Auction Detail
June 2023
"Erivan" Collection Part IX and Canal Zone Stamps and Covers
Our June sales include Part IX of the "Erivan" Collection of United and Confederate States Postal History and a catalogue of Canal Zone stamps and covers featuring the collections of James W. Crumpacker and Paul F. Ammons.
89x76mm, sunk on card, bright and fresh, control backstamp 880147A and "Modeling", very fine, only two large die proofs of the 6c are recorded with this the only one sunk on card
measures 88x72mm, control handstamp 70050 on reverse, light toning from adhesive, still very fine and unique, the only recorded trial color proof for the 40c airmail, a great Canal Zone rarity
all six values released November 18, 1931 (5c, 10c, 15c, 20c, 40c, $1) tied by Balboa first day of issue cancels, additional 15c Gray (90) alongside, addressed to Fort Kamehameha, Hawaii, stamps with some toning, still fine and scarce first day
two singles tied by March 5, 1942 Balboa machine cancel to cover to a U.S. Marine in the Midway Islands, light wear and slightly reduced at right just into stamp, still fine, a very rare destination
singles tied by October 1, 1946 Cristobal duplex to cover to Wellington, New Zealand, very fine, October 1 was the first day of the new reduced airmail rates, fewer than 10 examples of "PSN" private perforations on cover are recorded
used alongside 1c Green (105), tied by May 27, 1950 Cristobal machine cancel to cover to "Tarawa Island, Gilbert Group, via Ocean Island", two line "Air Service Not Available" handstamp, opened roughly at top, otherwise fine, an extraordinary destination
used alongside 1925 15c Gray (90) and 1931 5c Yellow green (C7) on registered cover to Magdeburg, Germany, stamps tied by mute Cristobal ovals, backstamped Cristobal November 18, 1931, New York City, and Magdeburg, very fine and scarce use of this high denomination
vertical strip of four on large part parcel wrapper postmarked "Fort Amador Canal Zone Sep 7 1946", addressed to U.S. Naval Hospital in Corona, California, various handstamps including "Insured No. 2590" and "Passed Free U.S. Customs at Miami, Fla.", very fine, $4.00 pays 37 times the 10c ½ ounce rate plus 25c insurance (plus 5c convenience overpay)
used alongside 3c Gold Rush Centennial (142), 5c Stevens (139), 20c Red Violet (C11), and 40c Yellow (C13) on large cover to the Master of the S.S. Lake Minnewanka in Yokohama, Japan, postmarked Cristobal September 20, 1949, marked "Please Return to the Sender" and rerouted to Vancouver, Canada where this cover arrived one month later on October 20, slightly reduced at left and some wear to be expected from such an arduous journey, fine and rare
includes C6 (5), C7 (5), C8 (10), C9 (4), C10 (17), C11 (5), C12 (5), C13 (9), and C14 (4), all very fine and fresh (Scott $1,420+)
the exhibit balance of the Paul Ammons collection consisting of 49 covers neatly mounted and described, note interesting covers including (in no particular order): first day of use certified mail service, 1932 registered from Gatun to Roessler in New Jersey, 1942 special delivery with censor tape, several registered censored covers, various customs markings, December 16, 1941 cover with "Released by P.O. Inspector Engaged on Censorship" handstamp used in San Antonio for less than three weeks in December 1941, and much more, generally fine to very fine, an extraordinary group selected for their interest and scarcity, not to be missed by the specialist in Canal Zone airmail
15 covers to a wide variety of destinations including Australia, China, Fiji, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and the Philippines, note 1945 censored cover to Honolulu, discovery copy of "Insufficient Postage for Dispatch by Air from Canal Zone" handstamp, few small faults but generally fine to very fine, a fascinating and diverse group ideal for the specialist, many different frankings and rates represented which would take a considerable amount of time to duplicate