Sale 932 — The Scarsdale Collection, Part 4: Washington-Franklin Issues
Sale Date — Friday, 30 March, 2007
Category — 1913-15 Issue (Scott 425 to 440)
2c Rose Red, Ty. I (425). Mint N.H. with bottom right corner selvage with siderographer's initials, brilliant color on bright paper, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
3c Reddish Violet, Pink Back (426 var). Mint N.H., vibrant color on brilliant paper, strong Pink Back, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem example of this shade variety which is also a Pink Back, with 1994 and 2004 P.F. certificates which inexplicably do not note the Pink Back
4c Brown (427). Mint N.H., radiant color on post-office fresh paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
5c Blue (428). Mint N.H., lively color on bright paper, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1998 P.F. certificate
6c Red Orange (429). Mint N.H., dazzling color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 1998 P.F. certificate
7c Black (430). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at top, intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1981 and 1999 P.F. certificates
8c Pale Olive Green (431). Mint N.H., pretty shade, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 and 2004 P.F. certificates
8c Olive Green (431 var). Mint N.H., pretty shade, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine example of this sub-shade, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate
9c Salmon Red (432). Mint N.H., vibrant color on post-office fresh paper, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1987 and 2000 P.F. certificates
10c Orange Yellow (433). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with wide margins, tiny natural inclusion not mentioned on accompanying certificates, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates
11c Dark Green (434). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression nicely contrasted by bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 1987 and 2000 P.F. certificates
12c Claret Brown (435). Mint N.H., deep rich color which should really be classified as the Deep Claret Brown sub-shade, proof-like impression on crisp paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 12-CENT PERF 10 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE. ONE OF ONLY TWO EXAMPLE TO BE AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2003 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00)
12c Claret Brown (435). Mint N.H., pretty shade, huge margins, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
12c Deep Claret Brown (435). Mint N.H., intense shade in marked contrast to the previous lot, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine example of this sub-shade, light pencil notation on gum, with 1999 P.F. certificate
12c Copper Red (435a). Mint N.H., beautiful color in the true Copper Red shade, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
15c Gray (437). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, perfectly centered with unusually wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 15-CENT GRAY PERF 10 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED ISSUE. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE. IT HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE, AND IS THE ONLY ONE AWARDED THIS GRADE.
With 1991 and 2000 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ in any grade higher than 98, SMQ $6,000.00 as 98). The next-highest grade in the P.S.E. population Report is 95.
20c Ultramarine (438). Mint N.H., bright color on post-office fresh paper, choice centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp of extraordinary freshness, with 2004 P.F. certificate
30c Orange Red (439). Mint N.H. with bottom right corner selvage with siderographer's initials, vivid color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL CORNER-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1914 PERF 10 ISSUE ON WATERMARKED PAPER.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
50c Violet (440). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED 50-CENT PERF 10 FRANKLIN ISSUE IN WHAT IS PROBABLY THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2002 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $16,400.00). Only one other has achieved this grade, which is the highest awarded to date.