Sale 1094 — The Curtis Collection: Back of Book and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 March, 2015
Category — Postal Stationery and Postal Cards (Scott U, UX, UZ)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
315
3c Red on White entire, Die 3 (U5, UPSS 8). Size 7, knife 20, watermark 1, clear strike of blue Charlottesville Va. circular datestamp, couple slight edge tears at top, Fine and scarce
850
160
316
3c Red on White entire, Die 4 (U7; UPSS 10). Size 2, knife 2, watermark 1, cancelled by ms. Burlington Mass, Nov. 22 and addressed to Williamstown, VT, tiny edge nick at top right corner, certificate mentions slight soiling which is insignificant, the indicia is uncancelled, which could produce an unused cut square that catalogues $5,000.00
325
1,100
Back to Top317
3c + 1c Red & Blue on Buff entire, Die 14 (U29; UPSS 60). Size 7, knife 20, watermark 1, unused, fresh and crisp, Very Fine
700
275
Back to Top318
10c Green on White, Star Die entire, Die 11 (U32; UPSS 64). Size 7, Knife 20, Watermark 1, unused, a few tiny toned specks mentioned for strict accuracy (and not mentioned on the clear certificate)VERY FINE. IT IS BELIEVED LESS THAN TEN ENTIRES EXIST.
Ex Wunsch. With 2013 P.F. certificate
10,000
2,900
Back to Top319
10c Green on Buff, Star Die entire, Die 11 (U33: UPSS 65). Die 11, Size 7, knife 20, watermark 1, unused with red Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank and with blue "Victoria Paid V.I." handstamp, exceptionally fresh and crisp, trivial printing wrinkle at left on the front paper only, Very Fine, a rare entire, ex Bleuler
3,250
1,300
Back to Top320
3c Pink on Orange entire, Die 15 (U37; UPSS 84). Size 7, knife 20, watermark 0, unused, bright color, certificate notes a faint hinge mark in centerVERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT PINK ON ORANGE ENTIRE, SCOTT U37.
The 2012 UPSS catalogue reports "up to 12 may exist". With 2007 P.F. certificate
5,500
1,500
Back to Top321
40c Black & Red on Buff entire, Die 21 (U45; UPSS 101). Size 24, Knife 120, watermark 1, unused, bright and crisp, Very Fine
700
700
Back to Top322
2c Black on Orange entire, Die 23 (U49; UPSS 107). Size 7, knife 24u, watermark 1, unused, top half slightly toned, Very Fine appearance, Porter Venn notes that a maximum of fifteen exist for both UPSS Nos. 106 and 107, with 1985 P.F. certificate
4,000
650
Back to Top323
12c Brown on Buff entire, Die 29 (U68; UPSS 137). Size 21, with Wells, Fargo & Co. type WF-G1 frank, cancelled by magenta Wells, Fargo & Co. Aug. 8, 1883 oval, small thin on reverse and faint crease at bottom right, Very Fine, a rare used entire, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
1,200
300
Back to Top324
90c Carmine on Amber entire, Die 44 (U106; UPSS 251). Size 21, knife 98, watermark 2, cancelled by Rahaway, N.J., Dec 24, 1901 machine duplex and sent to Dresden, Germany (backstamped), slightly reduced at left and vertical file fold not affecting indicia or markings, Fine appearance, a very rare used high denomination entire, the first we have offered since keeping computerized records
4,500
500
Back to Top325
1c Dark Blue on White entire, Die 46 (U108; UPSS 254). Size 4-1/2, knife 49, watermark 2, Type 12, cancelled by "Danbury Conn. May 19" circular datestamp and target and used locally, trivial edge tears at top and missing tiny portion of top flap, Very Fine, ex Barkhausen, signed Bartels who noted that "This is the only known Type 12 on white"
E. 200-300
0
Back to Top326
3c Green on Blue entire, Die 58 (U170; UPSS 451). Size 10, knife 54, watermark 5, cancelled by cork, "Burlington Vt. Mar. 7, 1882" circular datestamp, addressed to West Boyleston Mass., some edgewearVERY FINE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1881 3-CENT GREEN ON BLUE ENTIRE. BARKHAUSEN CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A "CLASSIC" 19TH CENTURY RARITY.
Porter Venn records only one unused entire. He also states that there may be 10-15 used entires from a Burlington Vt. find. One is also known with a Tell City Ind. corner card.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
4,250
850
Back to Top327
7c Vermilion on Amber entire, Die 63 (U186 var; UPSS 537). Size 7, knife 28, watermark 2, unused, faintly toned except on vertical band, Very Fine appearance, an extremely rare and elusive variety, this issue is normally found with knife 30 (UPSS 538a), only 6 mint examples with knife 28 are reported in UPSS catalog, we have not offered another since keeping computerized records, UPSS value
2,000
500
Back to Top328
10c Brown on Oriental Buff entire, Die 65 (U191 var; UPSS 574). Size 25, knife 123, watermark 7, unused, bright shade, inconsequential small tear on flap, Very Fine and extremely rare with only two reported in UPSS catalog, ex Mason, Barkhausen (with his backstamp) and Todd, UPSS value
2,000
2,100
Back to Top329
90c Carmine, entire (U211). Cancelled by cork, purple "Sta. No. 164, New York N.Y. Registered Apr. 28, 1908" double-circle datestamp, used to Zittau, Germany, registry label and two-line "Received at New York P.O. (Foreign Sta.) in Bad Condition" handstamp, edge splitting mended with four Perf 12 Official Seals (OX11), back with Cosmopolitan Correspondence Club, Milwaukee Wis. seal, multiple strikes of New York registry handstamp, Zittau receiving datestamp, nice condition for an Official Seal cover, Very Fine and rare use
E. 500-750
600
Back to Top330
2c Red on Amber entire, Die 78 (U248; UPSS 753). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 6, "Oberlin O. Nov. 14" duplex cancel with Citizens National Bank, Oberlin O. return address, small surface scrapes and backflap reattached, otherwise Very Fine, scarce entire, with 2000 P.F. certificate, UPSS value $2,500.00
1,650
190
Back to Top331
Wells, Fargo & Co. Mexican Frank. Green printed frank (Haller WF-M18) on legal-size 4c Green entire (U254) to Cuidad de Mexico, "Wells, Fargo & Co. El Paso, Texas Nov. 25, 1891" oval datestamp, receiving backstamp, vertical fold, slightly toned, otherwise Fine, very rare in used condition
E. 400-500
325
Back to Top332
2c Brown on Fawn entire, Die 78 (U276; UPSS 758). Size 7, knife 31, watermark 6, unused, bright color, printed return address, fresh and Very Fine, UPSS catalog notes that probably less than ten entires exist, UPSS value $1,800.00
1,250
425
Back to Top333
2c Brown on White entire, Die 82 (U288; UPSS 853). Size 6, knife 19, watermark 6, unused, rich color, light toning band on back, Very Fine, this entire is scarcer than the size 7, watermark 7 UPSS 854 offered in our Saddleback and Scarsdale sales, UPSS value $1,100.00
700
500
Back to Top334
2c Brown on Blue entire, Die 82 (U290; UPSS 857). Size 6, knife 19, watermark 6, unused, printed return address, Very Fine and quite scarce, UPSS value $2,400.00
1,750
750
Back to Top335
30c Red Brown, Yellow Brown on Amber entires (U336, U337a). Each legal-size, registered uses from Hampstead N.H. to London and from Troy O. to Transvaal, Africa, New York registry labels, minor edgewear and cover to Africa with some pen enhanced lettering in the Troy registered handstamp, Very Fine appearance
950
400
Back to Top336
90c Pale Purple on White entire, Die 70 (U342; UPSS 1123a). Size 25, knife 123, watermark 7, cancelled by New York oval, 1911 registered use to Berlin, Germany, Very Fine, scarce use, UPSS value $1,500.00
1,050
650
Back to Top337
90c Purple on Amber Manilla entire, Die 70 (U347; UPSS 1131). Size 21, knife 100, watermark 7, cancelled by purple target, 1902 registered use from Troy O. to Transvaal, Africa, New York registry label, London transit, slight edgewear, Fine and unusual use, UPSS value $1,500.00
1,050
950
Back to Top338
2c Violet on Creamy White, Columbian Entire, Die 95C (U349 var; UPSS 1154). Size 8, knife 38, watermark 11, unused, fresh and Extremely Fine, this size 8 knife 38 entire is very scarce, the UPSS catalog reports one mint example with an estimate of up to six in existence, UPSS value
1,500
1,700
Back to Top339
1c Green on Brown Wrapper, Unglazed on Both Sides, Die 127A (W428A; UPSS 2141). Knife 9, unwatermarked, New York double oval cancel, used to Lemon City Fla., Very Fine and extremely rare, ex Floyd, with 2000 P.F. certificate and two Bill Maisel notes stating that this is the listing copy for the Postal Stationery catalog, UPSS value as unused $4,000.00 (unpriced as used), Scott Retail as used
3,000
475
Back to Top340
2c on 2c Carmine on Blue entire, Die 120E, Surcharge Ty. 3 (U453B; UPSS 2815). Size 10, knife 58, watermark 19, unused, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT ON 2-CENT CARMINE ON BLUE ENTIRE, SCOTT U453B. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
Ex Barkhausen with his backstamp. UPSS value $4,500.00
3,750
2,100
Back to Top341
2c on 4c Black on White entire, Die 124B, Surcharge Ty. 3 (U463A; UPSS 2816). Size 23, knife 106, watermark 19, unused, fresh and pristine, Extremely Fine, a rare entire, we have not offered another full entire since our 2007 Saddleback sale, the Scarsdale collection contained a full corner, with 2000 P.F. certificate, UPSS value $2,500.00
1,600
750
Back to Top342
2c on 2c Carmine on White entire, Die 140(H), Surcharge Ty. 4 (U466Ae, UPSS 2940 or 2942). Size 10, knife 57, watermark 22 or 23?, unused, Very Fine, UPSS value $1,875.00
1,350
325
Back to Top343
2c on 3c Dark Violet entires, Surcharges Ty. 5, 6, 7 (U476, U478-U479). One of each, unused, first two with return address corner card, Very Fine, U478 with 2013 P.F. certificate
1,425
450
Back to Top344
1-1/2c on 1c Green on White entire of 1899, Die 98, Surcharge Ty. 8 (U488; UPSS 3080). Size 7, knife 34, watermark 13, unused, bright color, Very Fine, backstamp, UPSS value $1,300.00
850
300
Back to Top345
1-1/2c on 2c Carmine on Oriental Buff and Blue, entires (U503-U504). Unused, radiant paper colors, Very Fine
1,000
500
Back to Top346
1-1/2c on 1c Green on White entire, Die 106, Surcharge Ty. 9 (U508A, UPSS 3185). Size 8, knife 41, watermark 13, unused, bright colorVERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1-1/2-CENT ON ONE-CENT ENTIRE, SCOTT U508A. ONLY EIGHTEEN ARE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN SURCHARGED AND THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED.
We have only offered one other full entire since keeping computerized records, in our 2007 sale of the Saddleback Collection. That example had a small backflap tear and a light stain. The Scarsdale collection contained a full corner.
With 2008 P.F. certificate. UPSS value $7,000.00
5,750
2,300
Back to Top347
6c on 5c Carmine on White entire, Air Post (UC23; unlisted in UPSS). Size 13, knife 78, watermark 41, unused, bright color, Very Fine and choice, scarce, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1,500
750
Back to Top348
Postal Stationery Collection, 1853-1975 (U1/U580). Outstanding large collection of many hundreds of used and unused entires in four thick National albums, many better items with Scott Retail values in the $200.00-$600.00 range, most of the better items found in the first album which contains numerous Wells Fargo imprints on both used and unused entires, also one unused with a Confederate Official imprint, lots of inexpensive entires as well, but quite a few will be found that Mr. Curtis purchased in the $100-$300 range as individual lots at auction, collection also includes Air Post and Officials, some flaws to be found especially on the used but overall the condition is quite nice, worth careful review, owner's Scott Retail more than $30,000.00
E. 5,000-7,500
5,250
Back to Top349
Postal Stationery, Earliest Documented Uses (U50/U515). Approximately 80 entires, all or nearly all with A.P.S. certificates (circa 2004) stating Earliest Documented Use, a check of many revealed that they are still listed as such in Scott but it is possible some may have been superseded, some flaws to be expected with used entires but overall Fine-Very Fine, a fascinating group which would be difficult to duplicate, most ex Berkun, the cost of the certs alone was probably more than $2,000
E. 1,500-2,000
0
Back to Top350
Postal Stationery "Specimen" Collection (U79/UO39). More than 100 entires with "Specimen" ovpts., wide range of formats and styles, including a couple Universal Postal Union ovpts., some Officials, fresh and Very Fine collection
E. 750-1,000
1,300
Back to Top351
Postal Card Collection (UX1/UZ1). In a Scott album, range of used and unused cards from UX1 (used) thru 1970's, decent coverage less the rare items, does include a used UX27D, Paid Reply cards, Air Post, Official (UZ1, couple light toning spots on back, Scott Retail $800.00), PS2, overall Very Fine collection, Scott Retail for only about 12 better items more than $1,800.00
E. 500-750
400
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