Americana Stamps

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Announcing The Philatelic Icons Sale
May 16, 2026
#1789B 1979 15c Multicolor, John Paul Jones, Perforation 12, Top Left Plate Number Block of 10, Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged

Bidding Opens May 23, 2026 | Live Sessions June 26 to 28 | Preview at Boston 2026, Booth 141

We are honored to present The Philatelic Icons Sale, the largest and most significant auction Americana Stamps has ever offered. 

America’s history lives in the letters that crossed goldfields and battle lines, in express covers that linked frontier towns to the outside world, and in the stamps that mark how a young country built its postal system from scratch. This sale brings together more than 1,500 lots that trace that story, including philatelic icons seldom offered to the public. 

This auction is a natural fit for 2026, the 250th year of the United States, and for the Boston 2026 World Expo (May 23 to 30, Booth 141), the once-per-decade international exhibition where we are proud to open the sale. More than 750 lots are accompanied by Philatelic Foundation certifications, the largest concentration of certified material we have ever offered in a single sale.

#1789B 1979 15c Multicolor, John Paul Jones, Perforation 12, Top Left Plate Number Block of 10, Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged
#1789B 1979 15c Multicolor, John Paul Jones, Perforation 12, Top Left Plate Number Block of 10, Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged

Built for Collectors and Researchers Alike 

As always, the sale is designed to serve both the collector and the researcher. Whenever available, you can expect:

✔ High-resolution imagery of all aspects of the item

✔ Links to reference articles and supporting research

✔ Links to philatelic certifications

✔ Census data and population insights

✔ Provenance details to trace notable histories

Bentley's Dispatch, 10L2, Gold, Three Clear to Ample Margins, Used with Faint "Paid" Cancel and Pen Stroke
Bentley’s Dispatch, 10L2, Gold, Three Clear to Ample Margins, Used with Faint “Paid” Cancel and Pen Stroke
#11X2 1845 10c Black on Gray Lilac, St. Louis, Missouri, Type II, Position 6, Full Margins, Unused, No Gum
#11X2 1845 10c Black on Gray Lilac, St. Louis, Missouri, Type II, Position 6, Full Margins, Unused, No Gum
#313 1903 $5 Dark Green, Unused, Original Gum, Previously Hinged, Fresh Color with Well-Balanced Centering
#313 1903 $5 Dark Green, Unused, Original Gum, Previously Hinged, Fresh Color with Well-Balanced Centering
#65var 1861 3c "Lake", Vivid Impression, Used with Target Cancel
#65var 1861 3c “Lake”, Vivid Impression, Used with Target Cancel
#1610c 1979 $1 Lamp, Engraved Brown Inverted, Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged
#1610c 1979 $1 Lamp, Engraved Brown Inverted, Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged
1847 10c Black Strip of Five Used
#2 1847 10c Black, Horizontal Strip of Five, Positions 52-56L, Stickpin Variety, Cancellation Mostly Removed
An Outstanding Large Multiple of the 1847 10c Issue
Hopedale Penny Post, 84L1, (1c) Black on Pink, Unused, No Gum
Hopedale Penny Post, 84L1, (1c) Black on Pink, Unused, No Gum
Confederate States of America, Petersburg, Virginia, CSA #65X1, 5c Red, Position 1, Top Left Corner Margin, Tied on Piece by Blue Town Postmark
Confederate States of America, Petersburg, Virginia, CSA #65X1, 5c Red, Position 1, Top Left Corner Margin, Tied on Piece by Blue Town Postmark
1515 Bergamo, Republic of Venice, Italy, "Cito" Special Delivery Stampless Folded Letter to Lodi
1515 Bergamo, Republic of Venice, Italy, “Cito” Special Delivery Stampless Folded Letter to Lodi
Hartford Connecticut Mail Route, 80L1, 5c Black on Yellow, Unused with Manuscript "South" Precancel
Hartford Connecticut Mail Route, 80L1, 5c Black on Yellow, Unused with Manuscript “South” Precancel
Ricketts & Hall, 127L1, 1c Red on Bluish, Outer Circle Removed, Unused
#C15 1930 $2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin, Airmail, Left Margin Plate Block of 6, Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged
#C15 1930 $2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin, Airmail, Left Margin Plate Block of 6, Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged
American Letter Mail Co., 5L1, 5c Black, Vertical Pair and Single, Clear to Huge Margins, Tied Together by Red Brush Stroke Cancel on 1844 Folded Letter, New York to Philadelphia
American Letter Mail Co., 5L1, 5c Black, Vertical Pair and Single, Clear to Huge Margins, Tied Together by Red Brush Stroke Cancel on 1844 Folded Letter, New York to Philadelphia

Join Us in Boston

Boston 2026 will host our largest in-person preview to date. Our team will be at Booth 141 from May 23 through May 30 with the full catalog on hand for inspection. If you would like to arrange a dedicated viewing of specific lots, please reach out in advance and we will be glad to set aside time.

Key Dates

EventDate
Online catalog and bidding openMay 23, 2026
Boston 2026 in-person preview (Booth 141)May 23 to 30, 2026
Live auction sessionsJune 26 to 28, 2026

Whether you are pursuing a long-sought rarity or simply enjoy the chance to study material of this caliber, we invite you to explore The Philatelic Icons Sale and join us in Boston for our largest in-person preview to date. Be sure to Register to Bid to be notified once the sale is open for bidding.