Sale 972 — The Laila Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 27-28 April, 2009
Category — 1880-83 American Bank Note Co. Soft Paper Special Printing (Scott 192-211D)
1c Dark Ultramarine, Special Printing (192). Without gum as issued, deep rich color on bright paperA FINE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our comprehensive census of Scott 192 (available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/192/192.pdf) contains a total of 25 copies of Scott 192. Of these, thirteen are reported to be sound.
Census No. 192-UNC-16. With 2005 P.F. certificate.
2c Black Brown, Special Printing (193). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and detailed impression, three unusually wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 193 contain 47 certified examples, of which almost half half faults (mostly thins). Of the sound examples, nearly all are centered to top or one side. The example offered here, with wide margins, should be considered desirable.
Unpublished Census No. 193-UNC-35. With 1975 and 2001 P.F. certificates
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (195). Without gum as issued, fresh and bright colorVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. FEWER THAN 30 ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Our recently updated census records contain 26 certified examples of Scott 195, an oddly low number. Some of the stamps submitted as the Special Printing, but certified as the regular issue, Scott 186, could in fact be Special Printing stamps (the two are difficult to tell apart). We record another three stamps which we feel are possibly Scott 195, despite previous P.F. certification.
Unpublished Census No. 195-CAN-22. Ex Chapin. With 1973 and 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $100,000.00)
7c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (196). Without gum as issued, brilliant color on white paper, choice centering with Jumbo margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE TWO OR THREE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 7-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 196 contain approximately 80 certified examples. It is the most common of the soft-paper Special Printings because the 7c was no longer in production in 1880 and, probably to some degree, because it can be easily identified since there is no regular issue on soft paper.
Unpublished Census No. 196-UNC-13. Ex T. Charlton Henry and Bayou. With 1975 and 2001 P.F. certificates
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (197). Without gum as issued, deep rich color, intense impression, choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 10-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING, AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. ONLY 30 ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 197 contain 30 certified examples. Of these, eight have faults, leaving only 22 sound or potentially sound examples (some have not been examined in many years). Perhaps one or two of the sound copies are as well-centered as the one offered here.
Unpublished Census No. 196-UNC-15. Ex Crocker and Drucker. With 1971, 1986 and 2002 P.F. certificate. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $115,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date.
12c Blackish Purple, Special Printing (198). Without gum as issued, detailed impression on fresh paper, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 12-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. PROBABLY FEWER THAN 75 COPIES EXIST.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 198 contain approximately 60 certified examples. Of these, fully one-third have small flaws (mostly thin spots).
Unpublished Census No. 198-UNC-40. Ex Vineyard. With 1948, 1990 and 2001 P.F. certificates
15c Orange, Special Printing (199). Without gum as issued, radiant color, accompanying certificate notes "light soiling" which we have difficulty locating, small thin spot at topFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY 36 ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our recent review of the records of the Philatelic Foundation found only 37 certified examples of Scott 199.
Unpublished Census No. 199-UNC-37. With 1999 P.F. certificate
24c Dark Violet, Special Printing (200). Without gum as issued, intense color and proof-like impression on brilliant paper, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. A PHENOMENAL STAMP.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 66 certified copies of Scott 200.
Unpublished Census No. 200-UNC-04. Ex Lilly and Vineyard. With 1992 P.S.E. and with 1972 and 1992 P.F. certificates.
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (201). Without gum as issued, bright color and detailed impression, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 201 contain approximately 45 certified examples.
Unpublished Census No. 201-UNC-26. Ex Chanin, Golin and Vineyard. With 1953 A.P.S., 1978 P.F. and 1999 P.F. certificates.
90c Dull Carmine, Special Printing (202). Without gum as issued, bright color, trivial natural inclusion not mentioned on either accompanying certificateVERY FINE AND CHOICE. APPROXIMATELY 40 EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTINGS ARE KNOWN TO EXIST.
The 90c 1880 Special Printing on soft paper is notorious for its condition (thins affect most of the known examples) and typically poor centering. This stamp is in a remarkable state of preservation.
Unpublished Census No. 201-UNC-32. Ex Sheriff and Vineyard. With 1971 and 2001 P.F. certificates
2c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (203). Without gum as issued, intense shade and impression, choice centering for this difficult issue, trivial slightly nibbed perf at rightVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. ONLY 20 ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, MANY OF WHICH ARE OFF CENTER.
Our census of Scott 203 (available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/203/203.pdf ) contains only 19 stamps which are available to collectors. The 20th copy is in the Miller collection at The New York Public Library. Five of the 19 available stamps have small faults or short perfs. Of the 14 remaining sound copies, we see only three others which rival the stamp offered here for centering and margins.
Census No. 203-UNC-17. Ex Hinrichs. With 1939 A.P.S. and 1989 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, almost perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 21 EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in the Chronicle, February 1992. His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Asst. PMG, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield.
Our census of Scott 205C (available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/205C/205C.pdf ) illustrates the 21 recorded examples (only three have faults).
Census No. 205C-UNC-13. Ex Vineyard. With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates
4c Deep Blue Green, Special Printing (211D). Without gum as issued, intense color and sharp proof-like impressionVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL SPECIAL PRINTINGS.
Our census of the 4c 1883 Special Printing (available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/211D/211D.pdf ) contains 26 stamps offered as No. 211D, of which 25 have been certified by The Philatelic Foundation. Post Office Department records indicate that only 26 were sold. Of the known copies, five have small faults.
Census No. 211D-UNC-11. Ex Caspary as the bottom left stamp in the original block of four. The block was broken shortly after the Caspary sale. With copy of 1954 (as block of four), 1966 and 2001 P.F. certificates.