Sale 924 — The Scarsdale Collection, Part 3: Bank Note and Bureau Issues and Postage Dues
Sale Date — Tuesday, 14 November, 2006
Category — 1879 American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Issue
1c Brown (J1). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, crisp impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1999 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $800.00), the next highest grade in the Population Report is 80
2c Brown (J2). Mint N.H., beautiful bright color and detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 2-CENT BROWN POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Brown (J3). Mint N.H., brilliant color and detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 3-CENT BROWN POSTAGE DUE ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00). This is the only stamp to achieve this high grade to date. In our opinion, SMQ values are very conservative for high-grade Mint N.H. Postage Dues in general
5c Brown (J4). Mint N.H., rich color, sharp impression, wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 5-CENT BROWN POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL POSTAGE DUE STAMPS TO OBTAIN IN CENTERED, MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
A review of our computerized records shows we have only offered three other Mint N.H. stamps, only one of which could be considered Extremely Fine.
With 1983 and 1999 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,700.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date by P.S.E. to a Mint N.H. stamp, and this is the only example to achieve this grade. The SMQ value is very conservative given its rarity.
10c Brown (J5). Original gum, barely hinged, intense shade and impression, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND AND WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 10-CENT BROWN POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN CHOICE CONDITION.
As an indication of rarity, we have not offered a Mint N.H. example since keeping computerized records over ten years ago. This hinged copy is among the two or three finest we have offered.
With 2000 P.F. certificate. With 1996 and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75; SMQ $1,150.00 as 70 and $2,650.00 as 80). This is the highest grade awarded to date by P.S.E.
30c Brown (J6). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1989 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $450.00), this is the highest grade awarded to date by P.S.E., we have only offered two Mint N.H. examples since keeping computerized records (none are listed on P.S.E.'s Population Report) and among the hinged copies this is easily one of the finest we have ever offered
50c Brown (J7). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, radiant color, crisp impression, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 50-CENT BROWN FIRST POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION, THIS HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 1982 and 1999 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,800.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade. No Mint N.H. stamps have been graded.