Sale 1028 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Three: 1902 and Later Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 20 September, 2012
Category — 1914 Perf 12 x 10 Issue and Perf 10 x 12 Issue (Scott 423A-423D)
1c Green, Perf 12 x 10 (423A). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issue, bold strike of Chicago oval registry cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE WITH A HANDSTAMPED CANCELLATION.
Our census of Scott 423A, available from our website at: http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/423A/423A.pdf , contains 35 used singles, five used pairs, the unique used block of four and three covers (one with a pair). Of these, only thirteen singles, five pairs, the block and the covers have cancels applied in the mails and not a precancel. Only the example offered here and one other (Census No. 423A-CAN-PCE-23, ex Zoellner) could be considered well-centered.
Census No. 423A-CAN-16. With 1974 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
2c Rose Red, Ty. I, Perf 12 x 10 (423B). Brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering for this difficult issue, unobtrusive strike of 1915 duplex cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS ONE OF THE TOP FIVE EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1914 2-CENT PERF 12 x 10 ISSUE.
Our census of Scott 423B, available at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/423B/423B.pdf , records 31 used and one unused example of this great rarity. A significant portion of the surviving population has small faults or is off-center. Several copies listed in our census as sound have not been examined in some time, and their condition needs to be confirmed. Including the unverified copies as sound, the example offered here still ranks among the finest copies.
Census No. 423B-CAN-21. With 1973 P.F. certificate.
5c Blue, Perf 12 x 10 (423C). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issue with wide margins, face-free cork cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE WITHOUT A PRECANCEL. THE 1914 5-CENT PERF 12 x 10 ISSUE IS ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ISSUES.
Our census of Scott 423C, available at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/423C/423C.pdf , contains 25 used examples. Of these only eleven are sound or potentially sound -- five have not been examined in many years and may have faults. Of the six confirmed sound copies, only four could be considered centered (nos. 3, 5, 14 and the example offered here). One has a precancel (no. 5). The margins on the example offered here are slightly more balanced than the others.
Census No. 423C-CAN-20. This stamp originally formed a pair with another in our census. Ex Lyons. Signed George Sloane. With 1997 P.F. certificate as pair.
1c Green, Perf 10 x 12 (423D). Rich color and proof-like impression, neat wavy-line machine cancel, completely soundFINE-VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO CONFIRMED SOUND USED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1914 ONE-CENT PERF 10 x 12 ISSUE WITHOUT PRECANCEL. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
Our census of Scott 423D, available at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/423D/423D.pdf , contains 41 stamps. All are used. Only four do not have precancels, including one which has never been certified and one which has not been seen in a very long time (it has P.F. certificate no. 8701). Therefore, this is one of two confirmed sound examples of this issue without a precancel.
Census No. 423D-CAN-09. With 1999 P.F. certificate.