Lot 550 Vatican City #14, B1; Italy #C42. 1933 (May 27), Graf Zeppelin Flight, Vatican City despatch, picture postcard to Rome, franked 25c on 30c Crossed Keys and 25c+10c green semi-postal, each tied by “Città del Vaticano” c.d.s. (27 May), additionally franked with Italy 3L Zeppelin Flight adhesive, tied by Roma c.d.s. (29 May), blue “Posta Aerea / Italiana / Dirigible / Graf Zeppelin / 1933” handstamped cachet, reverse a photo of a pilot, postmarked with Roma / Crociera Zeppelin transit datestamp, scarce and very fine. (Vatican Sc. #14, B1; Italy Sc. #C42; Sieger #208Va). Sold for C$225.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Graf Zeppelin
Announcing Our Spring 2025 Postal History Auction
This sale offers a diverse range of material, including:
- Asia – with scarce frankings and unusual usages from China, Japan, Manchukuo, and Thailand.
- British Commonwealth – from pre-stamp through King George VI, with a strong emphasis on Victorian-era India.
- Canada & British North America – covering early manuscript markings to Second World War military mail.
- Europe – featuring sought-after classic France and German States postal history.
- Latin America – highlighting elusive material from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and beyond.
- United States – including stampless covers, Civil War mail, illustrated advertising, Exposition covers, and more.
- Zeppelins & Airships – with a desirable selection of Graf Zeppelin material and worldwide first flights.
This sale is now available for viewing and advance bidding on Stamp Auction Network and Philasearch. We will also welcome bidders on the floor (and by telephone) at our offices in Ottawa, Canada on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 starting at 10:00AM Eastern time.
Lot 1256, United States 1930 Graf Zeppelin flown postcard and cover, Pan-America round trip flight
Lot 1256 United States 1930 Graf Zeppelin Flown Post Card and Cover from the Pan-America Round Trip Flight, includes a postcard franked with C13 (the 65c green Zeppelin Stamp) flown from Lakehurst to Friedrichshafen, and a cover franked with C14 (the $1.30 brown Zeppelin stamp) also flown Lakehurst to Friedrichshafen. Scott catalogue value for both stamps used on cover is $535. Note some minor edge faults on the card, else both very fine. Frost CV$2,850.
Sale 35 Winter 2021
NB February 8th, 2021: We are pleased to confirm that this auction will take place February 16-18, 2021.
Welcome to Sparks Auctions’ Sale 35. For the last several months we have been preparing this sale, and we believe the results shown here showcase our hard work, diverse philatelic knowledge, and passion for the hobby.
At Sparks Auctions the property of our consignors is of the utmost importance. Our aim is first and foremost that every consignment whether a single stamp or several cartons obtains the highest realization. Our lotting decisions, careful descriptions and numerous high-quality scans speak volumes about the care we take in our work. This is why we are receiving more and more consignments not only from estates, but more importantly from collectors, who want their treasures handled in the most professional and lucrative way.
Our auction listing on Stamp Auction Network includes more than 10,000 high quality scans or pictures. A PDF of the auction catalogue can be downloaded here on our site. You can also find posted corrections, additional photos, and full details on pre-auction viewing, the daily auction sessions and details about shipping or picking up your winnings.
This is the first of three sales we are preparing for the first half of 2021. We are confident it will provide you with nice new material for your collections or dealer stock. Some of the interesting items offered in this sale include:
• A worldwide collection in 228 albums, offered by country or area
• Retired postal history dealer worldwide stock including many Graf Zeppelin flights, censor mail, etc.
• A great offering of worldwide first day covers
• Part 2 (post 1959) of the Jan van der Ven Canadian First Day cover collection
• Extensive collection of Large Queen stamps, postmarks and postal history including mixed frankings
• Extensive collection of Karl Lewis hand-painted covers
• One of our best offerings to date of Newfoundland stamps, essays and proofs
• Extensive and rare offering of Newfoundland Cents Issue postal history from a “Western Holding”
• An outstanding offering of early Canadian air mail postal history and stamps with many very rare items.
Confidential bidding before the auction can be done in many ways: by entering bids directly in SAN; by sending us your bids by phone, email, or fax; or by using the services of one of the agents listed in our catalogue. As a reminder, all of our sales are conducted in Canadian dollars, and our buyer’s premium remains at an industry low of 17%.
Sparks Auctions is doing its utmost to keep its staff and customers safe during the worldwide pandemic, and we have posted our COVID-19 protocols in our offices and online. Sale 35 will be conducted without a public floor, and bidding during the auction will be possible in one of two ways, the best being through our usual live internet bidding on Stamp Auction Network. We also offer live bidding by telephone, but this will be limited to ensure a high-quality experience for participants. Please contact us early if this is a method you prefer.
From the Office
The Sparks Auctions team is pleased to welcome Peter MacDonald as its General Manager. He joins Auction Manager Stéphane Cloutier in the overall management of the firm, and takes up his role in mid-December. “Peter brings a background in philately and significant executive experience. Our clients have come to expect the highest integrity and attention to detail in their dealings with us,” said Sparks President Ian Kimmerly. “With Stephane and Peter leading our dedicated and skilled team, navigating the current market and planning for a bright future, we know our consignors, bidders and buyers will benefit greatly.”
Need a Gift Idea?
Are you looking for that perfect, last-minute philatelic gift for a friend or family member? We have the answer – a Sparks Auctions Gift Certificate/Card for any amount on future purchases from Sparks Auctions. Contact Kate by email or telephone to order one or more today, and we will send an easy-to-print PDF to you in time for the holidays.
Enjoy the Sale!
Stéphane Cloutier
Auction Manager,
Sparks Auctions
Lot 229, United States 1930 $1.30 brown Graf Zeppelin, XF NH, sold for C$5,382
Lot 229 United States #C14 1930 $1.30 Brown Graf Zeppelin, mint never hinged, fresh and extremely fine. Accompanied by a 1997 Philatelic Foundation certificate and a 2010 PSE certificate grading it at their superlative grade “Gem 100, Mint OGnh” (only nine stamps have been given that grade). SMQ for Gem 100 is $7,500. Rsv. $3,500. From The Outaouais Collection. Scott CV U$550, sold for C$4,600.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
