A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzabar


A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzibar... Now what is between? For the world wide classical era philatelist and stamp collector, a country specific philatelic survey is offered by the blog author, Jim Jackson, with two albums: Big Blue, aka Scott International Part 1 (checklists available), and Deep Blue, aka William Steiner's Stamp Album Web PDF pages. In addition, "Bud" offers commentary and a look at his completely filled Big Blue. Interested? So into the Blues...

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Summer 2023 Acquisition Update

Confederate States of America
Scott 1 5c green (shades) "Jefferson Davis"
"Springfield Forgery"

 Into the Deep Blue

I picked up some additional stamp acquisitions over the summer, mostly through local stamp club auctions. The bid competition wasn't very vigorous, so this is what I got. ;-)

USA 1861 Scott 89 10c green "Washington"
E. Grill

This is  an "E" grill 10c green. CV is $325, although this example is way off center.

E. Grill Reverse Side (11 X 13 mm)
USA 1861 Scott 89 10c green "Washington"

If this was a "z" grill ( 11 X 14 mm) - CV $750,000. ;-)

1873 Official Stamps Post Office Scott O47-O50

I was missing O47 & O48, and didn't have an unused copy of O49. CV for the set was $95, and opening $7 bid took it.

USA Official Stamps Post Office 
1873 Scott O50 6c black

The "Post Office" officials are probably the least interesting design wise, but what the hey. ;-)

USA 1929 Scott 658-668 "Kansas" overprint
Rotary Press Printing, Perf 11 x 10 1/2,
On Scott 632-634, 635-642 Overprinted

The story of the Kansas/ Nebraska overprints is because of Post Office burglaries in the area. Yes, the wild west!

I have all the Nebraska overprints, but was missing the 6c red orange, the 7c black, & the 8c olive green for the Kansas overprints (CV $122). I therefore picked up this set, and gave the extras to a fellow collector.

1929 Scott 666 8c olive green ""Grant"
"Kansas" Overprint

The 8c olive green has the highest CV ($72) for the Nebraska set.

1861 Scott 1 5c green (shades) "Jefferson Davis"
Confederate States of America
"Springfield Forgery"

I thought I didn't have a CSA Scott 1, but it turns out I do. ;-) My other copy is much more "green" (CV $ 275), so could this be Scott 1c "olive green" (CV $400)? 

I doubt it. The CSA stamps were counterfeited a lot, especially in Europe.

Looks like this is the "Springfield" forgery as outlined by the Classic Stamp Forgeries website

I talked to the seller and will return it.

Cayman Islands 1900 Scott 1 1/2p pale green "Victoria"
Typo, Wmk 2, Perf 14

Didn't have - I got it. (CV $15).

Somaliland Protectorate 1921 Scott 64-75 "King George V"
Wmk 4

A good friend of mine in town offered to sell this Somaliland Protectorate set. I did not have any of these stamps. 

CV $ 118.

Left: Wmk 3 "Multiple Crown and C A"
Right: Wmk 4 "Multiple Crown and Script C A"

Be aware that the set comes in either Wmk 3 (1912-19) or Wmk 4 (1921). These stamps are Wmk 4.

1921 Scott 72 12a ocher & Black "George V"
Wmk 4

The lower denominations have this design.

1921 Scott 75 3r black & gray green "George V"
Wmk 4

The Rupee denominations are large format. One can see why collecting British Empire stamps is popular.

Out of the Blue

The stamps are now mounted (using Scott /Prinz mounts) in Deep Blue. :-)

Comments appreciated!

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