2017-10-25 Wed

The H.R. Harmer Auction Firm will be offering US, British Commonwealth and worldwide stamps, covers and collections, along with Spanish Philippines and U.S. territories and possessions from 26th to 26th October at the Hilton Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, Calif.

One of the highlights includes an error stamp from the Falkland Islands issued in 1964. The stamp has a set of four engraved bi-colours. Each has a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at upper right, and a different black vignette for all the four denominations.

The 6-penny blue and black stamp generally features HMS Kent. The offered error stamp instead features HMS Glasgow that should actually appear in black on the 2½d stamp from the same set.

One sheet of 60 stamps was printed with an incorrect vignette. 17 to 25 examples of the error stamps exist today. The market value of this stamp is $32,500. The offered stamp is called post office fresh, never hinged and “choice very fine,” with a starting price of $20,000.

Another highlight is a full set of the six Pan-American Exposition commemoratives on a first-day registered mail cover, to Finland and postmarked May 1, 1901. 15 such covers are known to exist. The offered cover is the only one addressed to Finland and was recently found in Europe according to the auction house. Such a cover has a market value of $30,000 but this one has a starting price of $15,000.