Sale 1278 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 21-23 March, 2023
Category — 1902-08 Issue, Louisiana Purchase, Jamestown Issues (Scott 300-330)
3c Bright Violet (302). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1990, 2021 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (latter two XF-Superb 95; SMQ $825.00)
3c Bright Violet (302). Mint N.H., crisp impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2020 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF 90)
3c Bright Violet (302). Original gum, Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in this grade, SMQ $525.00 as 100), the perfect stamp for the collector who values centering and margins above gum, no others equal this grade in any gum condition
4c Brown (303). Mint N.H., fresh rich color, near perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Killien, Merlin and "Golden Oak", with 2001, 2014 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (latter two XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only three grade higher
4c Brown (303). Mint N.H., lovely bright color on post office fresh paper, Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF 90)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H., deep dark color and bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp with great eye appeal, ex "Golden Oak", with 2014 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (both XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00), only four grade higher (three at 98, one at 98J) and only two others share this desirable grade
6c Claret (305). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
8c Violet Black (306). Mint N.H., deep shade and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 XQ)
10c Pale Red Brown (307). Mint N.H., bright shade and crisp impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. and 2013 P.F. certificates (both XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only two grade higher (at 95J and 98J)
13c Purple Black (308). Mint N.H., deep shade and detailed impression, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Golden Oak", with differing grades, 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $775.00) and 2014 P.F. certificate (Superb 98)
15c Olive Green (309). Mint N.H., pretty shade, perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1903 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE P.F.
Ex "Hanover". With 2012 P.S.E. and 2016 P.F. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $10,500.00). Only one grades higher (at 98J, we have never offered it) and one other shares this desirable grade.
50c Orange (310). Mint N.H., vibrant color, gorgeous centering with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1902 ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE P.F.
The 1902-03 Regular Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforation method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. Furthermore, stamps issued in choice condition seldom stayed that way, because the boom in stamp collecting that began with the Roosevelt administration caused hordes of hinge-bearing philatelists to mount stamps over and over again. For this reason, today's collectors have grown accustomed to paying many multiples of Scott value for Extremely Fine stamps in Mint Never-Hinged state. Anyone who has pursued this set can testify that the 50c is rarely encountered in such condition. Apart from the $2.00 and $5.00 values, it is more elusive than any other value of the set in superb Mint N.H. condition. This example probably ranks among the ten highest-quality examples in existence.
With 2010 P.S.E. and 2011 P.F. certificates (both XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,500.00). Only three grade higher (two at 95J and one at 98) and five others share this desirable grade.
$1.00 Black (311). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression on crisp paper, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1902 ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE P.F.
Ex Curtis. With 2009 P.S.E. and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,500.00). Only three grade higher (at 98).
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F. -- A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
The 1902-03 Regular Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforating method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. Collecting practices of hinging stamps into albums and time have left very few superb Mint N.H. examples for today's collectors. This is particularly true for the high $2.00 and $5.00 values of this series, which were printed in much smaller quantities than the lower values. This stamp should be considered a true condition rarity.
Ex "Golden Oak". With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has four at this grade, and we have offered only one since 2010. Looking at the centering on the example offered here, we are surprised this did not grade 98, an opinion no doubt shared by others, as this realized $25,000 hammer in our 2013 "Golden Oak" sale versus SMQ equivalent of $14,400.00 at the time.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Single hinge mark at top, near perfect centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE.
With 2017 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95XQ). With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $5,000.00). Only seven original-gum examples are graded higher than 95J. There are no Mint N.H. stamps graded above 90 in the P.S.E. Population Report, so collectors who demand superb centering would be well advised to consider this gem. The difference in SMQ between a 95 and 95J is only $500.00 despite a significant difference in population numbers.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Original gum, rich color, attractive centering and margins, fresh and Very Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Original gum, narrow h.r., deep rich color and proof-like impression, Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Original gum, barely hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, attractive centering, Very Fine, with 1976 P.F. and 2022 P.S.E. certificates
1c Blue Green, Imperforate Horizontal Coil (314H). Mint N.H. pair, large even margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE FLAT PLATE COIL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
These coils were made from the flat plate regular issue stamps, and were issued in rolls of either 500 or 1,000. This is an exceptionally choice example.
With copy of 1986 P.F. certificate for the strip of nine from which this came. With 2002 and 2005 P.F. certificates as this pair (XF-Superb 95).
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. block of four, fresh color, large to huge margins, Extremely Fine
1c Blue Green, Coil (318). Pair, original gum, lightly hinged, incredibly rich color, well-centered top to bottomFRESH AND VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 318.
Ex Golin and from our 1993 Rarities sale. With 1967 and 1993 P.F. certificates
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1c Green, Louisiana Purchase (323). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
2c Carmine, Louisiana Purchase (324). Mint N.H., brilliant color, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $550.00), only ten grade higher
3c Violet, Louisiana Purchase (325). Mint N.H., flawlessly centered with remarkably wide margins, rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEEDINGLY HANDSOME MINT-NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,500.00). Only one stamp grades higher (at 98J)
5c Dark Blue, Louisiana Purchase (326). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00)
10c Red Brown, Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H. with wide top imprint selvage, intense color with razor-sharp impression on post-office fresh paper, exceptional centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE.
The Louisiana Purchase stamps, much like the following Jamestown commemorative set, were issued with narrow margins when compared to the regular issues of the 1902 Series. The example offered here is a true condition rarity.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,000.00)
10c Red Brown, Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 2105 block of six, choice centering, gorgeous color and crisp impression on fresh paperVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE.
Top position plate blocks of the 10c Louisiana Purchase Issue are very difficult to obtain, especially in choice Mint N.H. condition.
With 2005 P.F. and 2023 P.S.E. certificates.
1c Green, Jamestown (328). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00)
2c Carmine, Jamestown (329). Mint N.H., near perfect centering, vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
5c Blue, Jamestown (330). Mint N.H., deep rich color which is nicely contrasted by bright paper, intense impression, beautifully centered with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT JAMESTOWN ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Scarsdale" and "Golden Oak". With 2001 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). Only five grade higher (two at 95J, two at 98, one at 98J)