Sale 1094 — The Curtis Collection: Back of Book and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 March, 2015
Category — Special Delivery (Scott E1-E17)
10c Blue, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E1P1). Die sunk on 217 x 138mm card, bright and fresh, Very Fine, ex Chesapeake
10c Blue, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E2P1). Die sunk on 212 x 138mm card, Very Fine, ex Chesapeake
10c Orange, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E3P1). Die sunk on 216 x 138mm card, bright color, Very Fine, ex Chesapeake
10c Blue, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E4P1). Die sunk on 200 x 150mm card, quite fresh, Very Fine, ex Chesapeake
20c Black, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E14P1). Die sunk on 200 x 150mm card, approved and signed by Harry S. New, blue control number 1326115 on reverse, card with trivial corner mounting bends, the proof itself is Very Fine and rare, ex Chesapeake
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Bottom right corner imprint and plate no. 496 block of eight, stamps Mint N.H., two h.r. in selvage only, well-centered, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 1885 FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) are extremely rare in plate block form. We believe the 1885 Issue, E1, is the rarest of the group with perhaps 5-7 known (including one pane). This plate block with all Mint N.H. stamps is easily one of the finest of the few extant. In addition, this is the only imprint and plate number block to appear in Power Search.
Ex Todd and Wampler. With 1998 P.F. certificate
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Neatly cancelled, deep intense color and impression, huge margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $350.00), two share this grade and two grade higher
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Original gum, beautiful centering and almost perfectly balanced margins, choice color and clear impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00)
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Top right corner imprint and plate no. 552 block of ten, comprising the top two rows of the right pane, original gum, stamps not hinged but some reinforced perf separations between positions 8 and 9 (tiny piece of margin reattached there at bottom), rich color, wide margins with intact perfs at bottom and beautifully centered, natural inclusion top right stampVERY FINE AND CHOICE LARGE FORMAT IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 1888 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) is rare in plate block form. There are perhaps ten known of the 1888 Issue, E2.
Scott Retail as hinged plate block and singles
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Top imprint and plate no. 552 block of eight, lightly hinged, some rejoined and separated perfs, sealed tear in position 6, Fine-Very Fine appearance, a presentable and more affordable example of this rare plate block
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, gum crease visible on front in cross-lighting (not mentioned on accompanying certificates), still Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00), this is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Bottom left corner imprint and plate no. 552 block of ten, representing the bottom two rows of the left pane, original gum, barely hinged (appears Mint N.H. at a glance), vibrant color, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY RARE LARGE FORMAT IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT 1893 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.
Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) is rare in plate block form. There are perhaps a dozen known of the 1893 Issue, Scott E3, which is an extension of the Columbian Issue commemoratives. Power Search located only two other examples, and one of those is faulty.
Ex Wampler. Scott Retail as plate block and singles
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Original gum, lightly hinged, flawless centering with huge Jumbo margins, striking deep color on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 FIRST BUREAU UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
Ex Merlin. With 1992 and 2002 P.F. certificates, the former as a block of four. With 2003 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $5,000.00). One other shares this grade and one grades higher.
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Original gum, wide margins, intensely rich color and sharp impression, Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate (90 XQ)
10c Dark Blue, Special Delivery (E4 var). Bottom imprint and plate no. 77 block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, some perf separations in selvage and between pos. 6 and 7VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. VERY FEW PLATE BLOCKS ARE KNOWN.
Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) is rare in plate block form. There are perhaps a dozen known of the 1894 Issue, E4. Only one plate number was used for this issue -- Plate 77.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E5). Mint N.H., outstanding centering, wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,800.00), only one grades higher
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E5). Bottom imprint and plate no. 77 block of six, original gum, left stamps Mint N.H., others lightly hinged, rich color, well-centered, light pre-printing paper fold thru positions 4-5, reinforced perf separations in selvage not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine example of this scarce plate block, with 1999 P.F. certificate
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Wide margins and choice centering, lightly hinged in one corner, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Merlin, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $550.00)
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Top imprint and plate no. 1776 block of six, h.r. slivers in selvage and in corners of stamps reinforcing some perf separations, deep color, crease thru position 1 and top left selvage, otherwise Very Fine
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E8). Left imprint and plate no. 5514 block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., top pair h.r., intense color, natural gum bend, Fine
10c Ultramarine (E9). Mint N.H., exceptionally wide margins, choice centering, remarkably fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00).
10c Ultramarine (E9). Mint N.H. top plate no. 5854 block of six, exceptional centering throughout, top row with particularly wide margins, a few minor gum skips, Extremely Fine
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Wide margins, fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $500.00)
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Top imprint and plate no. 5520 block of six, Mint N.H. (hinged in the ungummed selvage only), well-centered and freshVERY FINE. A SCARCE AND ATTRACTIVE TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 1916 PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, SCOTT E10.
Ex Weisman. With 1989 P.F. certificate
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Bottom imprint and plate no. 5520 block of six, narrow selvage, lightly hinged, bright and fresh, Fine-Very Fine, a scarce plate block, with 1981 P.F. certificate
