| Select Stamps - Airmails |  Top |
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Mint Hinged  US$ |
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248286 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small}  "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
Scott #C4, Facit #137vm-crown [1920 20 öre Blue Surcharge on 2 öre Official, AIRMAIL, with CROWN WATERMARK] Mint, original gum very lightly hinged, with F-VF centering. The crown watermark is clearly visible without watermark fluid, and is even clearer with fluid (and there are NO problems shown in fluid). This example is fairly well centered for this item -- only one sheet of 100 originally existed. One of the four rarest "post classic" Mint stamps of Sweden (the others being Scott #144, 189, and 189A; the order of rarest-first is 189A, 144, 189, C4). Of the single sheet of 100 originally released, perhaps 75-80 examples have survived for 104 years. All but four surviving examples are in Unused condition, virtually all Hinged. Three examples are recorded by Facit in Used condition, however, it is likely that those were canceled to order. This stamp is very seldom offered, even at auction. It has been more than 15 years since I was last able to offer an example, but since my start in 1973 this is the only the fourth time I have been able to offer an example. The other three times the stamps (also Hinged) sold very quickly at prices between $2000 and $3000, depending upon centering and currency exchange rates at the time. This example is from the John A. Haggstrom collection; he noted that he purchased it in June 1990, for $2375, from famed Swedish dealer and expert Rolf Gummesson. The reverse bears the well-known boxed "HW" expert handstamp of Harry Wennberg (1872-1927) and his company; the premier Swedish dealer of the 1910s-1927, and then his firm continued following his death. [For a fascinating article with much information about Harry Wennberg, see this important Stockholmia 2019 article.] The reverse also bears an additional penciled signature, that I cannot read, but has the look of an expert signature. [If you know the signature, please tell me.] Accompanied by a 1990 Helena Obermüller Wilén (HOW) color photo certificate; the best certificate of the time and I believe still now. HOW states (translated) "Unused with original gum. The stamp is genuine. No defects. No repairs. A very beautiful example of a very rare stamp. Very good Example." The term "very good" is a high compliment by HOW. HOW gave a Swedish quality rating of 3,3,4 which is excellent for this stamp. The currency exchange rate is currently quite favorable to American buyers, thus I am able to offer this uber-rare stamp at a very attractive price, especially considering that this is only the fourth time in 50 years that I have been able to offer this rare airmail stamp that is in very strong demand both from collectors of Sweden and of Airmails. Payment arrangements are possible. |
2500.00 |
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248287 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
Scott #C5, Facit #138vm-crown [1920 50 öre Blue Surcharge on 4 öre Official, AIRMAIL, with CROWN WATERMARK] Mint, original gum hinged with small hinge remnant, with F-VF centering. The crown watermark is clearly visible without watermark fluid, and is even clearer with fluid (and there are NO problems shown in fluid). This stamp is perhaps the scarcest of the Scandinavian airmail stamps that is priced low enough to be accessible to many collectors. That being said, it is quite hard to obtain and always sells quickly when it is found. This example is from the John A. Haggstrom collection. The reverse bears five owners or experts marks. One of the owners marks is prominent and dark, but it was put on the hinge remnant so as to not affect the paper of the stamp itself. Accompanied by a 2024 Jay Smith color image certificate with "lifetime guarantee". An attractive example of a scarce stamp that is missing from most Swedish collections! |
169.00 |
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244444 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
C8c (Facit 337C) [1942 20 kr blue Swans Airmail, Perfed 4 Sides] Mint, extremely lightly hinged, with XF-Superb centering. Very fresh, with almost perfect centering, and with perfect perforations. A key stamp of this time period. Such nicely centered examples are hard to find. |
65.00 |
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244446 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
C8c (Facit 337C) [1942 20 kr blue Swans Airmail, Perfed 4 Sides] Mint, extremely lightly hinged, with XF centering. Very fresh, with excellent centering, and with perfect perforations. A key stamp of this time period. Such nicely centered examples are hard to find. |
55.00 |
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244447 "View EXACT ACTUAL Image"){kind=small} |
C8c (Facit 337C) [1942 20 kr blue Swans Airmail, Perfed 4 Sides] Mint, extremely lightly hinged, with VF-XF centering. Very fresh, with excellent centering, and with perfect perforations. A key stamp of this time period. Such nicely centered examples are hard to find. |
49.00 |