Sale 1202 — The James Depew Collection of Superb U.S. Coils and 20th Century Imperforate Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 May, 2019
Category — 1918-20 Offset Imperforate Issue (Scott 533-534B)
2c Carmine, Ty. V, Imperforate (533). Jumbo margins all around including wide top plate no. 11260 sheet margin, bold Benton Harbor duplex datestamps, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced as 100J, SMQ $1,000.00 as 100), the highest grade possible and it is shared by only six others
2c Carmine, Ty. V, Imperforate (533). Horizontal pair, huge Jumbo margins with portions of all adjoining stamps, neat wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, this is scarce because unlike the earlier Washington-Franklin imperforates, there are not many used imperforate multiples from which a superb pair with these dimensions can be harvested, ex Kirke, with 1991, 1992 and 2005 P.F. certificates, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $2,250.00 as 100), this is the only used pair of Scott 533 at this highest of grades
2c Carmine, Ty. Va, Imperforate (534). Vertical pair with horizontal guide line, huge margins all around with portions of six adjoining stamps, bold New York duplex datestamp cancels with 1920 yeardate, Extremely Fine Gem, much scarcer used in this condition than unused, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. VI, Imperforate (534A). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins including wide right plate no. 11710 margin, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in 100J grade, SMQ $500.00 as 100), this is one of only five to achieve this ultimate grade
2c Carmine, Ty. VI, Imperforate (534A). Huge even margins all around including parts of six adjoining stamps, neat strike of 1920 Benton Harbor Mich. circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Helton, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $425.00), the highest grade recorded and the only stamp that has achieved this exalted grade, SMQ is very low since this realized $1,200 hammer when it was last sold in 2018
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Mint N.H., huge balanced margins, perfect color and impression on crisp white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Most Type VII stamps were used by private vending and affixing-machine companies. However, unlike Scott 314A and 482A, a small supply of the imperforate 2c Type VII stamps did reach the public.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,750.00). Only one grades higher (at 100) and only two others share this desirable grade.
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Mint N.H. vertical pair with horizontal guide line, huge margins including wide right margin with full arrow, vivid color, absolutely pristineEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND VERY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED POSITION PAIR OF THE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Most Type VII stamps were used by private vending and affixing-machine companies. However, unlike Scott 314A and 482A, a small supply of the imperforate 2c Type VII stamps did reach the public. Mint N.H. pairs do not come to market very often. The guide line and arrow pair offered here is particularly choice. We are not sure why it does not grade 98J.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $9,250.00 for normal pair). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Huge margins including right sheet margin which nicely captures the circular datestamp portion of the "Oak Park Ill. Feb. 5 7-PM 1922" machine cancel, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the scarce 2c offset Ty. VII imperforate, with 2002 and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95), with 1998 and 2018 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,000.00), only two grade higher and only two others share this grade, we have offered both of the other 95's and neither compares favorably to this example or has the sheet margin
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Horizontal pair with guide line at center, huge even margins all around, brilliant color, smudgy strike of oval duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE USED PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE OFFSET STAMP, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO A USED PAIR.
Our informal review of auction catalogues and the records of the Philatelic Foundation found four blocks of four and nine pairs, of which only four are sound. The sound example offered here is one of only two used pairs we have offered since keeping computerized records.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,000.00). This is one of only two used pairs in this grade, with none higher
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Block of four with huge 25mm right sheet margin, large margins other sides, intense shade and impression clearly showing the Ty. VII characteristics, bold strikes of "Chicago Ill. Hyde Park Sta. Dec. 27, 1921 9 AM" duplex cancels, some slight wrinkling which is not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE USED SHEET-MARGIN BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT TYPE VII OFFSET IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
Our informal review of auction catalogues and the records of the Philatelic Foundation found four blocks of four and nine pairs, of which only four are sound. This is the only block we have offered since our 2001 Twigg-Smith sale.
Ex Curtis. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ). The Scott Catalogue prices two used pairs higher than a used block -- which is considerably rarer. Scott Retail as two used pairs