Sale 1278 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 21-23 March, 2023
Category — 1908-12 Issues (Scott 331-396)
2c Carmine, Foreign Entry of 1c Design (332 var). Deep rich color, wavy-lines machine cancel, decent centering for this stamp which is rarely found and when it is often shows poor centering, some blunted perfs at bottom left, Fine appearance, only one position -- the fourth position under the plate no. on the upper left pane of Plate 5299 -- yields this interesting variety, it is believed to have been created when a 1c transfer roll was erroneously used to enter this position on the 2c plate, when it was discovered prior to printing, the design was burnished away and corrected with a 2c entry, some elements of the 1c design remained and are identifiable, with 2006 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Violet, Experimental Gray Paper (333 var). Original gum, rich color on a thick gray paper which differs from both the Bluish papers and the so-called "China Clay" papers, small translucency below chin, Very Fine appearance and a most unusual variety, with 2006 P.F. certificate stating No. 333 var., experimental gray paper
4c Orange Brown (334). Mint N.H., lovely color, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996, 2008 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (latter two Superb 98; SMQ $2,350.00), only five grade higher and four others share this grade
6c Red Orange (336). Mint N.H., vibrant color, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 336, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F.
With 1999 and 2021 P.F. certificates (Superb 98). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only one at 98 with three higher
8c Olive Green (337). Mint N.H., pretty pastel shade, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999, 2005 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00), only eight grade higher
13c Blue Green (339). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $675.00), only nine grade higher
15c Pale Ultramarine (340). Mint N.H., pretty pastel color, wonderful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only four grade higher (two each at 95J and 98)
15c Pale Ultramarine (340). Mint N.H., choice centering, attractive color, Extremely Fine, with 2022 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
50c Violet (341). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, beautiful centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1909 50-CENT PERF 12 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS OF THE SET TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AND SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F.
Collectors searching for this denomination in higher grades are often frustrated in their search. The margins are often narrow, and production difficulties resulted in many off-center stamps or rejected sheets which were destroyed. This led to the Bluish Paper experiments. The stamp offered here is a true condition rarity.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,850.00). Only two grade higher (at 95J and 98). With 2011 P.F. certificate (Superb 98).
50c Violet (341). Mint N.H., vivid color, nicely centered, Very Fine, with 2018 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Violet Brown (342). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1909 $1.00 WASHINGTON, SCOTT 342. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS OF THE SET TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Ex "Hanover". With 2005 P.F. and 2006 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,750.00). Only four have graded higher (two at 95, one at 95J and one at 98), and only five others share this grade.
5c Blue, Imperforate (347). Mint N.H., huge margins including parts adjoining stamps and also part imprint at bottom, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $475.00)
1c Green, Coil (348). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1981 S.P.A. and 2022 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Coil (349). Mint N.H. guide line strip of four, brilliant color, Very Fine, an attractive and scarce Mint N.H. strip of this issue, ex Depew, with 2003 P.F. (for strip of five) and 2013 P.S.E. certificates, Scott value as Mint N.H. guide line pair and singles
1c Green, Coil (352). Mint N.H. guide line strip of four, beautifully centered, fresh color, Extremely Fine, Power Search located only one other offered in our sales since 1993, ex Depew, with 2003 P.F. certificate, Scott value as Mint N.H. guide line pair and singles
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Pair, original gum, lightly hinged, full margins and fresh colorVERY FINE. A SCARCE AND CHOICE PAIR OF THE 1909 10-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 356.
According to Johl (Volume 1, page 181), only 10,000 of the 10c Washington coil stamp were issued. They were made especially for a New York firm to send out advertising samples, similar to the 3c Orangeburg coil. Only a few rolls were sold to the firm, and the remaining rolls were distributed to some of the large post offices across the country. Dealers acquired several rolls, but because most contemporary collectors did not collect coils, many were used and destroyed.
With 1959 and 2022 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
5c Blue, Bluish (361). With wide sheet selvage at top, stamp Mint N.H., h.r. at top in ungummed top part of selvage, deep rich color on nicely blued paper, three huge marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER, WITH THE STAMP IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
We have offered only a handful of Mint N.H. examples of Scott 361 in the past 25 years. With 2020 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85). Small blue backstamp.
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Original gum, rich color on deeply blued paper, unusually well-centered for this difficult stampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
The 5c is the rarest of the regularly issued Bluish Paper stamps. With 1974 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, VF 80; SMQ $6,250.00)
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Original gum, rich color on deeply blued paper, balanced margins top-to-bottom and side-to-sideVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A LOVELY SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT ON 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).
With 1964, 1990 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Original gum, deep rich color on nicely blued paper, light vertical crease and reperfed at rightFINE APPEARING 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).
With 1956 (clear) and 2019 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Bluish (369). Brilliant color on nicely blued paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Bluish (369). Wide margins and choice centering, rich color, unobtrusive cancel of four bars, Extremely Fine, a lovely used example, with 1996 P.S.E. and 2006 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Hudson-Fulton (372). Mint N.H., radiant color, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate (Superb 98)
1c Green (374). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $650.00), this is the highest grade awarded
1c Green (374). Mint N.H., essentially perfect centering, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $500.00)
2c Lake (375b). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich Lake shade, Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Violet (376). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00)
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H., fabulous Jumbo margins and precise centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H., lovely rich color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $425.00)
5c Blue (378). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1998 P.F. and 2018 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $475.00)
6c Red Orange (379). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, near perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 379, GARDED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2006 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (both Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,800.00). Only two grade higher (at 100J) and three others share this desirable grade
8c Olive Green (380). Mint N.H., wide margins and outstanding centering, strong color on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Golden Oak", with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
10c Yellow (381). Mint N.H. with plate no. 5239 selvage at left, radiant color, choice centering with wide margins, trivial natural inclusion as often found on this color stamp and not mentioned on accompanying certificates, Extremely Fine, ex "Scarsdale", with 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $325.00), we are not sure the grade catches the beauty of this stamp
15c Pale Ultramarine (382). Mint N.H., brilliant color and paper, unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 382, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2006 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (both XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,250.00). This is undercatalogued by SMQ--we have not offered any at this grade since 2017 and the last two we sold brought $2,600 and $3,500, both in 2017. Only two grade higher (one at 95J, one at 98).
15c Pale Ultramarine (382). Mint N.H., pretty pastel color, well-centered, Very Fine, with 1992 and 2003 (copy) P.F. certificates for a block of four (top right stamp)
1c Green, Coil (385). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,350.00)
2c Carmine, Coil (386). Mint N.H. guide line strip of four, vivid color, attractive centering and marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE STRIP OF THE 2-CENT VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 386.
Ex Depew. With 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott value as Mint N.H. guide line pair and singles
4c Brown, Coil (395). Mint N.H. guide line strip of four, choice centering, rich color on bright fresh paper, Extremely Fine, ex Floyd and Depew, with 1979 and 2001 P.F. certificates, Scott value as Mint N.H. line pair and singles
5c Blue, Coil (396). Mint N.H., intact perfs at right, deep rich color, near perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,050.00)