Sale 1231 — The James P. Myerson Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 February, 2021
Category — 1908-10 Washington-Franklin Issues (Scott 331-356)
1c Green (331). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, post-office fresh color and paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $1,250.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
2c Carmine (332). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,150.00), one of only five at the Gem 100 grade (four of the five are 100J)
4c Orange Brown (334). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering within lavish margins, brilliant color and clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 4-CENT PERF 12 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE, WITH THE PERFECT P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $4,500.00). This is the only example of Scott 334 to grade Gem 100 (there is also one 100J)
5c Blue (335). Mint N.H., deep rich color on fresh paper, essentially perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 5-CENT WASHINGTON, SCOTT 335, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Golden Oak" and "Hanover". With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others.
6c Red Orange (336). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, near perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT JUMBO EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 336, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1981, 1996 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $5,000.00). Only one grades higher (at 100) and only one other shares this grade, a statistic that has not changed since 2009.
8c Olive Green (337). Mint N.H., pretty pastel shade on crisp paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 8-CENT WASHINGTON, SCOTT 337, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Hanover". With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,850.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J) and three others share this grade.
10c Yellow (338). Mint N.H., magnificent margins and centering, gorgeous glowing color, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Merlin, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00)
13c Blue Green (339). Mint N.H., incredibly wide balanced margins, pristine color on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MATCHLESS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT 1908 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,300.00) This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only five others
15c Pale Ultramarine (340). Barely hinged, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 P.F., 2006 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Gem 100; SMQ $600.00), this is the only Scott No. 340 at this perfect grade in any condition, which is the highest awarded, the highest graded Mint N.H. example is 98 (two recorded)
50c Violet (341). Lightly hinged, radiant color, mathematically perfect centering, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 50-CENT PERF 12 WASHINGTON, WITH THE PERFECT P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100. THIS STANDS ALONE AS THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE IN ANY CATEGORY.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded in any condition and the only example to achieve this grade. The highest graded Mint N.H. example is 98 (one recorded)
50c Violet (341). Block of four, bottom left stamp Mint N.H., others h.r., rich color, fresh and Fine block, Scott value as singles
$1.00 Violet Brown (342). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide margins and exceptional centering, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 $1.00 PERF 12 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Piedmont" and Hall. With 1999 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,250.00). Only one Mint N.H. stamp grades higher (at 98) and only one other shares this lofty grade
$1.00 Violet Brown (342). Block of four, attractive margins and centering, some slight perf separations or weakness, Very Fine and fresh block
1c Green, Coil (348). Mint N.H. pair, bright color, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,150.00), only three pairs grade higher (at 100)
1c Green, Coil (348). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, a perfect coil single which could not be improved upon, with 2003 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced above the grade of 100, SMQ $800.00 as 100), this is the sole example of Scott 348 at this highest of grades in any format or condition
2c Carmine, Coil (349). Mint N.H. pair, brilliant color, overall Very Fine, the bottom stamp Extremely Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown, Coil (350). Mint N.H., huge margins and choice centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (351). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color and proof-like impression, essentially perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF SCOTT 351, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Interestingly, this is the only 5c Washington-Franklin vertical coil stamp ever produced. Demand proved to be so low that no others were made.
With 1995 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,000.00). Only one grades higher (at 98) and four others share this grade.
5c Blue, Coil (351). Mint N.H., wide margins and precisely centered, rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT VERTICAL COIL, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Depew. With 1985 P.F. (for pair) and 2019 P.F. (ungraded) and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $3,100.00). The highest grade awarded and shared by only three others.
2c Carmine, Coil (353). Pair, lightly hinged, radiant color, huge margins, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. and 2013 P.S.A.G. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo)
2c Carmine, Coil (353). Mint N.H., wide margins and essentially perfect centering, fresh color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 353, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Depew. With 2014 P.S.E. and 2019 P.F. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). The highest grade awarded and shared by no others
4c Orange Brown, Coil (354). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with huge marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1909 4-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS STAMP STANDS ALONE AS THE HIGHEST GRADED MINT NEVER-HINGED SCOTT 354 IN ANY FORMAT.
Ex Whitman and Depew. With 1994 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. Scott 354 in any format and it is shared by no others
5c Blue, Coil (355). Lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Vibrant color, three wide marginsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT COIL, SCOTT 356.
With 1985 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Pair, lightly hinged, huge top and bottom margins of essentially equal size, virtually perfectly centered between perfs, magnificent golden color which is characteristic for this coilEXTREMELY FINE GEM PAIR. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXISTING PAIRS OF THE 10-CENT 1909 COIL, SCOTT 356.
According to Johl (Volume 1, page 181), only 10,000 of the 10c Washington coil stamp were issued. They were made especially for a New York firm to send out advertising samples, similar to the 3c Orangeburg coil. Only a few rolls were sold to the firm, and the remaining rolls were distributed to some of the large post offices across the country. Dealers acquired several rolls, but because most contemporary collectors did not collect coils, many were used and destroyed.
With 1989 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $14,500.00). The highest grade awarded in any category and shared by only one other pair and three singles