Into the Deep Blue
Our local club had an in-house auction recently, and I picked up some new specimens. In addition, I will show off some of the USA 1873 Official stamps.
It turns out I already had an example in my collection, but this local club auction specimen has a particularly rich blue & brown color. CV = $190.
It is not the best of copy with the tear, crease, and hole, but I did pick this up at our local club auction for very little. CV = $1,050. These "Numeral" stamps were typeset in Hawaii between 1859-1865.
Each Department of Government were issued stamps to use on official correspondence between 1873-1884. Most of the stamps were produced by the Continental Bank Note Company (Hard paper). Some were produced by the American Bank Note Company (soft paper). The ABNC stamps are given separate major numbers, and often have a higher CV.
I believe this is a CBNC stamps @ CV $17+.
The "Executive" Department stamps (carmine color) have a high CV ($225-$$1,000), and I don't have any.
But I do have this "Interior" 12c CBNC stamp @ $90 (unused).
The "Justice" 3c purple is CV $35.
I already had a 10c "Navy", but I picked up this better copy. CV $45.
The "Post Office" stamps do not have a portrait. CV $55.
Since my daughter is a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department now, I am partial to these lovely green specimens. Here, the 7c is CV $290 (unused).
This is a new specimen for me. CV $10.
I believe this is an ABNC specimen. CV $7+.
Out of the Blue
I have always liked the 1873 "Officials", and think collecting them on cover would be a fun (but sadly too expensive) sub-specialty. :-)
Comments appreciated!
