Sale 1111 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 27-29 October, 2015
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 357-366)
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., marvelously well-centered, intensely rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ESPECIALLY HANDSOME ONE-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,500.00). Only one stamp grades higher (98J)
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., intense shade on deeply blued paper, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
1c Green, Bluish (357). Bottom imprint and plate no. 4889 block of six, narrow selvage but imprint complete, five stamps Mint N.H., deep rich color, natural gum bend bottom right stamp, Fine-Very Fine
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., extraordinarily wide and well-balanced margins, radiant colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE AND EYE-APPEALING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,400.00). This is the only example to grade Superb 98 with only three higher
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Bottom imprint, plate no. 5015 and star block of six, lightly hinged, fresh color, Fine
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Bottom imprint, plate no. 5016 and star block of six, lightly hinged, bright color on nicely blued paper, nibbed perf at upper left and slight gum soaked perf at right, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, ex Hall
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Mint N.H., rich color on deeply blued paper, attractive margins and centering, small natural inclusion is only faintly visible on frontVERY FINE AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
This stamp in Mint N.H. condition in any grade of centering is rare -- we have only offered about a half-dozen different examples since keeping computerized records.
With 1991 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Rich color and proof-like impression, characteristic strong watermarkFRESH AND VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish paper stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off center to some extent.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Intense shade, well-proportioned margins on deeply blued paperVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 2005 and 2011 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Lightly hinged, bold color, small thin, Fine appearance, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Block of four, top pair h.r., bottom pair Mint N.H. but both with small disturbance (as stated on accompanying certificate), top pair just slightly oxidized at top, otherwise Fine and scarce block, approximately a dozen plate blocks are known, as is a pane of 100, blocks are scarce, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged and Mint N.H. singles $8,500.00, as hinged block of four
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Lightly hinged, deep rich color on blued paper, centered to bottom right but perfs clear of design at all pointsFINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish paper stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives.
With 1960 P.F. (copy) and 2003 P.S.E. certificates
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vivid color which is unusually bright, deeply blued paper, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Ex Merlin. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $2,600.00). Only four have graded higher (all at 95)
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Faintly hinged, exceptionally strong color, Very Fine, with 1986 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Unused (regummed), bright color, Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as original gum
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Deep rich color, nicely centered, fresh and Very Fine, with 1962 (for block of four) and 2012 P.F. certificates
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Barely hinged, bright color, characteristic intense watermark, Very Fine, with 1981 (for block) and 2012 P.F. certificates
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). With plate no. 4949 selvage at bottom, lightly hinged, well-balanced margins, slight toning mostly evident in selvage, otherwise Very Fine, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate which does not mention toning
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Fresh and bright, right perfs barely touch, Fine
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Block of four with part imprint and plate no. 4949 selvage at right, top left stamp Mint N.H., bottom pair also Mint N.H. but both with tiny disturbance (as stated on accompanying certificate), top right stamp hinged, beautiful color on deeply blued paper, well-centered throughoutVERY FINE AND CHOICE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER WITH PLATE NUMBER AND PART IMPRINT.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as three hinged singles and one Mint N.H. with no premium for the positions