30c combination to Brazil) and a 2c, 3c combination on an 1875 cover to Italy.” (“Usages of Navy Department Stamps”, Alan C. Campbell, Chronicle 193, Feb. 2002, pp. 44-58). This cover was also listed as No. 20 in Campbell’s census of high-value Official stamps on cover (Chronicle 188, Nov. 2000, pp. 287-299). Campbell’s article was published before the recovery of the Starnes collection and the emergence of other covers from the Caldwell correspondence. Commodore Charles H. B. Caldwell was the commander of the U.S. Navy’s South Atlantic Station (the flagship was the U.S.S. Richmond). As a lieutenant during the Civil War, commanding the U.S.S. Itasca, Caldwell captured the Confederate schooner Lizzie Weston off Florida en route to Jamaica with a cargo of cotton. The following year, the Union Mortar Flotilla under his command opened the bombardment of the Confederate works at Port Hudson, Louisiana. At the time of mailing, Uruguay was not a U.P.U. member. There were two rates to Uruguay: 23c by U.S. Packet via Brazil and 27c by British mail (effective 7/1/1875 to 7/1/1880). The April 1877 U.S. Postal Guide only lists the 27c rate with a note that U.S. Packet service was infrequent and unreliable. The 27c rate via G.B. included 5c for the U.S. and a 22c credit to G.B. for carrying the letter to Uruguay (the credit is expressed in centimes, as per the U.P.U. regulations). Although underpaid 3c for the 27c rate, this Navy Department cover was treated as fully prepaid. Ex Starnes

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1085, Lot 4078

24c Navy (Scott O43). Horizontal block of six, slightly glazed original gum, incredibly fresh color, well-centered throughout, sensible perf reinforcements, Very Fine, blocks of this value are incredibly scarce and are rarely offered with this block possibly being the largest

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1085, Lot 4070

24c Navy (Scott O43). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty shade, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 664

24c, 90c Navy (Scott O43). Original gum, 90c slightly disturbed from hinge removal, beautiful pastel colors, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2014, Sale 1067, Lot 1715

Navy Dept., 1873, 24¢ ultramarine (O43), o.g., very lightly hinged, pristine example with lively bright color, flawless and choice example of this ridiculously undervalued 24 cent Navy, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $400. Estimate value $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2013, Sale 640, Lot 610

24c Navy (Scott O43). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractive margins and centering, bright color, Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4310

Navy Dept., 1873, 24¢ ultramarine (O43), absolutely perfectly centered with brilliant color and full, lightly hinged original gum; simply Superb. SMQ unpriced as a 98, $1,550 for a 95. Scott value $400 THE SOLE RECIPIENT OF A SUPERB 98, THE HIGHEST GRADE YET AWARDED BY PSE. Expertization: PSE encapsulated and graded Superb 98.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 598

Navy Dept., 1873, 24¢ ultramarine (O43), block of 6, exceptionally well centered with bright color, most original gum, fresh and Very Fine, a handsome and rare multiple. Scott $2,800

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2011, Sale 336, Lot 1406

Navy Dept., 1873, 24¢ ultramarine (O43), virtually perfectly centered with beautifully balanced margins with lovely pastel color and bright paper. Original gum. Fresh and choice Extremely Fine. Scott $400 Expertization: 1996 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Jun 2008, Sale 328, Lot 1226