Sale 951 — The Tahoe Collection of Superb Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 27 February, 2008
Category — Postmasters
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Enormous margins all around incl. significant portion of adjoining stamp at left, intense shade and proof-like impression, red circular datestamp cancel at bottom left and single blue penstrokeEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ARGUABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL IN EXISTENCE. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN TERMS OF MARGINS, IMPRESSION, CLARITY OF SIGNATURE, CANCELLATION, AND OVERALL FRESHNESS.
Ex Hinrichs. With 1999 and 2004 P.F. certificates. The P.S.E is no longer grading Postmasters' Provisionals, but if they were we are confident this would achieve the highest grade.
New York N.Y., 5c Black on Blue, "ACM" Initials (9X2). Large margins all around, sharp proof-like impression on deep blue paper, blue pen cancelEXTREMELY FINE. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON BLUE WOVE PAPER. THIS IS THE ONLY SOUND EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN ALMOST TEN YEARS.
In The New York Postmaster's Provisional, Stanley Piller cites Luff's statement that the last printing of the New York provisional took place on January 7, 1847, when 100 sheets were delivered. Piller also conveys Philip Wall's belief that most if not all of the stamps on Gray (Scott 9X3) and Blue (Scott 9X2) papers come from this last printing, as all the known covers are used after that date.
As an indication of rarity, this is only the second example we have offered in four years. The other was defective and on cover. The stamp offered here is the second sound example we have offered since the Zoellner pair in October 1998. A search of the P.F.'s records reveals that they have certified only six sound stamps off cover and one sound copy on cover.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Gray Lilac (11X5). Type III (Position 6), large even margins all around, cancelled by single penstroke and trace of handstamp at bottom left which leaves the entire design clearly visible, crisp impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GRAY LILAC PAPER IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
Ex Vineyard. With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates