Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — Louisiana Purchase and Jamestown Issues (Scott 323-330)
1c Louisiana Purchase (323). H.r., perfect centering with Jumbo margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OG, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $250.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade), this is the highest grade awarded to a hinged stamp and the only example to achieve it
2c, 5c Louisiana Purchase (324, 326). 2c Mint N.H., 5c barely hinged, both with choice centering and rich colors, fresh and Extremely Fine, 2c with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $225.00), 5c with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $135.00 as 90, $230.00 as 95)
3c Louisiana Purchase (325). Mint N.H., beautiful deep color and proof-like impression, wide margins, almost perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex Whitman. With 1991 P.F. certificate for a block, with 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,750.00). Only one example has graded higher (at 98J)
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H., gorgeous color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $8,300.00). One has graded higher (at 100) and only four others share this grade.
1c Jamestown (328). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $675.00)
2c Jamestown (329). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins of a size almost unheard of for this issue, choice centering, brilliant color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT JAMESTOWN, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER AND NO OTHERS SHARE THIS GRADE.
The Jamestown Issue is notorious for its tight spacing and narrow margins, which causes most copies to be off-center to some degree and nearly all to lack anything approaching Jumbo margins. Only one stamp among all three denominations has been graded 100, and this is one of only three in any condition throughout the set to achieve a 98J grade (others are Mint N.H. 1c and 5c).
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,500.00 as 98)
5c Jamestown (330). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression on fresh paper, unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1989 P.F. (for block) and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,300.00), only four have graded higher