Rare stamps and covers (Nov 2011)

Every week we compile list of rare stamps and covers on the market. These are some of the most interesting philatelic items that we felt are interesting enough for collectors to browse.

Rare Stamps and Covers | 2010-Current | Archives |

Lithuania 1924 Stylized Cross Mi 215 Sc 207

MNH Rare in this condition. Litauen Wz Schlingen Mi 215

eBay listing – Ended Nov 27, 2011. Sold: $285 (19 bids)

Lithuania 1924 imperforate pair Mi 218U

An imperforate horizontal pair of the Supplementary Definitive Issue of 1924, 15 skatiku Mi 218U.

eBay listing – Ended Nov 27, 2011. Sold: $67 (9 bids)

Lithuania 1924 unwatermarked war orphans air post

The 60ct + 60ct value stamp of War Orphans benefit semi-postal air post issue of 1924 on unwatermarked paper (Scott CB3 unwmk; Michel 239Y).

eBay listing – Ended Nov 27, 2011. Sold: $582 (30 bids)

Lithuania 1919 postcard to Germany

An early picture postcard, franked with Second Kaunas issue stamps (10sk, 15sk and 20sk), posted in Kaunas in Feb 2, 1919 and mailed to Stuttgart. Military censorship mark “M.P.k” (Militärische Postkontrolle Königsberg).

eBay listing – Ended Nov 26, 2011. Sold: $317 (18 bids)

Lithuania 1933 Zeppelin flown cover to South America

A registered cover sent from Klaipeda to Pernambuco, Brazil. Zeppelins carried a great deal of mail, mostly because zeppelin flights were the fastest way to send mail across the ocean in their day. The zeppelin flown covers and other philatelic covers are prized by stamp collectors.

eBay listing – Ended Nov 26, 2011. Sold: $588 (20 bids)

Lithuania 1935 Vaitkus Flight Cover Lituanica II

The 1935 flight registered cover No 731 carried on the second transatlantic flight from New York to Kaunas by a Lithuanian-American aviator Felix Waitkus (Feliksas Vaitkus). Franked with Mi 404.

eBay listing – Ended Nov 26, 2011. Sold: $802 (18 bids)

Tauroggen (Taurage) 1857

Tauroggen to St. Petersburg, 10k. blue and brown, tied by pen cross, on reverse, red oblong despatch datestamp of Tauroggen and arrival c.d.s. for 4 January 1858. From the manuscript date, it may be deduced that the cover was posted and franked on the 2nd of January, the first day of use of the first Russian postage adhesive. The 31st of December 1857 was Saturday and the 1st of January 1858 was Sunday in Russia, therefore, the 31st of December framed datestamp of Tauroggen was very probably carelessly used at the Post Office on the 2nd January with the previous date of use. A fabulous cover, one of the most important Lithuania in Tsarist Russia postal history rarities. Liphschutz Certificate (1994). Michel 1

Spink (Sale 11034) – Ended Nov 29, 2011. Sold €180000

Kovno (Kaunas) 1858

Kovno to Warsaw, 10 kop. brown and blue, tied by pen strokes and showing fine strike of “Kovno/1858 January 1” circular datestamp, the first day of official usage. The day of the handstamp was corrected in manuscript from “1” to “2”, the 1st January 1858 was a Sunday, and therefore the Post Offices in Russia were closed. As a consequence, the 2 January was the first day of issue of desirable first day cover. Regarded as one of the World’s most spectacular philatelic rarities, an absolute gem of Lithuania in Tsarist Russia postal history. Liphschutz (1994) and Z. Mikulski (1995) Certificates. Mi. 1

Spink (Sale 11034) – Ended Nov 29, 2011. Sold €150000

Kovno (Kaunas) 1858

Kovno to Warsaw, 10 kop. blue and brown, canceled by superb and neat strike of dotted numeral “19” of with despatch and arrival datestamps on reverse. An exquisite exhibition quality cover. Michel 1

Spink (Sale 11034) – Ended Nov 29, 2011. Sold €5800

Tauroggen (Taurage) 1858

Tauroggen to St. Petersburg, 10 kop. blue and brown, a magnificent horizontal pair with large margins all around with rare bright colours, only found in the Western provinces of Tsarist Russia, delightfully tied to 1858 entire to St. Petersburg by pre-stamp “taurogen/28 march 1858” datestamp, additionally tied by the “gebr. levi/tauroggen” company chop (used to protect stamps against theft). Visually superb, due to its freshness and delicate quality in all respects, an exceedingly desirable showpiece for the most discerning collector. By far the best of the four recorded pairs on cover. Z. Mikulski Certificate (1997) stating “. Michel 1

Spink (Sale 11034) – Ended Nov 29, 2011. Unsold. Estimate €35000-€55000.

Latvia 1919 Palanga cover

A scarce provisional Palanga – Latwija cancel. In 1921 Palanga post office was transferred from Latvian to Lithuanian postal authority.

eBay listing – Ended Nov 19, 2011. Sold: $335 (1 bid)

Lithuania 1923 imperforate pair Mi 213U

An imperforate horizontal pair of the Supplementary Definitive Issue of 1923, 25 skatiku Mi 213U. Klein certificate.

eBay listing – Ended Nov 17, 2011. Sold: $86 (3 bids)

Lithuania 1919 Second Vilnius issue

Provisional cachet “Wilna” used on the Second Vilnius issue (Mi 3-8) stamps.

eBay listing – Ended Nov 15, 2011. Sold: $239 (4 bids)

Lithuania 1933 Darius-Girenas Overprinted Issue

Dr. Vitaly Geyfman identified this sets as a forgery – see comment below. An overprinted issue on 5 stamps of the Lithuanian Child 2nd Air Post issue for the benefit of the transatlantic flight.