loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
Three Postal Treasures Sets with Six Commemorative Stamps - $5 (Midlothian)
QR Code Link to This Post
Stamps included in the set include:
1) 1962 4 cent Dag Hammarskjold
(Two Stamps)
U.S. #1203 was issued in honor of United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, who had died in a plane crash a year earlier. Hammarskjold (1905-61), of Sweden, was the second Secretary-General of the U.N., and the only person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize after his death. U.S. President John F. Kennedy called Hammarskjold the greatest statesman of our century.
This stamp is also notable for an invert error that occurred, which caused the yellow background to be inverted most obviously with a white shadow next to the United Nations building in the design. The error led the postmaster general to authorize a special printing, resulting in U.S. #1204.
Issue Date: October 23, 1962
City: New York, New York
Printing Method: Giori Press
Perforations: 11
Color: Black, brown and yellow
2) United States in Space (3 Stamps)
1948 3c Fort Bliss Centennial
A theme of old and new is featured on U.S. #976 – the centennial issue commemorating Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas. The design of the stamp features a 19th century Spanish-style mission to commemorate its role as a key defense for the region. It also pictures a rocket launch, signifying the fort’s history in the development of the American rocket program.
Fort Bliss was one of the first American military bases to test rockets and train people in their use. In 1946, many of the German scientists freed by U.S. spies in World War II were stationed at Fort Bliss. The facility remains a primary training ground for U.S. military rocket personnel and testing.
Issue Date: November 5, 1948
City: El Paso, Texas
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforations: 10 ½ x 11
Color: Henna brown
1971 8c Decade of Space Achievement
These stamps were issued as an attached pair to coincide with the flight of Apollo XV and to mark the 10th anniversary of John Glenn's Project Mercury flight, which sent the first man into orbit. (US Stamps #1434-1435)
Issue Date: August 2, 1971
City: Kennedy Space Center, FL and Huntsville, AL
Printing Method: Lithographed and engraved
Perforations: 11
Color: Multicolored
3) Mothers of America (1 Stamp)
Special Printing – Issued Imperforate with and without Gum
Issue Date: March 15, 1935
First City: Washington, DC
Part of the Farley’s Follies
On March 15, 1935, the US Post Office reissued 20 stamps known as “Farley’s Special Printings,” which were the result of the biggest stamp scandal of the time – “Farley’s Follies.”
The story of Farley’s Follies begins with the issue of the 1933 Newburgh Peace commemorative, Scott #727. Farley removed several first-run sheets of #727 from the printing presses before they were gummed or perforated, and autographed them. He gave these stamps to President Franklin Roosevelt, Interior Secretary Harold Ickes, the president’s secretary Louis Howe, various Post Office Department officials, and each of his children.
These ungummed and imperforate stamps were not available to the public – Farley was creating precious philatelic rarities and distributing them to his boss and friends. Needless to say, the philatelic community was outraged. However, when a New York City stamp dealer declared he had a sheet of 200 ungummed, imperforate Mother’s Day stamps signed by the postmaster general for sale, and that he had insured them for $20,000.00, the general public was upset as well. It was estimated that 160 of Farley’s special sheets had been distributed… at $20,000.00 a sheet, that meant a total value of $3,200,000.00!
A recall was suggested but deemed impossible. Finally, the Post Office came up with a solution – the reissue in sheet form of all the stamps issued since March 4, 1933, in ungummed condition, all but the first two imperforate and in sufficient numbers to satisfy public demand! These new stamps were issued on March 15, 1935.
“Farley’s Follies” were issued in large sheets that are way too big to fit in stamp albums. So many collectors snapped up blocks and pairs in a variety of formats instead. They not only fit, but these key formats are an easy way to understand the stamp printing process.
I accept cash, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
I cannot meet during the workday.
Available near Brandermill Pkwy and Old Hundred Rd, Midlothian (I cannot provide porch pickup at this location).
I can also meet weekdays between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM near Chippenham Hospital along Midlothian Turnpike.
If Hull St. and Genito Rd. are closer to you, I can arrange a porch pickup with a day's notice with advance payment (if applicable).