Sale 1260 — 2022 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 28 June, 2022
Category — Special Delivery, Offices in China, Parcel Post
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Used with 2c Red Brown (210), tied by circular cork cancels and "Meriden Conn. Oct. 1 8AM" 1885 First Day of Issue circular datestamp on cover to Mr. Arthur C. Wheeler in Norwalk Conn., with original 1885-dated contents confirms this was first day of use as does note on cover "First letter bearing a special delivery stamp recd. at Norwalk Post Office" and signed by recipient, contents gives congratulations on a new baby, few toned spots around stampsVERY FINE. A RARE FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
Gobie records only six covers used on the first day of the new Special Delivery service. At least half are on postal stationery entires. The example offered here is offered to the market for the first time ever -- it is consigned by a descendant of the recipient.
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Tied by neat strike of "Atla. & M(?) Oct. 1 TR?6" 1885 First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and cork cancel on 2c Brown entire to New York, red "P.O. No. 628" at left, receiving backstamp, the yeardate is confirmed by records of use of the Special Delivery serial number, stamp with some toningVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE FIRST DAY USE OF THE FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP. THIS IS THE ONLY REPORTED FIRST DAY WITH A RAILWAY POST OFFICE DATESTAMP.
Gobie records only six covers used on the first day of the new Special Delivery service.
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Mint N.H. with bottom left corner selvage, radiant color, gigantic margins on the stamp itselfEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED CORNER-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 1893 10-CENT ORANGE SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The 10c Orange Special Delivery Issue was released concurrently with the 1893 Columbian Issue and is therefore considered by many to be a part of that issue. The stamp was printed in orange, instead of blue, to avoid confusion with the 1c Columbian.
With 2022 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and it is shared by no others. By way of comparison, the P.S.E. Population Report lists four Mint N.H. E3s at 95 and none higher.
$2.00 on $1.00 Violet Brown, Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Block of four, top stamps Mint N.H., bottom stamps with blue crayon and light pencil notation on gum, deep rich color, clear doubling of the surchargeFINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE ERROR, WITH TWO MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.
The Offices in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing. The top pair of this block contains the only two Mint N.H. examples of K16a we have offered since keeping computerized records 30 years ago.
Ex "Whitpain". Scott value as two Mint N.H. and two hinged singles.
$2.00 on $1.00 Violet Brown, Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Vertical pair, second surcharge close to first resulting in thick letters, bold strike of "U.S. Postal Service, Shanghai, China" circular datestamp, far better centering than normally seen on this issue, top stamp tiny picked-out natural inclusion not noted on certificateVERY FINE. A PHENOMENALLY RARE USED MULTIPLE OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE ERROR. VERY FEW MULTIPLES ARE KNOWN IN EITHER UNUSED OR USED CONDITION.
The Offices in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing. This stamp is far scarcer in used condition, and as a multiple it is extremely rare. A pair is known on cover, and we have offered only one other used pair (with Shanghai roller cancel) since keeping computerized records.
With 1981 P.F. certificate. Scott value as singles
$2.00 on $1.00 Violet Brown, Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Clear second surcharge, neat roller cancel from U.S. Post Office in ShanghaiFRESH AND FINE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE.
The Offices in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing. This stamp is far scarcer in used condition.
Ex Mizuhara.
15c Parcel Post (Q7). Mint N.H., brilliant color, crisp impression, essentially perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex Morton. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 98J and 100) and five others share this lofty grade.