Recent Acquisitions - United States

1859 Scott 35 10c green "Washington"

Type V on Domestic Cover 

Into the Deep Blue

Our local stamp club has a low key stamp auction every several months open to members. As the pandemic has waned, I recently found myself back with the club and reviewing the auction items.

As many readers are aware, my focus is WW for the 1840-1940 era. Although there were some lots available WW, the most interesting appeared to be a few U.S. lots. Admittedly, I have only a fairly good collection in classic U.S., as most of my stamp acquisition efforts are spread more broadly.

But, perhaps the reader would be interested in what I found. :-)

1859 Scott 35 10c green "Washington"

Type V on Domestic Cover 

Whenever we drive from Oregon to California on I-5, we often stop for lunch in the small northern town of Yreka, California. It was a gold rush town (discovery 1851) , and today is quite picturesque. It is far removed from the California population centers.

This charming cover from Chicago to Yreka has a 1859 Scott 35 10c green "Washington" stamp affixed  (CV $68 cover; $55 stamp). Obviously, there must be plenty of the 1859 perforated Type V 10c green stamps on cover, as there is not much increase in catalog value.

1859 Scott 35 10c green "Washington"

Type V on Domestic Cover 

I don't have many classic U.S. covers, but, with my local connection to the town, how could I resist? 

1869 Scott 112 1c buff "Franklin" and Scott 113 2c brown 

"Post  Horse and Rider" on Cover

Also, I found this 1869 two stamp issue on cover from New Market, New Jersey to Newark making up the 3c rate (CV $260 + $140 cover).

The stamps are nice, and show the somewhat off center look common for this issue.

1894 Scott 260 50c orange "Jefferson"

Bureau Issue; No Wmk

This stamp actually was acquired from a U.S. specialty dealer at our club's sponsored Stamp Show and Bourse recently. Although I had copies of the 1895 50c "Jefferson" (Scott 275 orange & 275a red orange), I did not have the unwatermarked 1894 version (CV $140).

1920 Scott C13 65c green Graf Zeppelin Issue

"Zeppelin over Atlantic Ocean"

I have always been out-bid on any Graf Zeppelin stamps prior at our local club stamp auction, but this time the opening bid was enough! (CV $175 unused). I've had the impression that the difference between a "good" and an "excellent" U.S. collection is the absence or presence respectively of Graf Zeppelin stamps. Well, I still have a ways to go!

1893 Scott 241 $1 salmon

"Isabella pledging her Jewels"

Columbian Exposition Issue

Finally, the Dollar values of the 1893 Columbians are nice to have, albeit a bit spendy (241 CV used: $525). There was a light cancelled $1 salmon specimen at the last club auction, and the auction price was right. !!

Out of the Blue

I hope the reader found this lightweight post refreshing, after the number of "deep in the weeds" stamp posts recently. ;-)

Comments appreciated!