Sale 1205 — 2019 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 26 June, 2019
Category — 1908-15 Issues
13c Purple Black (308). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY PROFESSIONAL STAMP EXPERTS. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING CHART.
Ex Dr. Morris, "Westchester" and Merlin. With 1990 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $5,750.00 as 100). This is the highest grade possible on the grading chart and the only example to achieve it.
50c Orange (310). Mint N.H., absolutely perfect centering within very wide margins, striking vibrant color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1902 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO ANY MINT NEVER-HINGED SCOTT 310 BY PROFESSIONAL STAMP EXPERTS.
Anyone who has been building a gem, never-hinged set of the 1902 Issue will immediately recognize the rarity of the 50c value in such superlative quality. It is one of the most challenging of the series to find both never-hinged and with perfect centering. This is confirmed by the fact that out of 53 never-hinged examples of Scott No. 310 submitted to P.S.E. for grading, only this example achieved the lofty grade of Superb 98. Quite likely this is the finest never-hinged example in existence.
With 1998 P.F., 2010 P.S.E. and 2014 P.S.A.G. certificates (latter two grading Superb 98; SMQ $23,500.00)
$1.00 Black (311). Lightly hinged, intense shade and impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL JUMBO-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1902 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
According to Johl, this is the highest denomination of the set that actually served postal needs. It was used for foreign-bound packages weighing almost the acceptable limit.
Ex Merlin. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $2,850.00). This is the sole example of this issue to attain this grade in any condition category.
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on deeply blued paper, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION, THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT BLUISH PAPER IN EXISTENCE. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
The Bluish paper stamps were made as part of an experiment to correct problems with paper shrinkage and spoilage. The existence of this stamp with such superb centering and huge margins is truly remarkable.
Ex Merlin. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $7,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded (one other shares this grade, we have never offered it).
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Rich color on deeply blued paper, typical centering for this difficult issueFRESH AND FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
The June 1910 Third Assistant Postmaster General’s report states that 4,400 (eleven sheets) of the 4c were printed on Bluish Paper. It is believed that none of the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps were distributed to post offices, and that all of the examples in collectors’ hands reached the market through the Travers-Steinmetz exchange and the 1914 National Museum trades to H. F. Colman (12 copies) and Nassau Stamp Company (65 copies).
With 1979 and 2002 P.F. certificates
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Lightly hinged, intense color on deeply blued paper, attractive margins for this difficult issueFRESH AND FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
The June 1910 Third Assistant Postmaster General’s report states that 4,000 (ten sheets) of the 8c were printed on Bluish Paper. It is believed that none of the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps were distributed to post offices, and that all of the examples in collectors’ hands reached the market through the Travers-Steinmetz exchange and the 1914 National Museum trades to H. F. Colman (12 copies) and Nassau Stamp Company (65 copies).
Ex Hetherington ("Quality" collection). With copy of 1957 P.F. certificate for a block of four, this the top left stamp
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Exceptionally well-centered, fresh color, lightly cancelledEXTREMELY FINE. A PARTICULARLY CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT BLUISH PAPER ISSUE.
Ex Helton. With 1978 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,500.00). Only three grade higher with two equal
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., from the top right corner of the sheet with full 23mm corner selvage, the stamp itself is perfectly centered with long full perforations all around, rich color, remarkably freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTRAORDINARY 15-CENT BLUISH PAPER -- POST-OFFICE FRESH, PERFECTLY CENTERED, MINT NEVER-HINGED AND WITH FULL CORNER SHEET MARGINS. IN OUR EXPERIENCE, THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE FINEST-QUALITY BLUISH PAPER STAMP IN EXISTENCE.
The 4c and 8c stamps are correctly recognized as the rarest of the Bluish Paper issue, but they were never sold over the post office counter and used by the public. Of the values that were regularly issued, the 5c is the rarest, followed by the 13c, and then by the 15c, 10c, 6c and 3c (the 1c and 2c are common). If Mint Never-Hinged stamps are isolated from the supply available to collectors, the rarity factors increase significantly for all of the values. The 15c is extremely rare in well-centered Mint N.H. condition.
This Mint Never-Hinged stamp, with full corner sheet margins and perfect centering, is not just the finest 15c Bluish Paper example we can locate in our extensive records -- it is, in our opinion, the finest single example of any of the higher-denomination Bluish Paper stamps. There is simply nothing that compares to it. That said, the very slightly skewed perforations, which are often found in corner-margin positions, keeps this beautiful example from a grade of 90 or 95. However, stamps like this transcend numerical grading.
Ex Whitman. With 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $4,250.00). Only five have graded higher (all at 90) in the P.S.E. Population Report and only three others share this grade.
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Brilliant color on blued paper with characteristic intense watermark, choice centering with wide margins, light strike of oval cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONLY TEN USED COPIES OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. A GREAT RARITY.
According to Johl, the 15c stamps were discovered in the post office in Buffalo N.Y. The rarity of the 15c on Bluish in used condition is often overlooked by collectors, probably because it is fairly plentiful in unused condition. Our census, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/US/Scott/366 , records only ten used copies. No on-cover uses are known. Another has a certificate declining opinion as to whether the cancel is contemporary, and two others (not included) need to be reexamined for genuineness. Of the confirmed copies only two or three are sound. The sound example offered here is highly desirable.
Census No. 366-CAN-09. Ex Twigg-Smith and Curtis. With 1990 and 2001 P.F. certificates
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE YELLOW PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,450.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four others share this grade.
15c Gray (418). Mint N.H. with part imprint top selvage, Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, bright shade on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1912 15-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO, THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING STAMP.
Ex Merlin. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $4,800.00 as 100). This is one of only two stamps to achieve this illustrious grade. The other, ex Whitman and "Hanover", does not have imprint or plate number selvage. There are no other Scott 418's graded above 98J in any condition (Mint N.H., hinged or used).
20c Ultramarine (419). Mint N.H. with bottom selvage, radiant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1912 20-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Ex "Westchester" and "Golden State". With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $5,750.00). Only one has graded higher (at 100, offered in our 2014 Rarities sale and recently brought $13,500 hammer in the "Golden State" sale) and no others share this grade. The margins on the stamp offered here are noticeably larger than the 100, but measurements must be off a fraction of a millimeter.
4c Brown (427). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, deep rich color on bright paper, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 427, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex "Golden State". With 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $2,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others.
8c Pale Olive Green (431). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, pretty shade on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 431, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $2,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. This is the first time we have ever offered this grade.
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering, huge and well-balanced margins, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 10 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK $1.00 FRANKLIN. PERHAPS THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE AND GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE IT.
Even though this issue is not particularly rare, collectors who have been searching know the extreme difficulty of obtaining examples with such perfect centering and in such pristine condition.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $16,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to reach this exalted grade.
11c Dark Green (473). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with absolutely enormous margins all around, long and even perforations, deep rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 473 IN EXISTENCE. IT IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
Ex "Golden State". With 1989 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $5,000.00 as 100). One is graded 100 (we have never offered it) and the next highest grade is 98.
12c Claret Brown (474). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, rich color, gorgeous perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 474, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
Ex "Golden State". With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $4,250.00). The highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade. The highest grade we have offered in our auctions is 95.