Sale 1093 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. 20th Century and Air Post
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 23-24 February, 2015
Category — 1912-14 Issue (Scott 405-423)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
251
7c Black (407). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 7-CENT BLACK, SCOTT 407, HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Merlin. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,600.00). Only two others share this grade, which is the highest awarded to any unused Scott 407
160
2,600
252
7c Black (407). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6904 block of six with narrow selvage, intense shade and impression, few natural gum creases, Extremely Fine, scarce plate block
2,000
900
Back to Top253
7c Black (407). Precise centering with wide margins, intense shade, neat oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $525.00), only two have graded higher (at 98J) and no others share this grade, this Perf 12 7c issue was only in use for five months before the new Perf 10 stamps were issued (Scott 430), this accounts for their rarity in higher grades in both unused and used condition
14
550
Back to Top254
1c Green, Kansas City Roulette (408 var). Right plate no. 6018 block of six, original gum, h.r., rich color, two with small thin spots, Very Fine appearance, a scarce plate block, Scott Catalogue and other sources note that in late 1914 the Post Office in Kansas City Mo. had on hand a stock of imperforate sheets originally intended for use in vending machines, the postmaster, W. N. Collins, sent some clerks to the local dry goods store where they bought 15 inexpensive dressmaker's tracing wheels, each wheel was slightly different, the earliest documented use of either is Oct. 22, 1914 (the 1c), they were taken off of sale on January 14, 1915, nine days after official approval was given, large purple backstamp, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
E. 300-400
400
Back to Top255
1c Green, Vertical Imperforate Coil (408V). Tied by "Ogdenburg, N.Y., May 17 1912" duplex on picture postcard, this is the earliest document use, stamp was affixed by the Simplex device which is unusual for a private correspondence, Very Fine, ex Berkun, with 2004 A.P.S. certificate
E. 500-750
600
Back to Top256
2c Carmine, Horizontal Imperforate Coil (409H). Miscut by affixing device, tied by "Madison Sq. Sta., N.Y., Dec 17 1914" machine cancel on cover to Alfred, Maine, cover with slight aging and insignificant edge flaws, Fine appearance, when this was offered in the 2006 Berkun sale it was the only recorded example on cover, since then one other has been found (Apr. 12, 1913 use), with 2000 A.P.S. certificate identifying it as the earliest documented use
E. 1,000-1,500
1,000
Back to Top257
2c Carmine, Vertical Imperforate Coil (409V). Guide line pair at bottom of strip of eight, rich color, New York duplex cancels, top six stamps with light creases, top stamp with small thin spot, Fine appearance, rare used multiple, with 2001 P.F. certificate
E. 300-400
275
Back to Top258
2c Carmine, Vertical Imperforate Coil (409V). Affixed by Simplex device, tied by "Chicago, Ill., May 29 1912" machine cancel on cover to Washington, D.C. (May 31 backstamp), this is the earliest documented use, cover with Rock Island Lines railroad corner card, edge faults to cover not affecting adhesive, Fine appearance, ex Berkun, with 2004 A.P.S. certificate
E. 400-500
350
Back to Top259
1c Green, Coil (410). Tied by "Chicago Ill. Apr. 17, 1912 7-00 PM" machine cancel on illustrated postcard depicting Chicago, addressed to College Hill O., minor corner bends, Very Fine, the earliest documented use of Scott 410, ex Berkun, with 2000 A.P.S. certificate
E. 400-500
500
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1c-2c 1912 Coils (411-413). Mint N.H. guide line strips of four, fresh colors, Fine, Nos. 412-413 with 2001 P.F. certificates
1,355
250
Back to Top261
1c Green, Coil (412). Mint N.H. guide line pair, beautifully centered, deep rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1995 P.S.E. and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
260
650
Back to Top262
2c Carmine, Coil (413). Guide line pair, brilliant color on crisp paper, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1994 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $1,000.00)
275
325
Back to Top263
2c Carmine, Coil (413). Huge margins and outstanding centering, bright color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $275.00)
25
140
Back to Top264
P
8c Olive Green, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proof on Wove (414P2a). Large margins, bright color, Very Fine and choice, scarce as only 3-5 were produced
1,200
500
Back to Top265
8c Pale Olive Green (414). Bottom imprint, plate no. 5719 and letter "A" block of six with wide selvage, pretty shade, four stamps Mint N.H., Extremely Fine, an attractive plate block, with 2004 P.F. certificate
485
250
Back to Top266
9c Salmon Red (415). Radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, bright paper, unobtrusive strike of oval registry cancel, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $525.00), this is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade, the next-highest graded used copy is a 95
14
700
Back to Top267
10c Orange Yellow (416). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide perfectly balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,750.00), this is the second highest grade awarded to date (two at 98J), and only two others shares this grade
100
1,400
Back to Top268
10c Orange Yellow (416). Bottom imprint, plate no. 5764 and letter "A" block of six, top center stamp lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., unusually wide selvage, radiant color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
825
425
Back to Top269
12c Claret Brown (417). Mint N.H., intense shade and crisp impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Merlin, with 1986 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
100
550
Back to Top270
12c Claret Brown (417). Jumbo margins and superb centering, deep rich color on fresh paper, long and full perforations, oval registry cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking and spectacular stamp, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $450.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no other used examples, the next highest used grade is 95
5
1,100
Back to Top271
15c Gray (418). Top imprint, plate no. 5771 and letter "A" block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., some slight overall toning, otherwise Fine
930
180
Back to Top272
15c Gray (418). Jumbo margins and perfect centering, intense shade on bright paper which is nicely contrasted by a bold "S" in oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $500.00 as 98), this is one of only four stamps to have achieved this grade, which is the highest awarded
4
375
Back to Top273
20c Ultramarine (419). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 6920 block of six with narrow selvage, rich color on bright paper, Fine-Very Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate
3,500
5,000
Back to Top274
30c Orange Red (420). Mint N.H., gorgeous color, with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Liberman, with 1986 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00)
250
1,000
Back to Top275
30c Orange Red (420). Mint N.H., wide balanced margins, lovely bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00)
250
950
Back to Top276
30c Orange Red (420). Top plate no. 6911 block of six with wide selvage, radiant color, Very Fine and choice, a pretty plate block
1,450
2,300
Back to Top277
30c Orange Red (420). Perfectly centered with wide margins, beautiful fiery color on bright paper, struck only by rim of cancelling device, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $700.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
19
950
Back to Top278
50c Violet (421). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 421 HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONLY THREE OTHERS SHARE THIS EXALTED GRADE.
With 1984 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $8,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only three others share this grade. This statistic has not changed in five years.
775
7,000
Back to Top279
50c Violet (421). Top plate no. 7057 block of six with wide selvage, lightly hinged, pretty shade, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE TOP PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 50-CENT PERF 12 WITH SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK.
As a measure of rarity, the Wampler collection had a hinged top plate block, and the Fogelson collection did not have a Scott 421 plate block (both Shreves sales). Our sale of the MLG collection also did not contain one. The only examples contained in Power Search are from the left position (7049, offered in Sale 1078), another left position (7940, offered in 2006) and from the top position (7057, offered in our 2014 Rarities sale)
10,000
12,000
Back to Top280
50c Violet (421). Jumbo margins and wonderfully well-centered, rich color on bright white paper, oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $350.00 as 95, $950.00 as 98)
30
350
Back to Top281
50c Violet (421). Beautiful centering and bright fresh color, tied by "Auburn N.Y. Feb. 10, 1935" machine cancel on European size cover to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Very Fine, late but appropriate use of this scarce 50c Franklin, ex Siskin and Martin, Scott Retail $2,000.00 on cover
E. 1,000-1,500
0
Back to Top282
50c Violet (422). Lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $550.00)
225
425
Back to Top283
50c Violet (422). Top imprint, plate no. 5749 and letter "A" block of six, lightly hinged, rich colorVERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT PERF 12 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARKED ISSUE.
We have offered only four other top position plate blocks of Scott 422 since keeping computerized records, each of which was hinged. We have also offered two from the bottom position, with narrow selvage.
With 1985 P.F. certificate
4,750
5,750
Back to Top284
50c Violet (422). Pretty shade, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, neat cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $600.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and no others share it
25
1,000
Back to Top285
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00 as 95, $1,750.00 as 98)
475
1,000
Back to Top286
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Wide top imprint, plate no. 5782 and letter "A" block of six, lightly hinged, deep rich color, fresh and intactEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE $1.00 1912 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARKED FRANKLIN ISSUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Scott 423 was printed from a single plate, which had plate numbers at top and bottom. This is one of the rarest of the Washington-Franklin Issue plate blocks. Lewis Kaufman records nine top and two bottom plate blocks.
Ex Grunin and Wampler
15,000
12,500
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