Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — 1922-1930's Issues (Scott 551-834a)
2c Carmine, Perf 10 at Bottom (554d). Wide margins and attractively centered, light circular datestamp, thin spotsVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT 1922 ISSUE PERF 10 AT BOTTOM.
Our census of Scott 554d, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/554d , contains 22 used singles, a used block of four, five covers and five unused examples (three contained in the unique plate block).
Census no. 554d-CAN-11. Ex Brett. With 2021 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Perf 10 at Top (554d). Choice centering, tied by light strike of “Gregory Mich. Sep. ?” duplex datestamp on cover to C. E. Brooks, Marshall Mich., blue “Test” handstamp at left with manuscript “15440 Boys Cured 2/10/14”, also 1923 receiving handstamp, with original contents inquiring about a patented medical device to cure the sender’s daughter the same as her son had previously been cured, also with copy of typed response -- probably one of Marshall’s infamous fraudsters -- slightly reduced at rightVERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FIVE COVERS WITH THE 1922 2-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS. A GREAT 20TH CENTURY COVER RARITY.
Our census of Scott 554d, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/554d , lists approximately 22 used singles and stamps in precancelled blocks, five on separate covers and five unused examples (three contained in the unique plate block).
Census no. 554d-COV-23. With 2009 P.F. certificate
4c Yellow Brown (556). Mint N.H., bright color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $250.00)
4c Yellow Brown, Perf 10 at Bottom (556b). Unused (no gum), rich colorFINE. THIS IS A NEW DISCOVERY OF THE EXTREMELY RARE 4-CENT MARTHA WASHINGTON PERFORATED 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM. ONLY 11 ARE RECORDED IN THE SIEGEL CENSUS.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 556b, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/556b , contains four unused (one in a block of six with five normal stamps) and six used examples.
Census no. 556b-UNC-04. With 2019 P.S.E. certificate. The Scott values for this issue make little sense. Despite the used examples outnumbering the unused, Scott prices the used at $22,500.00 and the unused at $3,500.00. This is no doubt because no unused examples have sold in since 2000 (when an unused example realized $3,250.00).
6c Red Orange (558). Mint N.H., fiery color on post-office fresh paper, mathematically precise centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PERFECT 6-CENT 1922 ISSUE GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $2,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only five others
14c Blue (565). Mint N.H., precise centering and wide margins, intense color and sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 14-CENT AMERICAN INDIAN ISSUE, SCOTT 565, GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE AND THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE IT.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ in this grade, SMQ $525.00 as 100). This is highest grade possible on the grading chart and it is the only example to achieve it
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H. with plate no. F14327 top selvage, Jumbo margins and near mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT JUMBO MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1922 ISSUE.
Every stamp of the 1922 Issue except the 5c and 9c has at least one example graded Gem 100. For the $5.00 top value, only two examples grade Gem 100 (one of them realized $10,500 hammer in our 2014 Rarities sale) and this is the only example graded Superb 98 Jumbo. The plate number selvage adds to its desirability.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H., bright colors on post-office fresh paper, essentially perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,000.00), only three grade higher (one at 98J, two at 100)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H. top arrow and double plate no. block of eight, radiant colors, choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE $5.00 1922 ISSUE.
This is one of the best-centered plate blocks of this issue we have ever encountered.
$5.00 Carmine Lake & Dark Blue (573a). Mint N.H., marvelously well-centered, deep vibrant colors, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,400.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only seven others, this is the only example we have offered since 2010
1c Green, Coil (597). Mint N.H., bright shade and paper, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $175.00), only three grade higher (at 100)
2c White Plains Souvenir Sheet (630). Mint N.H., lower left position from plate 18773 showing dot over "S" variety, fresh color, crisp and intact, Very Fine and choice
2c Carmine, Ty. II (634A). Mint N.H., well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1979 P.F. certificate
3c Violet (635). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, strong color, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $285.00)
2c Red Cross (702). Block of four with red cross shifted significantly upwards on all four stamps, well into the perforations, two stamps minor h.r.VERY FINE. THIS IS THE LARGEST SHIFT OF THE 2-CENT RED CROSS ISSUE WE HAVE EVER OFFERED. A SPECTACULAR VARIETY.
A Power Search review found no other shifts on this issue matching the dramatic into-the-perfs shift of the red cross offered here
2c Red Cross (702 var). Unused (no gum), Red Cross virtually omitted, just a trace of red specks present next to the hand of "The Greatest Mother", top right corner torn off, a striking variety which came about due to a paper fold (explains the corner being weakened and breaking off), this is about as close to the Red Cross Omitted (702a, Scott value $40,000.00) as we have encountered, accompanied by a series of 1931 letters between Scott Stamp & Coin Co. and the discoverer, including a plea to buy the variety, also accompanied by the Oct. 1931 Scott's Monthly Journal discussing the stamp
3c Purple, Coil (722). Mint N.H. joint line pair, essentially perfect centering, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $425.00), this is the highest grade awarded to an unused line pair
20c Presidential (825). Mint N.H. with bottom left corner plate number 22176, Very Fine, this is almost assuredly the rarest plate number in 20th Century U.S. philately, perhaps rivaled only by one of the 1954 8c Liberty combination plate blocks, we cannot recall seeing this rare plate number offered at public auction in recent years, Durland value $3,500.00 for plate block
$1.00 Presidential (832). Lightly hinged with bottom selvage, showing dramatic shift of frame to top with "United States Postage" completely missing, Very Fine and striking shift, we have offered a handful of examples of this issue with strong vignette or frame shifts, but this is one of the most dramatic we have encountered
$1.00 Presidential (832). Mint N.H., showing dramatic shift of frame to top with "United States Postage" printed at bottom, Very Fine and striking shift, we have offered a handful of examples of this issue with strong vignette or frame shifts, but this is one of the most dramatic we have encountered
$5.00 Presidential (834). Mint N.H. top arrow and double plate no. block of four, radiant colors, Very Fine and choice, ex "Saddleback"
$5.00 Red Brown & Black (834a). Mint N.H., deep colors, beautifully centered, certificate notes a narrow natural gum skip at topEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE COLOR VARIETY.
Signed in pencil by Sloane on back. With 2011 P.F. certificate