Sale 968B — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Three: 1902-34 Issues, B-O-B
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 22-25 September, 2009
Category — 1912-14 Washington-Franklin Issue (Scott 405-423)
1c Green, 2c Carmine (405-406). Mint N.H. singles, each with radiant color, crisp impressions, wide balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gems
2c Carmine, Double Impression (406b). Horizontal pair with sheet selvage at left, original gum, small h.r., the partial double impression is in the center of the pair and is shared by both stamps, perfs slightly in at right as presumably are all the other few surviving examplesTHIS DOUBLE IMPRESSION ERROR IS ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE RARITIES OF THE WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN PERIOD.
By coincidence, the only other example of this error located among our auction records with Power Search is the block from the George Brett estate, sold in our recent Sale 967 (lot 4733).
With 1988 and 2007 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail listed but unpriced
7c Black (407). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 6903 selvage, intense shade and sharp proof-like impression nicely contrasted by bright white paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp in every respect, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
1c Green, 2c Carmine, Ty. I, Coil (410-411). Mint N.H. single, pair and guide line pair of each, deep rich colors, selected by the owner for superior centering, color and overall condition, Extremely Fine Gems, the No. 411 guide line pair with 1993 P.F. certificate
1c Green, Coil (412). Mint N.H. guide line pair, pretty shade, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1978 P.F. certificate
1c Green, Coil (412). Mint N.H. pair, deep rich color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1989 P.F. certificate for strip of four
2c Carmine, Coil (413). Mint N.H. guide line pair, radiant color, wide and balanced margins, tiny natural inclusion in right stamp not mentioned on accompanying certificates, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful guide line pair, with 1986 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00)
2c Carmine, Coil (413). Mint N.H. single and pair, radiant color on bright paper, fresh and Extremely Fine, the pair with 1990 P.F. certificate as strip of five
8c Pale Olive Green (414). Mint N.H. with part imprint and wide selvage at top, gorgeous warm color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 1995 P.F. certificate as imprint and plate no. strip of three
9c Salmon Red (415). Mint N.H., vibrant color, proof-like impression on fresh crisp paper, Jumbo margins with almost mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 9-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE
With 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $2,750.00 as 98). This is the only N.H. example to achieve this grade
10c Orange Yellow (416). Mint N.H. with plate no. 5764 in bottom selvage, vivid color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $230.00)
12c Claret Brown (417). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at bottom, beautiful rich color and proof-like impression on bright white paper, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE ULTIMATE JUMBO EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE, GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. A STAMP THAT IS THE ESSENCE OF PERFECTION.
Ex Morris. With 1988 P.F. certificate for a strip of three, and 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $2,450.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this pinnacle of grades.
15c Gray (418). Mint N.H., bright color on crisp paper, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1912 15-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE. THIS SUPERB STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- SIMPLY PERFECTION
Ex Morris. With 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $3,550.00 as 98). Only one other stamp has been awarded this grade to date
20c Ultramarine (419). Mint N.H. with selvage at bottom, radiant color on fresh paper, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
30c Orange Red (420). Mint N.H., fiery color and remarkably fresh, choice wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE.
With 1983 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00)
50c Violet (421). Mint N.H., eye-arresting deep shade and post-office fresh, almost perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 50-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED ISSUE.
With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,150.00)
50c Violet (422). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on crisp paper, choice centering with unusually wide margins at sides, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression which shows every detail of the engraving, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO FIND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
This stamp occasionally comes with wide margins, but is rarely found with such perfect centering, especially in Mint N.H. condition.
With 1996 P.F. certificate.