Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008
Category — 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Special Printing
1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated at left and natural s.e. at right with part arrow at bottom, long and full perforations at top and bottom, bright color, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE ONE-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT VALUES OF THE SERIES TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 167 contains 44 certified examples. Of these, less than ten have perforations all around (including two with either imprint or plate no. at bottom). Less than two of these are sound and centered, and none have margins approaching the size of the example offered here.
Unpublished Census No. 167-UNC-35. Ex Chapin. With 1967 and 2003 P.F. certificates.
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, trace of captured imprint at bottom, deep shade and proof-like impression, without scissors-trimmed perfs (a few short or nibbed)FINE AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 2-CENT CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently completed review of records found only 55 copies of Scott 168 certified as genuine. Of these, 22 have straight edges on at least one side and several are faulty.
Ex Caspary, Hetherington and Golin. With 1957 P.F. certificate
3c Blue Green, Special Printing (169). Without gum as issued, dark color on fresh paper, wide margins, scissors-separated leaving full and almost intact perforations on three sidesEXTREMELY FINE. LESS THAN 40 OF THE 1875 3-CENT CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.
The Scott catalogue notes that "Although perforated, these stamps were usually cut apart with scissors. As a result, the perforations are often much mutilated and the design is frequently damaged." For additional information, please see an article by William E. Mooz in Chronicle 183 titled "Scissors Cutting of the 1875 Special Printing Issues." The example offered here, with its design complete and perforations intact on three sides, is one of the finest examples known of this rarity.
Ex Chapin. With 1979 and 2003 P.F. certificates
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (170). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual but leaving virtually full perforations on all sides, beautiful centering, radiant color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 6-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL HARD PAPER SPECIAL PRNTING TO OBTAIN IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION.
Our recent review of records from the Philatelic Foundation found 33 unduplicated examples of Scott 170. Of these, approximately half have full perforations on all sides, including several which are faulty.
With 1970 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $58,500.00)
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, bright color, full perfs at top and left, s.e. at right and bottom but with wide margins, a few faults, accompanying certificate states "defective"VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 7-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING. APPROXIMATELY 70-75 ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Most stamps of the Continental Special Printings were scissors-separated, affecting the perforations on at least one side and in some cases two or three sides. Our recent review of records of the Philatelic Foundation located only 70 examples of Scott 171.
With 1972 P.F. certificate
10c Pale Brown, Special Printing (172). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated perfs as usually found on this issue, bright color, choice centeringVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING. LESS THAN 40 ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 172 contain 36 copies that have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation. A majority of these have been scissors-separated into the perforations on at least one side. Of the eleven copies with full perforations, most have either pulled perforations or are not well-centered.
Ex "Country Gentleman" and Chapin. With 1973 and 2003 P.F. certificates
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual but with perforations intact all around, deep rich color, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 12-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of copies certified by the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 60 examples of Scott 173.
Ex Geisler. With 1952, 1992 and 2007 P.F. certificates
15c Bright Orange, Special Printing (174). Without gum as issued, vibrant color and sharp proof-like impression on bright white paper, choice centering, perforations intactEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation produced only 38 certified examples of Scott 174. Of these, an overwhelming majority have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. Only five or six have intact perforations, and of these perhaps half are faulty.
Ex Lessin. With 1958 and 2002 P.F. certificates
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, intense shade and proof-like impression, showing full and intact perfs all aroundA FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
Approximately 80-90 examples are believed to exist. Ex Sheriff. With 1971 P.F. certificate
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, beautiful deep shade, scissors-separated as almost always leaving virtually full perforations on three sidesEXTREMELY FINE. A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF 30-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING -- ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE HARD PAPER SPECIAL PRINTINGS TO OBTAIN IN CHOICE CONDITION.
Many examples of the Continental Bank Note special printings were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away. A review of our records and those of the Philatelic Foundation found 52 certified copies. Of these, only three or four have perforations on all four sides. The stamp offered here, with full perforations on three sides and a balanced margin at bottom, is a condition rarity.
Ex Chapin. With 1948 and 2003 P.F. certificates
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated but with intact perfs on two sides, bright shade, small corner crease at top rightFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 90-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING. APPROXIMATELY 50 ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found only 44 certified examples of Scott 177. With 1948 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates
2c Carmine Vermilion, Special Printing (180). Without gum as issued, intense color and proof-like impression, full and intact perfs all around without any scissors-separationFRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 2-CENT CARMINE VERMILION CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. ONLY 24 EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our census of Scott 180 published in the Zoellner catalogue (and updated at our website at: http://siegelauctions.com/enc/census/180/180.htm) records 24 examples of this rare Special Printing, one of which is in the New York Public Library collection.
Census No. 180-UNC-04. With 1948, 1965 and 2002 P.F. certificates.