Newly acquired items worthy of your attention. These may or may not be described with quite as much detail as usual, however, as always, your satisfaction is guaranteed. All are available for approval viewing. Scott numbers have been used unless otherwise mentioned.
1970s Postal Seal. A remarkable, elegant, and colorful CIRCLE-IN-SQUARE seal picturing the National Coat of Arms and the post office emblem. NH VF complete sheet of 50, sensibly folded in half. The individual seals sell for $19 each (total $950)! A terrific deal at a very low price.
490.00
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235679
FELAG FRIMERKJASAFNARA 10 ARA ("FÉLAG FRÍMERKJASAFNARA 10 ÁRA") ca.1967 10th anniversary label of the founding of the Icelandic Stamp Collectors Association (sic). Issued in sheets of 12 (4 columns x 3 rows) with same text in top and bottom margins. Sheets are scarce (most seem to have been damaged in storage). Sheet of 12 with stamp affixed in the top margin and canceled with show cancellation, also on two seals. The only such example I have seen.
16.00
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235339
FELAG FRIMERKJASAFNARA 10 ARA ("FÉLAG FRÍMERKJASAFNARA 10 ÁRA") ca.1967 10th anniversary label of the founding of the Icelandic Stamp Collectors Association (sic). Issued in sheets of 12 (4 columns x 3 rows) with same text in top and bottom margins. Sheets are scarce (most seem to have been damaged in storage). NH VF sheet of 12.
12.00
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234969
Orlof 10 aur Overprint on Scott #221 (Facit #245C2) [10 aur green Fish, comb perf 14x14 thin tooth at top] Mint Superb. This is the most commonly found Orlof overprinted stamp, however, well centered examples are scarce. The underlying stamp exists with three perforation types, logically however, the only overprinted version recorded is the last one printed. Theoretically other perforations could exist.
28.00
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234970
Orlof 10 aur Overprint on Scott #221 (Facit #245C2) [10 aur green Fish, comb perf 14x14 thin tooth at top] Mint Superb. This is the most commonly found Orlof overprinted stamp, however, well centered examples are scarce. The underlying stamp exists with three perforation types, logically however, the only overprinted version recorded is the last one printed. Theoretically other perforations could exist.
28.00
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234971
Orlof 10 aur Overprint on Scott #221 (Facit #245C2) [10 aur green Fish, comb perf 14x14 thin tooth at top] NH F-VF. This is the most commonly found Orlof overprinted stamp, however, well centered examples are scarce. The underlying stamp exists with three perforation types, logically however, the only overprinted version recorded is the last one printed. Theoretically other perforations could exist.
24.00
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234972
Orlof 10 aur Overprint on Scott #221 (Facit #245C2) [10 aur green Fish, comb perf 14x14 thin tooth at top] Mint F-VF, but with crease (not obvious from front). This is the most commonly found Orlof overprinted stamp, however, well centered examples are scarce. The underlying stamp exists with three perforation types, logically however, the only overprinted version recorded is the last one printed. Theoretically other perforations could exist.
8.00
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234975
108 VF+ pair with Superb Tollur cancellation. Very scarce so nice!
C18 VF with full Tollur cancellation. Excellent example; rarely offered.
50.00
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235066
C18 VF with full Tollur cancellation. Excellent example; rarely offered.
50.00
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235067
C19 VF with Tollur cancellation. Excellent example; rarely offered.
50.00
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235068
C19 F-VF with Tollur cancellation. Excellent example; rarely offered.
44.00
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235069
C19 F-VF with Tollur cancellation. Excellent example; rarely offered.
44.00
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235070
C20 VF with full and well-centered Tollur cancellation. Excellent example; rarely offered.
60.00
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235071
C20 F-VF with full Tollur cancellation. Excellent example; rarely offered.
50.00
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235072
C20 F-VF with Tollur cancellation. Excellent example; rarely offered.
46.00
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235074
O47 F-VF centering, but with defects. Complete Tollur cancellation. Looks nice from the front. Extremely scarce and grossly undervalued in the catalogs; I believe that this is only the second example I have been able to offer in 38 years!
75.00
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235076
Tollur Piece of Document: 142 Fine 3-strip and 186 VF pair with Tollur cancellations; 174 F-VF with postal cancellation (date unclear). On back of piece of import invoice, showing the normal practice that several stamp will have a Tollur cancellation and one stamp always has a dated postal cancellation. Such pieces are extremely scarce as they were usually destroyed to obtain the postal-canceled stamp. Even though the individual Tollur-canceled stamps on this piece total only around $50, on the piece they have much greater value. I have only been able to offer such pieces four or five times in the last 38 years! Website image shows the "raw" item and how it had been (and still is) mounted for exhibition, making it look nicer.
U.S. Military censorship of photographs and cards: "PHOTOGRAPH / PASSED BY / BASE CENSOR" double-ring circular censor handstamp in black on unused locally-made picture post card showing rural farm scene with text "3. Islenskur Sveitabær". Examples of this censorship handstamp are extremely scarce; I have only seen them on unused cards.
65.00
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234115
Bearded fisherman and son, in rain gear. Real photo card, produced in Iceland, probably 1950s. Mint with some minor flaking at right edge, but otherwise VF.
6.00
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234118
Clothes washing in hot springs. Color card, produced in Iceland, probably around 1915-1925. Mint Superb front, but back with linen hinge attachments.
15.00
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234119
Snow shoeing in mountains with legend "Úr Jósefsdal". Real photo card, produced in Iceland, probably around 1955. Mint Superb.
10.00
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234121
Austurvóllur public square in Reykjavik, showing a huge number of people (for Iceland) and a band playing. Real photo card, produced in Iceland, probably in the 1930s. Mint Superb.
20.00
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234122
Clothes washing in hot springs, Reykjavik. Printed photo, yellowish card, produced in Iceland, probably in the 1930s. This is a real scene, not the romanticized version. Mint VF.
20.00
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234123
Reykjavik street scene: people, cars, trucks, electrical wiring. Color card, produced in Iceland, probably around 1915-1925. Mint VF front, but back with linen hinge attachments.
20.00
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234124
Aerial view of Reykjavik harbor and town layout. Real photo card, produced in Iceland, probably around 1950. Mint Superb. Rare subject matter.
30.00
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234125
Whole-country map with legend of districts. Color card, produced in Iceland, probably around 1950. Mint Superb. Rare subject matter.
35.00
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234129
Neskaupstadur harbor/village scene. Color photo card, produced in Iceland. Stamp affixed to face with NESKAUPSTADUR bridge cancel and cancel again struck on wafer affixed to face. Wonderful combination of scene and postmark.
Set of 10 beautifully produced color photo cards, with gold map imprint, showing scenes of Iceland. Produced in Iceland, probably in the 1970s. Mint Superb.
18.00
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234131
Icelandic Boy Scout in uniform. Produced in the U.S., 1968. Mint Superb.
4.00
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234132
Nordic (Norden) House. Color photo card, produced in Iceland, 1960s. On face of card Scott #404-5 [1969 Norden set] canceled with first day postmarks and bearing Nordic House handstamp.
10.00
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234134
Herðubreið Mountain. Color photo card, produced in Iceland. On address side bears Scott #438 which pictures the mountain and canceled (not mailed) with GRÍMSSTAÐIR bridge cancel (type B2a) which Facit values at SEK 200. Very nice accent piece with matching picture and stamp.
22.00
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234135
Seyðisfjörður town/harbor scene with inset of fish processing scene. Color photo card, produced in Iceland. Message (not mailed) dated 1984. Unusual type of card showing commercial activity.
5.00
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233400
1905 Perforated ("K"ARITAS) full sheet of four with unusually light gray overprint on falcon. Top stamps lightly hinged, bottom stamps never hinged. Wonderfully fresh and attractive.
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310.00
233401
1905 Perforated ("K"ARITAS) full sheet of four with medium gray overprint on falcon. All NH with VF/F-VF centering. Insignificant selvage perf separation at bottom left. Wonderful!
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350.00
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233402
1905 Perforated ("K"ARITAS) full sheet of four with unusually dark gray overprint on falcon. Upper right and lower left seals lightly hinged, other seals never hinged. Wonderfully fresh and attractive with unusually nice appearance.
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330.00
233405
UMF 1917 5 Aur Imperforate Christmas Seal. Mint Superb, very lightly hinged. One of the rarest Christmas Seals of Iceland. AFA 2007 Seal Catalog value DKK 3000 = $585 [1/2010]. Rarely offered and very seldom in such attractive quality.
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470.00
233407
1911 Perforated ("C"ARITAS) without gray overprint on falcon. Full sheet of 20. NH with VF-Superb centering. An extraordinarily rare sheet; I have only recorded two examples of this full sheet in 36 years (I had both, this is one of the two). The break-up value of this sheet is around $1400, however, it should have much greater value due to its rarity.
1904 Perforated ("C"ARITAS) with gray overprint on falcon. Mint Superb, lightly hinged. The second-scarcest Christmas Seal of Iceland. AFA 2007 Seal Catalog value DKK 4000 = $780 [1/2010]! Wonderfully fresh and attractive.
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650.00
233003
Scott #3 Imperforate 1942 official reprint, without watermark, Black text on reverse "Nytryk til Standard-Katalog" issued without gum. Officially authorized by the post office for inclusion in a 1942 stamp catalog. All were hinged onto a small piece of paper with text and then placed inside a tiny glassine envelope. Listed by Facit as #3N and is the only official reprint of any Icelandic Skilling issue. Extremely difficult to find! Perfect condition as issued.
29.50
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Icelandic Christmas Seal Collection 1913-1958 Mint.
Icelandic Christmas Seal Collection 1913-1958. The complete set of 45 seals (there was no 1917 issue), from the first issue, all Mint. The vast majority are VF -- it is obvious that this collector carefully selected the best quality. Very fresh and neatly presented on album pages; virtually all appear to have light (peelable) first hinges. I note that the 1914 and 1925 seals lack gum (and the price has been properly adjusted) -- at a modest cost I can upgrade them upon request. Usually such collections have "clunkers" in them, but this collection is very nice! Individual retail totals over $440! Icelandic seals are among the scarcest -- this is a great opportunity to get the complete early collection. [233294]
265.00
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215317
Scott #O1 [4 Skilling Green Official] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 13.75 top and 12.75 bottom and sides. With fake single-ring Reykjavik (no date) cancel and fake 5-ring mute cancel. Used VF, thinned (as usual). This forgery is much scarcer than those by the same maker of the regular postage stamp issues.
45.00
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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215318
Scott #O2 [8 Skilling Pale Lilac Official] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 13.75 top and right, 12.75 on left, bottom unmeasurable due to quality. No cancellation. Mint, small tear, poor perfs at bottom. This forgery is much scarcer than those by the same maker of the regular postage stamp issues.
30.00
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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215319
Scott #O2 [8 Skilling Pale Lilac Official] complete FORGERY attributed to the Spiro Brothers. Without backprint. Perforated 11.25 top, right, and bottom; perforated 10.75 on left. Fake single-ring Reykjavik (no date) cancel. Used VF, thinned (as usual). This forgery is much scarcer than those by the same maker of the regular postage stamp issues.
35.00
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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222063
O8, Facit #TJ8PT Plate Proof. Imperforate single on ungummed, unwatermarked paper, in issued green color.
185.00
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222064
193 [1935 10 aur Dynjandi Waterfall] design stamp-sized photographic essay model by artist Johannes Britze ca.1935. This version shows a design extremely similar to the issued stamp with double-lined outer frame and cross-lined background. (Other versions exist which are not as close to the issued design.) Photographic paper with image of design and perforations on a black background, with white outer border. Mounted on grayish green card stock. Such essays for Icelandic stamps are very rare. Though we know virtually nothing about the practices in this case, typically such items are produced in only a very few examples for presentation and approval of postal officials. I have only seen this one example of this essay in 33 years. Also a wonderful thematic item for the Waterfall collector.
300.00
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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222065
194 [1935 1 kronur Hekla Volcano] design stamp-sized photographic essay model by artist Johannes Britze ca.1935. This version shows a design extremely similar to the issued stamp with double-lined outer frame and cross-lined background. (Other versions exist which are not as close to the issued design.) Photographic paper with image of design and perforations on a black background, with white outer border, surrounded by black outer border. Mounted on grayish green card stock. Such essays for Icelandic stamps are very rare. Though we know virtually nothing about the practices in this case, typically such items are produced in only a very few examples for presentation and approval of postal officials. I have only seen this one example of this essay in 33 years. Also a wonderful thematic item for the Volcano and Geology collector.
300.00
Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
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222066
194 [1935 1 kronur Hekla Volcano] design stamp-sized photographic essay model by artist Johannes Britze ca.1935. This version shows a similar to the issued stamp, but: without outer frame lines; with text in left, top, and right frames; ISLAND centered at bottom; 1 over KR on both left and right sides. (Other versions exist which are closer to the issued design.) Photographic paper with image of design and perforations on a black background, with white outer border. Mounted on grayish green card stock. Such essays for Icelandic stamps are very rare. Though we know virtually nothing about the practices in this case, typically such items are produced in only a very few examples for presentation and approval of postal officials. I have only seen this one example of this essay in 33 years. Also a wonderful thematic item for the Volcano and Geology collector.
A fantasy "Cinderella stamp" believed to have been privately made by American collector Brad Arch to resemble a non-existent 1 kronur AKUREYRI essay of a postage stamp or savings stamp or local revenue stamp. Very interesting production method: This is photographically printed directly onto thick photographic paper that has been perforated and gummed. The design itself is a model that shows it was assembled (prior to photographing) by cutting and pasting artwork, etc., as a stamp artist might do in the early stages of experimentation. The design includes the town emblem of AKUREYRI and the denomination "1" in lower left corner and "KR" in the lower right. No such genuine item has been recorded. However, examples of this fantasy stamp, offered as a essay or a savings stamp, have been sold at auction for considerable sums. (I have not seen the true story of this "stamp" published anywhere else.) Quite an interesting item regardless of its source.