Sale 1175 — The George "Buddy" Byers Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 8 March, 2018
Category — 1917-19 Issues (Scott 481-524)
1c-10c 1916-17 Coil Issue (486-490, 492-497). Mint N.H. joint line pairs, fresh and bright, virtually all Very Fine-Extremely Fine, all with certificates (three graded 85 or 90)
2c Lake, Ty. I (499h). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, fresh and Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Mint N.H. top plate no. F10209 block of six, selvage reduced, brilliant color in the distinctive shade of the Type Ia, bottom right stamp faint perf disc indentation, fresh and Fine
3c Light Violet, Ty. I (501). Mint N.H. left plate no. 8121 block of six, outstanding centering, rich color, usual natural gum bends, Extremely Fine plate block
4c Brown (503). Mint N.H. top plate no. 13571 block of six, beautiful color on post office fresh paper, Very Fine
5c Blue (504). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 10542 block of six, brilliant color, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, a premium quality top position plate block
5c Rose, Error (505). Single error in block of nine, natural s.e. at top, error Mint N.H., bottom right 2c stamp slightly disturbed gum, bright color, Very Fine
7c Black (507). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 10301 block of six, intense shade, nice centering and margins, Very Fine and choice
15c Gray (514). Bottom plate no. 13281 block of six, plate no. lightly printed, five stamps Mint N.H., top center stamp h.r., choice centering, Extremely Fine
20c Light Ultramarine (515). Wide top plate no. 6908 block of six, pos. 3 lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., wonderfully bright pastel color, Fine-Very Fine, scarce with the wide top margin, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
30c Orange Red (516). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 6899 block of six, vibrant color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
50c Red Violet (517). Wide top plate no. 13656 block of six, five stamps Mint N.H., top left faintly hinged, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, a lovely top position plate block
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 5782 and letter "A" block of six, fresh color, Very Fine and choice
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Block of six with part top imprint, plate no. 5782 and letter "A" top selvage, five stamps Mint N.H., pos. 6 small margin gum soak, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as singles without premium for the position
2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., bottom imprint and plate no. 4856 block of six, brilliant colorFRESH AND FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BOTTOM PLATE BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT WASHINGTON ISSUE, SCOTT 519.
This stamp was created in 1917 when a small excess supply of the imperforate, double-line watermarked 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 using the then current Perf 11 wheels and returned them to the New York City post office for public sale.
A Power Search review reveals how rare Scott 519 is in Mint N.H. plate block form. We have sold only three other unduplicated examples since keeping computerized records -- each a left plate block. This is the only Mint N.H. bottom plate block we have offered in any sale since 1993 and in all our Rarities sales dating to 1964. We have not offered a top position plate block in any gum condition.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate
$5.00 Deep Green & Black (524). Mint N.H. top arrow and double plate nos. 8179/8178 block of eight, selvage very slightly reduced, deep rich colorFINE-VERY FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 1918 $5.00 ISSUE.
This issue was printed from single frame (8178) and vignette (8179) plates