Lot 3147 State Dept., 1873, $2 green & black (O68, O66 [17], O62), the 30¢ includes two pairs and strips of three and four, tied by "New York, Oct 25, 82" duplex cancels to parcel wrapper front to the American Public Library, Stuttgart, Germany; several 30¢ with small or minor faults otherwise Fine, a magnificent usage, Illustrated in the "Chronicle", #188, page 288. Estimate 50,000 - 75,000 THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN STATE DOLLAR VALUE ON COVER. IT WAS REFERRED TO IN THE ACKERMAN SALE CATALOGUE AS THE "KOHINOOR" OF ALL OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT COVERS AND IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE MARKOVITS COLLECTION. Provenance: Ackerman, Knapp, Hughes, Waud After the penalty clause handstamp was applied by the Department of State mailroom, the cover (or package) was posted at the main post office in Washington, D.C. There are no D.C. markings as 3rd class mail did not require a datestamp, and there were no stamps to cancel. The package was then posted to New York where the despatch agent applied the proper postage for international printed matter: 11.25 lbs at 2¢ per ½ oz. for a total of $7.20. Interestingly, the New York duplex canceller that was applied was actually appropriate for domestic mail -- not for foreign packages. For an example of the dated oval cancel that was used for foreign parcels, see lot 3115. The 30¢ strip of four is the largest known multiple of that value; the 10¢ stamp is position 29 showing the short transfer at upper left.

Realized $176,000

Lot 3056 P State Dept., 1873, $2, $5 and $20 high values, centers inverted, plate proofs on card (O68aP4, O69aP4, O71aP4), the complete set of matching bottom half sheets of five with inverted imprints and plate numbers, one $2 tear, one $20 with hinge thins, each with vertical crease through middle stamp and selvage, expertly strengthened, all virtually unnoticeable and of little import on these unique items Very Fine. Scott $30,000 + as singles A MATCHLESS SET OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE, EACH STRIP BEING UNIQUE AND THE LARGEST KNOWN MULTIPLE OF ITS VALUE, DESTINED TO BE A SPECTACULAR SHOWPIECE IN EITHER AN OFFICIAL OR INVERTED CENTER COLLECTION. Provenance: Earl of Crawford, Ackerman, Ehrenberg

Realized $93,500

Lot 3146 State Dept., 1873, 30¢ 90¢ and 6¢ (O66-67, O60), tied by circle-of-Vs cancel, "Washington, D.C., Jun 17" c.d.s., on large imprinted Department of State parcel wrapper front to the U.S. Consul in Matamoros, Mexico with manuscript instruction "Via Brownsvile, Texas", manuscript rate "41" and handstamped "3.10"; file crease through 30¢ one Very Fine. Estimate 20,000 - 30,000 THE ONLY RECORDED COMBINATION OF THESE VALUES, ONE OF ONLY TWO 90¢ STATE COVERS, ONE OF ONLY EIGHT 30¢ STATE COVERS AND ONE OF ONLY TWO OFFICIAL COVERS FROM ANY DEPARTMENT TO MEXICO. Provenance: Waud The other 90¢ cover has not been seen in over 50 years. The manuscript "41" indicates 41 half-ounce units (1 lb. 4½ oz.) at the domestic letter rate of 3¢ per ½ oz. plus 3¢ for the weight of the wrapper or $1.26 to the border. The handstamped "3.10" indicates 3.10 pesos Mexican postage due assessed in pesos at 2½ times the U.S. postage in dollars.

Realized $63,250

Lot 3057 P State Dept., 1873, $2 green & black, center inverted, plate proof on card (O68aP4), complete sheet of ten skillfully repaired tears, of no import on this unique item Very Fine. Scott $17,500 catalog as singles ANOTHER SPECTACULAR AND UNIQUE INVERTED CENTER MULTIPLE. THE ONLY INTACT SHEET OF ANY CLASSIC U.S. INVERT. Provenance: Korf, Col. Green

Realized $41,250

Lot 3109 S State Dept., 1875 Special Printing, $10 green & black, overprinted "Specimen" (O70SD), position 4, without gum as issued, well centered and wonderfully fresh with virtually intact perforations without gum as issued choice Very Fine. Scott $25,000 A GREAT RARITY AS ONLY FIVE ARE RECORDED, ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES SPECIAL PRINTINGS.

Realized $41,250

Lot 3227 S War Dept., 1875 Special Printing, 6¢ deep rose, overprinted "SEPCIMEN" (error) (O86SDa), without gum as issued, intact perforations without gum as issued Very Fine. Scott $5,250 ONE OF POSSIBLY TWO 6¢ WAR SEPCIMEN ERRORS RECORDED.

Realized $35,750

Lot 3053 P State Dept., 1873, $2, $5 and $20 high values, centers inverted, plate proofs on card (O68aP4, O69aP4, O71aP4), each with generous margins a Very Fine set. Scott $6,000 A SUPERB SET OF THESE RARE PROOF ERRORS; ONLY 10 SETS CAN EXIST.

Realized $33,000

Lot 3091 State Dept., 1873, $5 green & black (O69), irregular block of six with top and bottom imprint and top plate no. 120 o.g. punch hole in top left stamp F.-V.F. Scott $42,000 as block of 4, 2 singles A STUNNING BLOCK, THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE $5 STATE, AND ONE OF THE IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COLLECTION. Expertization: 1989 P.F. Certificate. Provenance: Col. Green, Ward, Weill Brothers

Realized $31,900

Lot 3067 P State Dept., 1873, $2-$10 high values, "Atlanta" trial color proofs (O68TC-O71TC), complete set of 28 virtually all with generous margins, fresh colors, several with a minor mounting thin overall a Very Fine set. Scott $28,000 AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE COMPLETE SET AS ONLY ONE SHEET OF 10 OF EACH COLOR COMBINATION WAS PRODUCED. These proofs were prepared for the 1881 International Cotton Exhibition in Atlanta.

Realized $25,300

Lot 3370 Interior Dept., 1879, 24¢ vermilion (O103), block of four beautifully centered, bright color, crisp and intact o.g. Very Fine. Scott $20,000 THE ONLY RECORDED BLOCK OF THIS RARE OFFICIAL. Expertization: 1973 P.F. Certificate. Provenance: Lilly, Waud The 24¢ Interior soft paper is notoriously difficult to locate sound, centered and with original gum. The block offered here is simply spectacular.

Realized $23,100

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