Alfred H. Caspary Collection. The classic reference of 16 H.R. Harmer auction catalogs, 1955-1958, complete with prospectus and prices realized. The quality black and white illustrations are huge, especially by the standards of the time – rarities are enlarged well beyond 100%. There are luminary forewords such as that of George B. Sloane for Sale 1 of U.S. Provisional issues (Note near the end of Sloanes foreword that both the Madison Florida and Tuscumbia Alabama provisionals were then considered U.S. but Kaufmann research has since proven them to be 3¢ 1861 provisionals), as well as Sale 8 of Carriers and Locals.  Dr. Carroll Chase wrote the foreword for the U.S. general issues - Part 1, Vincent Graves Greene for the BNA offerings, Lawrence L. Shenfield for the Confederates general issues, and far more worldwide philatelic celebrities. Sale 10 with Hawaii and Confederate general issues sports the signature of the legendary John R. Boker, his personal copy with penciled annotations of some prices paid and who acquired them (Raymond Weill, Ezra Cole, etc.). There is one clipped-out photo of a sheet margin 10¢ rose lithograph tied on piece by an Ashland, Va., postmark described as probably the best in existence. Earl A. Weatherly signed the Confederate provisionals catalog and gave it to his friend, William Boyst. There are marks and small faults here and there, but this is a worthy complete set from one of the all-time greats of stamp collecting. $250.

Alfred H. Caspary (1877–1955) formed one of the greatest stamp collections in philatelic history. His huge collection was sold by H. R. Harmer, Inc of New York City in a series of 16 sales between 1955 and 1958. Although it consisted of world classics, it was particularly noted for exceptional U.S. and Confederate postmaster provisionals. Auction records abounded. Caspary was a founder and member of the Expert Committee of the Philatelic Foundation, as well as an advisor to the Expert Committee of the Royal Philatelic Society London. He graces the APS Hall of Fame.