Sale 1092 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 19-20 February, 2015
Category — 1902-08 Bureau, Louisiana Purchase and Jamestown Issues (Scott 300-330)
8c Violet Black (306). Mint N.H., sharp color on bright white paper, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem
10c Pale Red Brown (307). Mint N.H. block of 12 in 3 x 5 format, wonderful centering, especially for a large multiple, rich color, post-office fresh, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a lovely piece, Scott Retail as singles
$1.00 Black (311). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, scarce in Mint N.H. condition, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $1,900.00)
$1.00 Black (311). Lightly hinged, outstanding centering with wide balanced margins, intense shade, Extremely Fine
$1.00 Black (311). Block of four, precise centering with balanced margins, duplex cancels, Extremely Fine, a beautiful used block
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE.
With 1984 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Block of 18 in 6 x 3 format, registry oval cancels, deep rich color, natural s.e. at left, five stamps with few trivial creases, rejoined along vertical row of perfs at center, perf separations reinforced between stamps -- all to be expected in a used multiple of this sizeVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE LARGEST KNOWN USED MULTIPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE.
An outstanding exhibition piece with incredible centering for such a large block of the $2.00 1902 Issue. Scott Retail as three blocks of four and six singles does not give a true indication of its rarity.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 MARSHALL 1902 ISSUE.
With 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ). The "XQ" designation is reserved for stamps of extraordinary quality.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Lightly hinged, deep rich color, well-centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP.
With 1987 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Left arrow margin block of four, deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-centered, the top right stamp particularly choiceVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB AND EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM ARROW BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE.
A review using Power Search found only two other unduplicated unused blocks offered by the Siegel firm since 1996 -- and no arrow blocks in any of our sales since 1993 and our Rarities sales since 1964
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Block of four, rich color and sharp impression, oval registry cancelsFINE AND RARE USED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE.
This is only the third used block we have offered since 2001.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., huge margins including sheet margin at left, Extremely Fine Gem
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Lightly hinged, large margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, large margins all around, exceptionally fresh color on bright paper, bottom left stamp trivial small natural gum wrinkleEXTREMELY FINE. AN INCALCULABLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED CENTER LINE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE -- FAR RARER THAN A PLATE BLOCK AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
According to Johl, only 29 sheets of 400 of the 5c imperforate were issued. Most were sent to Indianapolis and the majority was used by manufacturers of private coils. Some unused were acquired by collectors (including 825 copies distributed to members of the Detroit Philatelic Society). As scarce and desirable as plate blocks are of this issue, centerline blocks are in an entirely separate category of rarity. For each sheet of 400 stamps there would have been eight plate blocks -- and only one centerline block. Power Search contains only one other centerline block (last offered in our 1988 Rarities sale) and it was hinged. The Philatelic Foundation records only this centerline block in Mint N.H. condition.
Unpriced in Scott as Mint N.H. Scott Retail for hinged $9,000.00 (versus $3,000.00 for a hinged plate block). The Scott premium for a Mint N.H. single versus a hinged single is 90%
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. left arrow block of four, large margins other sides, bright color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ as a block), Scott Retail as two pairs
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. left imprint and plate no. 2953 block of six, large margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE.
With 1980 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
1c-10c Louisiana Purchase, 1c-3c Jamestown (323-330). Mint N.H. complete sets, brilliant colors, choice centering, No. 329 light fingerprint on gum, Extremely Fine, No. 330 with 1974 P.F. certificate
1c-10c Louisiana Purchase (323-327). Mint N.H. complete set in panes of 50, imprint and plate nos. at top and bottom, full arrows at left (10c at right), natural s.e. other side, wonderfully fresh colors throughout, condition notes as follows: 1c with internal perf separations incl. in the top plate block, Fine-Very Fine; 2c light fingerprint on the gum of one, some minor edge perf separations and small selvage nick in bottom plate block, Fine with a number of stamps Very Fine; 3c with perhaps a tiny disturbance on one, Fine-Very Fine; 5c pristine and Fine-Very Fine; 10c perf separations between much of 7th and 8th rows, Fine-Very FineAN OUTSTANDING AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED SET OF PANES OF 50 OF THE 1904 LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE.
Due to the demand for plate blocks and well-centered Mint N.H. singles, most panes have been broken.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. plate blocks and singles