The APS Sale

1851, 3d red, full margins except slightly in at bottom left, tied by "11" numeral grid cancel on 1856 folded cover with Perth (1.15) and Dorchester (1.15) backstamps to Moncton; small edge tear at top center, a Very Fine use; with 2019 Greene Foundation certificate.

Scott No. 1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $950.

1851, 6d olive yellow, bisected, full to large margins, brilliant color, tied by "11" oval, matching "Dorchester, N.B., SE 23, 1858" backstamp on orange buff cover to Fredericton, reverse with St. John (9.24) transit and Fredericton (9.24) arrival cds; cover creases away from bisect.

Scott No. 2b   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $3,500.

1851, Beaver, 3d red, on laid paper, imperforate, margins to touched, small corner crease, tied by two strikes of seven-ring target, matching partial "Guelph, U.C., NO 7, 1852" cds on blue folded letter to Cobourg (11.20), forwarded to London, Dec. 4th arrival backstamp, F.-V.F.; with 1998 Greene Foundation certificate.

Scott No. 1 ; $1,900  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

Official Seal, 1913, dark brown, used at top to seal opening along with paper tape, tied by "Victoria, B.C. Dec 7, 1916" machine backstamp on cover bearing 2¢ carmine (90) tied by "Victoria, B.C." machine cancel to Hove, England , purple "Returned for War Tax" straightline and blue crayon circled "T" due rating, purple double-oval Dead Letter Office backstamp; small edge flaws, bit of seal missing with some perf toning, still a Very Fine and scarce officially sealed use. Scott No. OX4.

Unitrade No. OX4   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  C$3,000 ($2,220).

1870, ½d rose, tied by "E.C. 20." barred oval on ½d wrapper to Fort Wayne Ind., small flaws, F.-V.F. and scarce wrapper use. SG No. 49.

Scott No. 58   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

(Ballon Fulton ) 1870 (Oct. 30) Paris to Rapperswyl, Switzerland , folded letter postmarked "Paris, R. Montaigne, 30 Oct 70" double-circle postmark and franked with 10c + 20c Empire Lauré tied by numeral "9" star cancels, carried by the Fulton , backstamped "Geneve-Culoz, 4.XI.70" Swiss transit postmark, Extremely Fine and attractive, a lovely cover in perfect condition.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $500 - 750.

On November 2nd (Wednesday), the balloon Fulton (Godard) left the Gare d'Orléans at 8:30am with 4 sacks of mail (250 kg) and landed at 2:30pm near Chanzeaux (south of Angers). The mail was taken to Angers on November 2, and the pilot (Le Gloarnec) and passenger (Louis Cezanne) reached Tours on November 3.

(Ballon Fulton ) 1870 (Oct. 31) Paris to Quenne, France , folded Gazette des Absents No. 3 postmarked "Paris, R. Pascal, 31 Oct 70" double-circle datestamp bearing 20c Empire Lauré tied by superb strike of numeral "29" star cancel, reverse with "Quenne, 4 Nov 70" arrival cds, Extremely Fine and attractive.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $500 - 750.

A BEAUTIFUL COVER FROM THE RARE PARIS OFFICE CARRIED BY THE FULTON .

(Ballon Duquesne ) 1871 (Jan. 4) Paris to St. Petersburg, Russia , folded Gazette des Absents No 21 postmarked "Paris, Ministëre des Finances, 4 Janv 70" double-circle datestamp and bearing 80c Empire Lauré tied by superb strike of numeral "35" star cancels, carried by the Duquesne , blue manuscript Prussian crayon "fr 2" credit rating, no arrival marking; trivial flap restoration, Extremely Fine and attractive.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,000 - 1,500.

A WONDERFUL BALLON MONTÉ USE TO RUSSIA CARRIED ON THE DUQUESNE .

On January 9 (Monday), the balloon Duquesne (Godard) left the Gare d'Orléans at 3:15am with 6 sacks of mail (150 kg) and landed in occupied territory at 3:00pm near Puisieulx (12km southeast of Reims). The pilot (Charles Richard) arranged to smuggle the mail to Reims (where it was pre-sorted) and then north to Hirson late on January 10. Richard went via Hirson, Valenciennes and Lille to Bordeaux on January 18.

1860, Napoleon III imperforate, 10c bister on yellowish, type II, block of 4, o.g., lightly hinged, full to large margins, bright color, fresh and Very Fine block; signed by Calves on reverse, with 2023 P.F. certificate. Yvert No. 13A var.

Scott No. 14c   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,800 as singles.

1900, Merson, 2fr gray violet & yellow, without gum as issued, large margins all around, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine and choice. Yvert No. 122a.

Scott No. 126a   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,300.

1925, 5fr Paris Philatelic Exhibition, block of four, o.g., never hinged, well centered with brilliant color on fresh paper, Very Fine. Yvert No. 216.

Scott No. 226b   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $900.

1930, 1.50fr+3.50fr Smile of Reims, complete booklet with pane of 8, o.g., never hinged, Very Fine and scarce complete booklet. Yvert No. 256 var.

Scott No. B34b   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,100.

Airmail, 1936, 50fr "Banknote", o.g., never hinged, bottom left corner margin single, bright and fresh, Very Fine. Yvert No. 15.

Scott No. C15   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,700.

Airmail, 1936, 50fr "Banknote", bottom right corner margin block of four showing "15 Juin 1936" coin date, o.g., never hinged, beautifully centered with bright color, Very Fine and scarce block; with 1968 Robineau certificate. Yvert No. 15.

Scott No. C15   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $6,800.

Airmail, 1936, 10fr South Atlantic Crossing, o.g., never hinged, left selvage single, exceedingly well centered with strong color, Extremely Fine and choice. Yvert No. 321.

Scott No. C17   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $700.

1849, 1kr black, plate I, three large margins, in at left, tied by "Bayreuth, VI, 14/12" semi-circle datestamp on gray folded cover to Busch; central vertical file fold, F.-V.F. and scarce first-issue use. Michel No. 1 Ia.

Scott No. 1 ; $4,750  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

1850, 1kr pink, bright shade, tied by "350" numeral cancel, "Nurnberg, 14 Dec. 1860" double-circle datestamp on blue folded cover addressed locally, Very Fine. Michel No. 3.

Scott No. 4   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

1901, 3m black violet, deep rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, bold strikes of "KD Feldpost Station No. 2 14/5l (Peking) cds, Very Fine, a beautiful stamp with a scarce cancel used during the Boxer Rebellion. Michel No. 16.

Scott No. 21   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

1888 (Mar. 13) Rome, Italy to Kyota, Japan via Yokohama, Italy 10c postal card canceled by "Roma, Ferrovia, 13, 3-88" cds with Japan 2s carmine tied by Japanese framed handstamp, reverse with Yokohama (4.26) and Kobe (4.28) backstamps; card creases, small stamp flaws, Fine and scarce mixed franking.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

1865 (Jan. 17) Yokohama, Japan to Marseilles, France via Hong Kong, blue folded letter endorsed "via Marseilles", blue "Carst, Lels & Co. Kanagawa, Japan" sender's oval and Hong Kong "C" (1.29) transit, "GB/1f22 1c/4c" diamond accountancy handstamp, bold red "Pays Etr. V. Suez, Marseilles, 13 Mars 65" entry cds and "8" decimes due handstamp, fresh and Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Yokohama "5118" Lozenge Cancel, clear strike on France 1869, Napoleon III Laureate, 5fr gray lilac on lavender (37), faults, Fine appearance.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

1879 (Apr. 26) Malta mourning cover to Yokohama, Japan, mourning cover from the Chamberlain correspondence to Imperial Naval College bearing G.B. 4d sage tied by "Malta, AP 26, 79" duplex with "A25", forwarded locally, reverse with Singapore (5.25) transit and Yokohama (6.8) arrival cds, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

1874, Cherry Blossom, 2s yellow, foreign wove paper, Syllabic 7, vivid color, tied by syllabic numeral in circle cancel on 1874 European-size cover from Captain Lebon to his mother Madame Lebon, Paris, France, sender's directive "via Marseilles", boldly struck Degron-kun Type 1 handstamp ("Mr. Degron, Chief of French Mail Ship Co., Honcho 5-chome, Yokohama") on the front at lower left, used with France, 1872, 80c Rose, Large Numerals (63; Yvert 57), 1873, 15c Bister, Large Numerals (61; Yvert 55) and 1872, 5c Yellow Green (53; Yvert 53) , each tied by bold "5118" dotted diamond cancel, "Yokohama, Japon, 7 Dec 74" double-circle datestamp, red "PD" framed handstamp, Paris (1.22.1875) backstamp, with original letter datelined "Mito-Yaski 6 Debre 74" from the residence of Lord Mito in Tokyo; 15c has small part of corner torn off, Very Fine, ex-Magnolia .

Scott No. 34   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.

A COLORFUL AND RARE DEGRON-KUN COVER WITH JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOM AND THREE-COLOR FRENCH CERES FRANKING. THE MARKINGS AND STAMPS ARE ALL ON THE FRONT AND THE ORIGINAL LETTER IS INTACT, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE OF ALL DEGRON-KUN COVERS.

This cover was sent by Felix Frederic Georges Lebon (1845-1923), who was captain and Chief Artillery Instructor of the French Military Mission to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on May 17, 1872, and was employed by the Japanese Ministry of Army. Captain Lebon resided in the Instructors' House at Nagatacho in Tokyo. His time in Japan spanned four years.

No later than January 1873, members of the French Military Mission began using the "Degron-kun" method to send letters by Japanese mail to Henri J. Degron, postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, for entry into the international mail system. The handstamped address to Postmaster Degron identifies covers sent by this method. Many of the covers have Japanese and French mixed frankings (the Japanese stamps have been removed from some).

Nearly 90% of the Degron-kun covers reported by Matsumoto have the Type 1 handstamp. As Matsumoto points out (p. 151), the wording of the Type 1 handstamp is inaccurate. Degron was never "Chief of French Mail Ship Co." (Messageries Maritimes). He was the postmaster of the French post office in Yokohama, who prepared mail for French steamship packet sailings as part of his responsibilities. This was prepaid for the 100c rate by French Packet via Marseilles.

1875, Cherry Blossom, 10s ultramarine, foreign wove paper, with syllabic, tied by bold quartered cork, red "Yokohama, Paid All, May 11" cds and matching "5 Cents" credit handstamp on 1877 gray cover to London, England , endorsed "Via San Francisco", magenta "San Francisco, Cal. May 29" exchange, red London Paid (6.18.77) arrival cds; light toning band, small perf flaws at top, F.-V.F. and scarce foreign mail use; with 2016 P.F. certificate.

Scott No. 45   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

1923, Earthquake Emergency Series, ½s to 20s complete, set on registered commercial cover from Osaka with corner card to Canada postmarked Jan 4, 1924, F.-V.F. and scarce use, Sakura #200-208.

Scott No. 179-187   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

1856, First Issue, 1r yellow, Durango, without district name, wide margins, tied by neat fancy " Cuencame " handstamp (Schatzkes 24B) on fresh folded letter sheet to Durango, with official Principal De Rentas wreath cachet handstamp, Very Fine and choice, a scarce revenue office official cover from a very small town.

Scott No. 2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

1856, First Issue, 1r yellow, Mazatlan, horizontal pair , right stamp with partial incomplete impression at right, canceled by bold " El Fuerte " box handstamp (Schatzkes 763) on 1858 folded letter sheet to Mazatlan, Very Fine.

Scott No. 2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

1856, First Issue, 4r red, used with 1r yellow (2) , margins to in, both tied by strikes of red "Franqueado en Tepic." framed handstamp on gray folded cover to Guadalajara; tiny stain spot, otherwise Very Fine and choice strike.

Scott No. 4   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

1856, First Issue, 8r red lilac, vertical quadrisect, Zacatecas, on gray piece tied by full strike of " San Juan del Mesquital " box cancel (Schatzkes 1879), Very Fine and choice, Very Fine and choice, seldom cut in this way; with 2021 M.E.P.S.I. certificate.

Scott No. 5d   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

1861, Second Issue, 2r black on pink, Mexico, tied by "Franco, Mexico, 29 Dic, 1861" cds on gray folded letter to Llanes, Spain , with bold clear "Paid At Vera-Cruz" crown circle handstamp and red manuscript "1/-" rating, reverse with British "Vera Cruz, Ja 1, 1862" cds and Mexico British Consulate coat of arms seal handstamp, Havana (1.6) and London (1.29) transit backstamps, Spain "8Rs" due handstamp, Very Fine.

Scott No. 8   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

A CHOICE USE FROM THE BRITISH CONSULATE IN MEXICO TO SPAIN.

1861, Second Issue, 8r black on red brown, quadrisect, Guadalajara, bottom right portion of stamp tied by fancy floral handstamp with oval " Tepic " handstamp alongside (Schatzkes 411 & 412) on gray folded letter to San Blas; horizontal cover split reinforced at sides, otherwise Very Fine; with 2021 M.E.P.S.I. certificate.

Scott No. 11b   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

1868, Hidalgo (thick figures, imperf), 6c black on buff, Saltillo, cons 30-70, horizontal pair and two singles, tied by two strikes of Parras de la Fuente circular handstamps (Schatzkes 1415) on blue 1870 folded letter to Parral, Very Fine, a very small town and scarce cancel.

Scott No. 58   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

1868, Hidalgo (thick figures, imperf), 25c blue on pink, single on three fresh covers tied by choice strikes on exhibit page; includes Silao (Schatzkes 527) Guanajuato 6-69, Toluca (Schatzkes 1669) Guadalajara 41-70 used out of district, and Penjamo (Schatzkes 515) Guanajuato 6-69, Extremely Fine and choice.

Scott No. 61   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

1866, King Luiz, 10r yellow, block of 4, o.g., never hinged, full to large margins, F.-V.F.; with 1987 A.P.S. certificate.

Scott No. 18   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $900.

Geneva, 1850, "Vaud", 5c black & red, large margins to clear at left, small tear bottom left, tied by sharp red rosette cancel, matching "Geneve, 3 Juin 50" cds on folded letter to Plainpalais; addressee name rewritten with small hole adjacent, Very Fine appearing use of the the Geneva 1850 5c transitional issue; signed Roger Calves, with 1966 Nussbaum certificate. Zumstein No. 10.

Scott No. 2L6   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $3,750.

1850, Poste Locale, 2½rp black & red, with frame around cross, large margins to clear all around, tied by bold strike of " P.P. " in circle with corresponding "Chaux de Fonds, 14 Aout 51" double-circle datestamp which also ties stamp to preprinted folded letter addressed locally, Very Fine and choice, ex-Przybyl ; with 2020 Marchand certificate. Zumstein No. 14 I 600 SFr ($610).

Scott No. 2 ; $4,750  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

A REMARKABLY BEAUTIFUL SINGLE-FRANKING COVER OF SWITZERLAND'S FIRST ISSUE.

1859, Thin Figure, 180c green, type 7, large margins all around, tied by oval "Admon de Correos, Montevideo, 4 Mayo, 1861" datestamp on double-rate cover endorsed "Constitution" to Buenos Aires, Argentina , Very Fine and choice; signed Diaz.

Scott No. 11   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

1864, 6c Brick Red, large margins, tied by "Montevideo, Apr 27, 1865" oval datestamp upon arrival on folded letter datelined "Durazno, Abril 22 de 1865", stamp with minor flaw in top right corner, otherwise Very Fine and rare, ex-Bustamante .

Scott No. 18c   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,400.

The 6c Brick Red is the rarest shade of the Escudito issue to find on cover, this cover was accepted but underpaid the 8c rate for two sheets sent domestically.

1864, 6c Blood Red, Bisect used as 3c , bottom left diagonal bisect, tied across the cut by intricate Montevideo postmaster seal on 1876 orange cover to Salto, clear strike of "Detenida por Falta de Franqueo" two-line handstamp for insufficient postage, additionally struck boxed "Archivo" and "Listas, 30 Dec 76" double-circle datestamp as the addressee could not be found, Very Fine and intriguing cover, ex-Hoffmann .

Scott No. 18 var.   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

The Escudito issue was discontinued in 1866 making this an exceptionally late use, also the bisect presumably pays a 3c rate that did not exist as the normal rate was 6c.