Dec. 7 Kelleher auction features Shartsis Mexico collection

By Charles Snee

The Jack Shartsis collection of Mexico will be offered during a Dec. 7 sale by Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions in Danbury, Conn. A total of 244 lots will be up for bids starting at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

Shartsis’ collection begins with the 1856-64 Hidalgo issues, so named because they picture Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest who led the 1810-21 Mexican War of Independence and is considered the father of Mexico.

The opening lot is a March 30, 1858, folded letter franked with a vertical bisect of the 2-real yellow green Hidalgo used as a 1r stamp (Scott 3c) that was mailed from Fresnillo to Zacatecas.

A clear strike of a boxed “FRESNILLO” handstamp ties the bisect to the cover on the left and right sides.

A 1979 expertizing certificate from the Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society International states that the cover “is genuine in all respects.”

Mexico Scott 3c is valued at $600 in the Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940.

Kelleher estimates this 1858 cover bearing a vertical bisect of the 2r yellow green Hidalgo at $300 to $400, with an opening bid of $150.

A highlight of the collection’s 1913-16 Civil War issues is a 1914 1-centavo deep blue Eagle stamp overprinted “Victoria de TORREON ABRIL 2 - 1912” in error (Scott 362a). Normal examples show the year 1914 in the overprint.

The normal “Victoria de TORREON ABRIL 2 - 1914” overprint refers to the Second Battle of Torreon, which took place March 21 to April 2, 1914. The battle was one of the significant engagements of the Mexican Revolution.

Kelleher notes that the stamp is lightly hinged with “deep, rich color” and is signed on the back by noted expert Herbert J. Bloch.

Kelleher lists this example of Scott 362a with an estimate of $800 to $1,200 and an opening bid of $400, against a Scott Classic Specialized catalog value of $2,000.

Tucked in the back-of-the-book issues in the Shartsis collection is a rare mint, never-hinged example of the 1936 20c Eagle Man airmail stamp (Scott C76A) printed on paper watermarked “SECRETARIA DE HACIENDA MEXICO” (Scott watermark 260)

Kelleher describes the stamp as “an extraordinary example of this rare airmail issue.”

Accompanying the stamp is a 1978 Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society International certificate declaring that it is “genuine in all respects and is in sound condition.”

The stamp is valued in the Scott Classic Specialized catalog at $7,500 in mint, never-hinged condition.

Kelleher lists this 1936 20c Eagle Man airmail stamp with the “SECRETARIA DE HACIENDA MEXICO” watermark with an opening bid of $1,800 and an estimate of $3,500 to $5,000.

Kelleher has prepared a single catalog for the collection that is available for viewing and download on the firm’s website, with online bidding options available on Stamp Auction Network.

For additional information, contact Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, 22 Shelter Rock Lane, Unit 53, Danbury, CT 06810.

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