Sale 951 — The Tahoe Collection of Superb Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 27 February, 2008
Category — Special Delivery, Postage Dues
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel leaves design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $620.00). Only one other has been awarded this grade. We are surprised the P.S.E. did not see fit to add the Jumbo appellation to this uncharacteristically wide-margined example. SMQ also seems too conservative to us.
1c Brown (J1). Almost perfectly centered with well-proportioned margins, radiant color and detailed impression, cork cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp
5c Red Brown (J18). Perfectly centered with immense margins, sharp impression, light cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2003 P.F. certificate
30c Red Brown (J20). Unusually choice centering with well-balanced margins, bright shade, detailed impression, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, fresh and Extremely Fine, a highly desirable stamp
30c Bright Claret (J27). Intense color, Jumbo margins all around, neat oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2001 P.F. certificate
50c Bright Claret (J28). Choice centering with immense margins, light strike of circular datestamp, deep dark shade and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a true condition rarity featuring outstanding color, centering, freshness and cancel, with 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Vermilion (J29). Brilliant color on bright paper, unusually wide margins, light strike of oval cancel leaves design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE, ARGUABLY THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE ISSUE, SCOTT J29, IN EXISTENCE. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SOUND CONDITION AND WITH WIDE MARGINS.
Ex Twigg-Smith. With 2001 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion (J30). Rich color and crisp impression on bright paper, unobtrusive strike of oval registry cancel, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, surprisingly difficult to obtain in such choice used condition, with 1988 P.F. certificate
30c Deep Claret (J36). Radiant color on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel leaves design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT UNWATERMARKED 1895 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE LOFTY GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- UNQUESTIONABLY THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
As collectors of Postage Dues can attest, very few used examples from any series can be found in such superb condition.
With 1987 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; unpriced in used condition in SMQ). The righthand columns of the P.S.E. Population Report are virtually bare for Scott J36. Only this used stamp (98) and one OGph copy (98J) will be found above the grade of 85, while the other certified used copy scored only 40.
30c Deep Claret (J43). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, "face free" strike of grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, scarce in such superb condition, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; unpriced as used in SMQ), this is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade
50c Deep Claret (J50). Brilliant color, enormous margins all around, light strike of cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Rose (J60). Bright color, perfectly centered, unobtrusive oval cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, difficult to obtain in such superb used condition