Your Favorite US Classic Purchase Of 2016

We are getting close enough to the end of the year and I have never seen one of these threads on this site. Post away!

My favorite: A block of 10 3c 1857 Type III Scott #26, positions 56-60-66-70L9L, a pretty special item. The dealer broke it into two blocks, presumably to isolate the defect in the block of four on the left. That was a real shame, almost criminal, but I reunited them.

Not a valuable cover, but very cool to me...I live in Coopertown, TN, with no post office and we were a DPO in 1905. Haven't found anyone with a Coopertown cover in 7 years looking, but found one online a few weeks ago. Would still love to find one with a post-war 3c 1861, but there may not even be one that exists, but this 3c 1857 will definitely do for me:

sinclair2010 & ray.mac, I think these are great!

Of the three US items I purchased this year, this is the best. Its supposed to be a first printing and was referred to me as "seal brown". I don't know any seals, so I call it brown.

World Stamp Show pick.

US Scott #12. Not my favorite purchase this year, but was my most "gratifying" because it was the last stamp I needed to finish the first page of my USA collection. There are no more spots in my SAFE album on page 1, so despite the fact that I have no Scott 3,4,5,6, or 17... I officially have decided to move on with my goal in year 2017-- page 2!

I internet bid on 2 other scott 12's over summer before I finally won this one at auction this fall. I have a tendency to prefer stamps balanced with centering left/right much more than top bottom. That is why this one caught my eye.

Hungary,

I like your brown stamp US 1 very much. Scott 1 from the earlier deliveries are personally my favorite due to the detailed impressions. I'm surprised Scott catalog doesn't show a higher value for these earlier browns compared to mid/late delivery red browns that are relatively "faded". I have no idea how to tell the difference between seal browns, chocolate browns, etc. Only super human Bill Gross can figure that out

rg

rg, gorgeous #12. I hope the cert is clean.

Here's mine: 72-73-74R12 (#20, Type II) on cover, all with double transfers.

Dudley,

Nice cover. I need a Scott 20 for my collection. I have 18,22,24 and 24 type Va You got 3 well-centered on cover with DT!!
Inspiration for next year for me to find a Scott 20. Are those stamps on cover considered "tied" to cover? I don't collect covers. And yes, cert on Scott 12 above is clean.

Rg

Scott 656 2c Electric Light line pair:

Beautiful line pair, Scott 656, you have there! I need one of those.

Really a very quiet year for me. I did however obtain this plate 1L double transfer, position 44L.

It's a very tough call... But probably this, a pig of a beat up cover.. but... First 24c I have ever seen going to Madeira and the exchange office marking? That'd be Chicago.

I got this cover just in time to include it in my exhibit for NY2016:
http://12c.cgpostal.com/

chipg,

that cover is no joke…. congrats on obtaining it. doubtful anyone here can top that!! Scott 72 on cover is a true rarity. Very impressed

rg

Chip…

and if you can share some backstory on that cover (at your convenience), I think it would be a great informational thread here at SCF. Would love to know more about it.