Greenwood collection of U.S. imperf coils featured in Sept. 19 Kelleher auction

Sep 7, 2023, 7 AM

By Charles Snee

The extensive collection of United States imperforate error coil stamps formed by retired dentist John Greenwood will be offered Sept. 19 by Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions at its headquarters in Danbury, Conn.

The sale, which comprises 334 lots, will be held in one session commencing at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

“Beyond his family and career, Dr. Greenwood is an avid stamp collector,” Kelleher said in a brief biography of Greenwood in its catalog for the sale.

“This lifelong hobby started when he was just 8 years old, initially driven by his mother’s encouragement,” Kelleher said.

“Over the years, his collection expanded to include plate number coils and imperforate coil errors,

gaining recognition as one of the first collectors to pursue these rarities. Throughout his journey, Dr. Greenwood not only found joy in collecting stamps but also built lasting friendships with fellow collectors and dealers, making it a truly rewarding experience.”

The sale opens with imperf coils from the era of the 1954-73 Liberty series.

First to cross the auction block is a mint, never-hinged precanceled joint line strip of four of the 1960 1¼¢ coil (Scott 1054Ad for an imperf pair) picturing the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, N.M. All examples of Scott 1054Ad are precanceled “SEATTLE WASH.” in two lines.

According to Kelleher, the joint line strip of four, which is illustrated on the cover of the catalog for the Greenwood collection, comes from the original discovery strip of 13.

Kelleher lists this imperf joint line strip of four of the 1960 1¼¢ coil with an estimate of $7,500 to $10,000.

Also pictured on the cover of the sale catalog is a mint, never-hinged imperf plate number strip of six of the 1990 $1 Seaplane coil (Scott 2468a for an imperf pair). A small “1” is visible in the bottom margin of the third stamp from the left in the strip.

“Only 67 imperf $1 Seaplanes have been recorded — 54 of them unused,” Kelleher said in its lot description. “This is the only plate number piece among them.”

Kelleher estimates this remarkable plate number strip of six of Scott 2468a at $7,500 to $10,000.

A mint imperf pair of the $1 Seaplane coil is valued at $1,750 in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers.

Kelleher has prepared a single catalog for the Greenwood U.S. imperforate coils auction 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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