Sale 1028 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Three: 1902 and Later Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 20 September, 2012
Category — 1917-19 Perf 11 Unwatermarked Issue (Scott 498-518b)
1c-$1.00 1917-19 Issue (498-499, 501-504, 506-509, 512, 512a, 513-516, 518). Seventeen used stamps, individually selected by the owner for their superior quality, gorgeous colors, incl. both shades of the 12c (Scott 512 and 512a), fantastic centering, Extremely Fine Gems, a rare opportunity to acquire most of the set in Gem-quality used condition, 1c and 8c with 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 and XF-Superb 95 respectively), we are sure many others would also grade very highly
1c Green, Double Impression (498d). Wide and balanced margins, clear doubling of the entire design, unobtrusive wavy-line machine cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE FINEST USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1917 ONE-CENT GREEN WITH A DOUBLE IMPRESSION. ONLY SEVEN USED EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
Our census of unused and used double impressions for this issue, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/498g/498g.pdf , records only seven used examples plus 23 unused copies. The recent trend has been to recertify some as kiss prints and not true double impressions, so this number may be revised downward as others are reexamined. The example offered here, recently recertified, is the finest contained in our records.
Census No. 498d-CAN-01. Ex Blumenkopf. With 1996 and 2009 P.F. certificates.
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (498f). Rich color, tied by mute oval cancels on manila piece which looks like it could have been an oversize wrapper, this style of oval cancel was often used on high-value packages, few minor perf separations not mentioned on accompanying certificatesVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE INTACT USED PANE OF THE ONE-CENT A.E.F. BOOKLET. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
The A.E.F. booklet panes were issued in September 1917, primarily for use by the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. Only 3,000 panes were prepared of both the 1c and 2c denominations. By October they were no longer needed, as Congress voted to allow mail to be sent free of charge by active members of the Armed Forces. Many of the panes were destroyed.
Very few intact used panes are recorded. This is the only one we have offered since keeping computerized records. With 2004 A.P.S. and 2010 P.F. certificates.
1c Green, 2c Rose, Ty. I, A.E.F. Booklet (498f, 499f). Single of each, 1c from bottom row of the booklet pane, 2c with guideline at left and from a booklet position with the tab at right, tied by "U.S. Army Postal Service Dec. 2, 1917" wavy-line machine postmark on cover to Philadelphia, bold blue censor's handstamp and signature of censor, very small piece out at top from opening, Very Fine, a scarce and desirable usage of the 1c and 2c A.E.F. stamps, no intact used panes of the 2c are known (a partial pane is known) and so this is really the only way to collect it in used condition, with 1998 A.P.S. certificate
1c Green, Perf 10 at Bottom (498g). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, faint strike of cancel, perfs just in at rightFINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT GREEN 1917 ISSUE PERFORATED 10 AT BOTTOM. ONLY FIVE USED EXAMPLES OF THIS RARITY ARE KNOWN.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our records of this rarity contain twelve unused (including two in a block of four, four in a block of 25 and and two in a plate block of six) and five used examples, as illustrated below and available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/498g/498g.pdf .
Census No. 498g-CAN-04. With 1972 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
2c Rose, Ty. I, Double Impression (499g). Showing clear doubling of the entire design, radiant color, centered to right as are all known examples, unobtrusive strike of Boston oval registry cancelFINE. ONE OF ONLY FOUR CERTIFIED USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1917 2-CENT ROSE TYPE I WITH A DOUBLE IMPRESSION. A GREAT RARITY OF THE ISSUE.
Our census of this issue, illustrated below and available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/499g/499g.pdf , contains four used examples. Approximately ten unused are known, mostly contained in multiples.
With 2005 P.F. certificate. Listed but unpriced in Scott. The 1c of the series, with seven known used copies, catalogues $4,000.00.
2c Lake, Ty. I (499h). Intense color which is distinctly different from the normally issued color and shades, centered to bottom right, unobtrusive strike of duplex cancel, Fine and very rare, accompanied by 1c entire (U400) from Newton Kans. to Beloit Wis. on which this originated, this is the first used example we have offered since keeping computerized records, with 2001 P.F. certificate as on the cover, undercatalogued in Scott, this is every bit as rare as Scott 406c in the Lake shade, which catalogues $2,750.00
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Intense shade on bright paper, beautifully centered, neat wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2000 P.F. certificate
3c Light Violet, Ty. I, Double Impression (501d). Showing dramatic doubling of the design with one impression printed 7mm below the other, neat strike of San Francisco circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE MOST DRAMATIC OF THE FOUR CERTIFIED USED COPIES OF THIS DOUBLE IMPRESSION. A GREAT RARITY.
Our census of Scott 501d double impression, illustrated below and available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/501d/501d.pdf , records only four used examples, plus 5-6 unused copies. One other used copy shows such a dramatic shift but it has flaws. Two of the unused also show this dramatic shift.
Ex Twigg-Smith. With 2001 P.F. certificate.
3c Dark Violet, Ty. II, Double Impression (502d). Showing subtle but clear doubling of the entire design as do all known used examples and most unused, light cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FOUR CERTIFIED USED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT TYPE II WITH A DOUBLE IMPRESSION. A GREAT RARITY.
Our census of this issue contains four used copies, illustrated below and available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/502d/502d.pdf , and approximately a dozen unused copies.
Census No. 502d-CAN-02. Ex Saadi and Floyd. With 1990 and 2001 P.F. certificates. Undercatalogued in Scott -- one of the other used examples realized $2,500 hammer in one of our auctions in 2009.
3c Dark Violet, Ty. II, Perf 10 at Bottom (502e). Block of three, both bottom stamps Perf 10 at bottom, rich color, bold cancels, bottom left stamp single pulled perf partly masked by placement of cancel, the same stamp also has a light diagonal crease, the right error is completely soundVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THIS PERF 10 RARITY, WHICH IS ALSO ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL PERF 10 ON ONE SIDE VARIETIES. ONLY SIX SINGLES AND THIS PAIR HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE. THESE ARE ALSO THE ONLY EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE WITH A HANDSTAMPED (OR MACHINE) CANCELLATION. NONE IS KNOWN UNUSED.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of this issue, shown below and available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/502e/502e.pdf , contains six singles and the multiple offered here. All of the singles are precancelled; the multiple offered here contains the only regularly cancelled copies.
Census No. 502e-CAN-PR-01. Ex Zoellner. With 1990 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as two singles.
5c Blue, Double Impression (504b). Clear doubling of the entire design, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, New York oval registry cancel, natural pre-printing paper crease at right, Very Fine, very rare, only four used and six unused examples are known to us, the used originally formed a block of four, ex Floyd, with 2000 and 2001 P.S.E. certificates (former as a block) and 2001 P.F. certificate, this is undercatalogued in Scott in relation to other double impressions of the issue with similar census numbers
5c Rose, Error (505). Radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually choice centering with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1917 PERF 11 5-CENT ERROR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND AS A SOUND AND CENTERED USED STAMP.
During the course of production of the normal 2c from plate 7942, three positions were noted to be defective. The plate was returned to the siderographer, who burnished out the three positions and mistakenly re-entered them using a transfer roll for the 5c stamp. The error passed unnoticed and the sheets were issued to the public Perf 10, Imperforate and Perf 11 (Scott 467, 485 and 505). The imperforate is not known used. The Perf 10, Scott 467, is scarcer than the Perf 11 offered here, but both are very difficult to find in sound and centered used condition. The last time we offered a used example in any condition was in 2004.
With 1998 P.F. certificate.
6c Red Orange, Perf 10 at Top (506a). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide margins, natural s.e. at right, bold duplex cancel, small closed tears at top and leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1917 ISSUE PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM. ONLY 20 USED EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS. OF THESE, ONLY SEVEN SINGLES AND TWO IN A BLOCK HAVE REGULAR CANCELLATIONS, AND OF THESE ONLY THE TWO IN THE BLOCK ARE COMPLETELY SOUND.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 506a, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/506a/506a.pdf , contains 20 used copies and one unused example. Of the 20 used copies, only seven singles and two in a block have regular cancels -- the others are precancelled. Of these seven, three have straight edges and the others have flaws ranging from creases to "defective".
Census No. 506a-CAN-09. Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1981 and 2001 P.F. certificates
8c Olive Bister, Perf 10 at Bottom (508c). Brilliant color, choice centering for this difficult issue with wide margins, face-free cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THIS MAY WELL BE THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 1917 8-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM IN EXISTENCE. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 508c, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/508c/508c.pdf , contains sixteen certified and two uncertified examples of this rarity. Of these 18 copies only eight have regular cancels. Whittling the numbers down even further, three of the eight have faults, and only three of the five sound and handstamp/machine-cancelled copies could be considered well-centered (nos. 10, 15 and the example offered here).
Census No. 508c-CAN-06. Ex Grunin, Schilling, Zoellner and Blumenkopf. With 1998 P.F. certificate.
9c Salmon Red, Perf 10 at Bottom (509a). Vivid color, centered to left, bold postal cancelFINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO SOUND REGULARLY-CANCELLED EXAMPLES OF THE 1917 9-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM IN EXISTENCE. A GREAT RARITY.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 509a, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/509a/509a.pdf , contains a total of 27 used and one unused example of this rarity. Of the 27 used copies, fully 22 are precancelled. Only five have regular cancels. Of these five only two are sound (the copy offered here and no. 21) and both have similar centering.
Census No. 509a-CAN-01. Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1988 and 2001 P.F. certificates.
10c Orange Yellow (510). Vivid color as fresh as the day it was printed, mathematically precise centering with Jumbo margins, neat strike of Philadelphia oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $275.00 as 98), this is the highest grade possible on the grading chart and only one other has achieved this perfect grade
11c Light Green (511). Deep rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $375.00), only three have graded higher to date (all 98J) and only one other shares this grade
11c Light Green, Perf 10 at Bottom (511a). Block of four, bottom left stamp Perf 10, bottom right stamp with transitional perforations from 10 to 11, bright color, neat strikes of circular datestampsVERY FINE. A RARE BLOCK OF FOUR CONTAINING ONE STAMP PERF 11 AT BOTTOM AND ANOTHER WITH TRANSITIONAL PERFORATIONS FROM 10 TO 11. USED MULTIPLES OF THIS VARIETY ARE RARE.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as two singles of the variety
12c Claret Brown, Perf 10 at Top (512b). Bold cancel, deep rich color, small thin spot at top, small diagonal crease at bottom leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1917 12-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM. ONLY TWELVE USED EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN, AND THIS IS ONE OF ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES WITH A REGULAR CANCEL. A GREAT RARITY.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 512b, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/512b/512b.pdf , contains only twelve used and four unused examples of this rarity. For some reason none is well-centered. Seven of the twelve used examples have precancels. Only one of the five with regular cancel is confirmed as sound (no. 8), but it is off-center in two directions. Two others (nos. 2 and 3) need to be reexamined as they have very old certificates -- one is from around 1950. The example offered here has margins wider than most and should be considered a very desirable example of this rarity.
Census No. 512b-CAN-01. Ex Schilling, Zoellner and Blumenkopf. With 1950 and 1998 P.F. certificates.
20c Light Ultramarine, Perf 10 at Top (515d). Rich color and detailed impression, bold strike of New York oval registry cancel, diagonal creaseVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY THREE EXAMPLES OF THE 1917 20-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM VARIETY WITHOUT A PRECANCEL. NONE IS KNOWN UNUSED. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 515d, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/515d/515d.pdf , contains a total of ten used copies. None is known unused. Of the ten copies only three have regular cancels, including one with a bruststroke and one with a boxed cancel. This is the finest of the three. One of the three has a boxed cancel and the other has a heavy brush stroke cancel. We consider this example to be desirable both for the size of its margins and for the attractive handstamp cancel.
Census No. 515d-CAN-01. Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1992 and 2001 P.F. certificates.
30c Orange Red, Perf 10 at Top (516a). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, bold strike of oval registry cancel, centered to top left, small thinsFINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS ONE OF TWO USED EXAMPLES AND THE ONLY REGULARLY-CANCELLED EXAMPLE OF THE 1917 30-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 516a, available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/516a/516a.pdf , contains three unused examples, the handstamp-cancelled copy offered here and one with a precancel, for a total of five copies. This is the only copy with a regular cancel that can be confirmed as having gone thru the mail. This is also the only used example we have offered since keeping computerized records.
Census No. 516a-CAN-01. With 1970 and 2009 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue has not adjusted the used price for this rarity in line with others of the issue, probably because none has come to market in over a decade.
50c Red Violet, Perf 10 at Top (517c). Beautiful centering, deep rich color on bright paper, bold strike of oval registry cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. OF THE TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE 50-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM VARIETY. THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WITH A REGULAR CANCEL AND THE ONLY SOUND COPY -- NONE IS KNOWN UNUSED. THIS IS PERHAPS THE RAREST OF ALL PERF 10 ON ONE SIDE VARIETIES.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 517c, illustrated below and available at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/517c/517c.pdf , contains only two certified examples of this rarity. The other example has a precancel and a small fault. The example offered here is the only regularly-cancelled copy of this rarity, and the only example in sound condition.
Census No. 517c-CAN-01. Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1991 A.P.S. and 2002 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue value is outdated -- the stamp offered here was the last to be offered to the market, in 2001, when it realized $15,500 hammer.
50c Red Violet (517). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins all around, rich color on bright paper, neat strike of New York roller cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $350.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade
$1.00 Deep Brown (518b). Rich color, detailed impression, unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, neat strike of St. Louis Mo. boxed handstampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1917 $1.00 IN THE DARK BROWN SUB-SHADE.
According to Johl, a small number of stamps were printed in this distinctive shade early in the issue of the 1917 $1.00 stamp. During the course of the six years that the stamp was issued, all other printings were made in the Violet Brown shade. For some reason used examples of this shade are difficult to find with centering as nice as the example offered here.
Ex Rubin. With 1996 P.F. certificate.