Sale 1116 — United States Stamps and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 16-17 December, 2015
Category — 1902-08 thru Louisiana Purchase Issues (Scott 300-327)
2c Carmine, Booklet Pane of Six (301c). Position D with plate no. 1689 at top right, well-centered with wide margins, four bold strikes of New York registry oval cancellation, perf separations sensibly reinforced at topVERY FINE CENTERING AND AN EXTREMELY RARE USED BOOKLET PANE -- OF EVEN GREATER RARITY WITH THE PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE.
According to Johl, the proofs of this stamp were considered masterpieces, but when the stamp was issued in red using the wet paper printing method it was widely criticized. Washington's nose was excessively red and the details of the design were lost. The New York Times wrote that "if not labelled Washington it could be taken for Adams, Madison or Monroe". Faced with such criticism the Post Office Department rushed a replacement stamp into use -- the 2c Shield issue (Scott 319 and 320) -- less than nine months later.
Our census of used Scott 301c, available at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/301c/301c.pdf , includes six with full tabs and an additional three without tabs.
13c Purple Black (308). Mint N.H., exceedingly well-centered within Jumbo margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a pristine example, ex Pietsch and Killien, with 1988 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $950.00)
50c Orange (310). Balanced margins, bright color, well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 1994 P.S.E. certificate
50c Orange (310). H.r., vibrant color, wide and balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $450.00)
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). H.r., rich color, tiny thin speck at top right, Very Fine appearance
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Single hinge mark at top, detailed impression, short perf at bottom, otherwise Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Choice wide margins and well-centered, purple straightline cancel, Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp with an unusual cancel, the dollar-value early Bureau issues normally have heavy registry cancels, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00 as normal cancel)
1c Blue Green, Imperforate (314). Mint N.H., enormous margins with parts of all eight adjoining stamps, rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $450.00 as 100, unpriced in 100 Jumbo grade)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., rich color on post-office fresh paper, large margins, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $850.00)
5c Blue, Coil (317). Paste-up single, lightly hinged, rich color, Jumbo exceptionally well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY RARE CENTERED JUMBO PASTE-UP SINGLE OF THE 1908 5-CENT VERTICAL COIL.
With 1979 P.F. certificate for a pair. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $8,500.00 as a 90, unpriced in any higher grade). This is the highest grade awarded to any Scott 317, either in single or pair format. Only four others have even been considered worthy of submitting for grading and none have equaled this superb example.
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Booklet Pane of Six (319g). Position D with plate no. 4106 at top right, brilliant color, neat strikes of "Titusville Pa." boxed cancels, fresh and Fine, a rare complete used pane and particularly desirable with the plate number, ex Collier, Kirke and Bakwin, with 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates
2c Scarlet, Ty. I, Imperforate (320b). Mint N.H., massive margins all around showing significant portions of all eight adjoining stamps, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, perfect in every way, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90)
1c Louisiana Purchase (323). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $700.00)
5c Louisiana Purchase (326). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 2100 block of six, bottom stamps natural gum wrinkles, tiny flaw in margin between pos. 1 and 2, otherwise Fine
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H., balanced margins, deep rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 1987 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ)