Sale 1106 — 2015 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 25 June, 2015
Category — 1902-08 Issue and Later Issues
50c Orange (310). Mint N.H., absolutely perfect centering within very wide margins, striking vibrant color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1902 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO ANY MINT NEVER-HINGED SCOTT 310 BY PROFESSIONAL STAMP EXPERTS.
Anyone who has been building a gem, never-hinged set of the 1902 Issue will immediately recognize the rarity of the 50c value in such superlative quality. It is one of the most challenging of the series to find both never-hinged and with perfect centering. This is confirmed by the fact that out of 52 never-hinged examples of Scott No. 310 submitted to the P.S.E. for grading, only this example achieved the lofty grade of Superb 98. Quite likely this is the finest never-hinged example in existence.
With 1998 P.F., 2010 P.S.E. and 2014 P.S.A.G. certificates (latter two grading Superb 98; SMQ $24,000.00)
1c Blue Green, Coil (318). Pair, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 318.
With 1963, 1977 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ). The "XQ" in the grade is used for stamps of extraordinary quality.
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Vertical Pair, San Francisco Roulette (319r; formerly 319e). Vertical strip of three, top pair the error, lightly hinged, radiant colorVERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT SHIELD ISSUE WITH SAN FRANCISCO ROULETTES.
There are three distinct imperforate errors in the 1908 2c Shield Issue, listed in Scott as Nos. 319d (imperf horizontally), 319e (imperf between) and 319r (rouletted between). The imperforate-horizontally multiples (Scott 319d) come from a block of 25 purchased from the Washington D.C. post office. All known examples of Scott 319d are printed in a deeper shade of Carmine than 319e or the San Francisco Roulette.
The rouletted multiples come from a small number of sheets received by the San Francisco postmaster that were missing a line of perforations between the first and second rows at top. Rather than destroy or return the problem sheets, the postmaster applied his own roulette for separation. The existence of top position blocks confirms the position of the error stamps in the sheet.
With 1994 P.F. certificate. This is the first we have offered since our 1998 Rarities sale.
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Pair, lightly hinged, brilliant color, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE SOUND PAIR OF THE 2-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL.
Issued on July 31, 1908, and intended only to be used by private vending machine companies, Scott 322 is only known with the Die II widened line at lower left.
With 1949 A.P.S. and 1982, 2001 and 2008 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. II (344). Pair with paste-up at right, tied by "Hudson Term. Sta. N.Y. Aug. 13 2:30PM 1912" machine cancel on legal-size Foye-Fox Contracting Engineers return address cover to New York City address, marked "Personal", some slight cover wrinklingVERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT CARMINE TYPE II U.S. AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE PERFORATION ON COVER. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE AS A PASTE-UP PAIR.
It is believed that only six covers are known.
5c Blue, Coil (355). Neat wavy-line machine cancel, outstanding centering with wide margins, deep rich color and sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 355, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). A total of seven used examples have been graded by the P.S.E. This example is the highest grade awarded with only one other sharing this exalted grade.
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Pair, lightly hinged, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE 10-CENT COIL, SCOTT 356, WITH BOTH STAMPS WELL-CENTERED. TRULY A CONDITION RARITY.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $10,000.00). Only one pair has graded higher (at 95) and only three others share this grade.
1c-10c Panama-Pacific, Panama-Pacific Small Die Proofs on Wove (397P2a-400AP2a). Large margins, bright colors, a bit of the faint toning that is a hallmark of genuine Panama Pacific proofsEXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENALLY RARE COMPLETE SET OF PANAMA-PACIFIC SMALL DIE PROOFS OF THE PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY SET WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE. A RARITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.
From February 20 to December 4, 1915, the Panama-Pacific Exposition was held in San Francisco, to commemorate Balboa's discovery of the Pacific Ocean and to celebrate the opening of the mankind's greatest engineering achievement, the Panama Canal.
A series of commemorative stamps were created to promote the exposition, depicting Balboa (1c), the locks at the Panama Canal (2c), the Golden Gate (5c) and Discovery of San Francisco Bay (10c). These were released in 1913 as Perf 12, and again in 1914-15 as Perf 10 stamps.
Separately, the Post Office Department decided to prepare a limited number of proof sets showing every United States stamp printed up to the time of the Exposition. A total of 413 different designs were made. Only two sets were officially prepared, but it is widely recognized that between 3 and 5 of each were made. These included Officials, Newspapers and Periodicals, Philippines and other special use stamps.
As part of the special proof set, the Post Office Dept. included the new Panama-Pacific designs, which had just been issued. We know of no other sets, and we have not seen any other individual values offered.
3c Violet, Coil (456). Mint N.H. pair, rich color on bright paper, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE 1916 3-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 456.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,650.00). Only three have graded higher (all 98) and two others share this grade.
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering, huge and well-balanced margins, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB JUMBO EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 10 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK $1.00 FRANKLIN IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES EXTANT.
Even though this issue is not particularly rare, collectors who have been searching know the extreme difficulty of obtaining examples with such perfect centering and in such pristine condition. With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ $13,750.00 for 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to reach this exalted grade
5c Carmine, Error (467). Mint N.H., choice centering with wide and balanced margins, perforations intact with significant portion of all eight adjoining stamps (incl. five showing 2c denomination)EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 10 5-CENT ERROR.
With 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
20c Light Ultramarine, Perf 10 at Top (515d). Rich color and detailed impression, bold strike of New York oval registry cancel, light diagonal crease at bottom rightVERY 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.
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 brushstroke and one with a boxed cancel. This is the finest of the three.
Census No. 515d-CAN-01. Ex Twigg-Smith and Natalee Grace. With 1992 and 2001 P.F. certificates.
2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PERF 11 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARKED ISSUE, SCOTT 519. A RARE STAMP IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
This stamp was created in 1917 when a small excess supply of the imperforate Scott 344 was returned by the New York City post office to the Bureau for credit. Rather than issue the credit, the Bureau perforated the sheets and returned them to the New York City post office for public sale.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,250.00). Only three have graded higher (all at 98) and only five others share this grade.
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Used with $1.00 1917, 50c 1922 and 5c Aeronautics, tied by New York oval and Aug. 6, 1929 slogan machine cancel on Graf Zeppelin round-the-world flight cover to Montclair N.J., Lakehurst N.J. special machine cancel on back, couple nibbed perfs at top of $2.00VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK ON A FLOWN ZEPPELIN COVER.
Ex Siskin, Dr. Martin and Bakwin. Scott Retail $2,000.00 for $2.00 on cover ($550.00 for Scott 518 on cover)
10c Orange, Transitional Perf 10 at Bottom (562c). Original gum, brilliant colorFINE. ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT 1922 ISSUE PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM VARIETY AND ONE OF ONLY THREE WITH ORIGINAL GUM. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL PERF 10 ON ONE SIDE VARIETIES IN UNUSED CONDITION.
Our census records of Scott 562c contain only four unused examples. One was offered in our 1990 Rarities sale and described as "Mint." Another was offered in our 2010 Rarities sale and is without gum. The third was offered in our sale of the "Sirron" Collection. It has original gum and a perf indentation. In addition, we record 12 used singles and two used pairs. Of the used examples contained in our records, only five singles and one pair are sound.
Census No. 562c-OG-03. P.S.E. encapsulated. Scott Retail as "Fine"
2c Grand Canyon, Imperforate (741 var). Bottom plate no. 21261 block of 20 with part arrow, most stamps Mint N.H., h.r. at top right corner where sensibly sealing tear which is mostly in margin, radiant color, two scissors-cuts in margin at bottom right, small tear just below plate no., few natural gum bends and creasesVERY FINE. THE UNIQUE PLATE BLOCK OF THE REGULARLY-ISSUED 2-CENT NATIONAL PARKS IMPERFORATE. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
The 2c National Parks issue is listed in Scott as imperforate horizontally (Scott 741a) and imperforate vertically (Scott 741b). According to Johl, one pane was found completely imperforate. Johl also notes "For quite some time prior to the issuance of the Park stamps, most of the stamps printed at the Bureau had been prepared on the rotary press and perforated on the special perforators. Most of the help who had previously worked on the flat bed perforators had been transferred to other departments. The sudden demand for flat plate perforating necessitated recalling the personnel to the perforating department and it was some time before they again reached their former efficiency."
This great rarity should not be confused with the imperforate Farley reprints, some of which were gummed -- this plate number was not used for those later issues.
With 1935 A.P.S. certificate submitted by John B. Thayer of Philadelphia and signed by Eugene Costales, George B. Sloane and J. M. Bartels. With 1982 P.F. certificate. Unlisted in Scott.