Sale 958 — 2008 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 7 June, 2008
Category — Louisiana Purchase and Jamestown Issues
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 2108 block of six, fresh and bright color, extraordinarily choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE.
Scott Catalogue lists plate blocks of four and plate blocks of six for this issue. The plate blocks of six are considerably scarcer in such pristine condition and most collectors settle for the smaller multiple. The example offered here should be considered a true condition rarity.
Ex Silver Lake. With 2007 P.F. certificate
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $12,300.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 100) and only three others share this lofty grade.
1c-5c Jamestown (328-330). Panes of 100 of each with double imprint, plate nos. and arrows at top, selvage at left and 1c and 2c with selvage at right, 2c and 5c Mint N.H. (2c with tiny adherence on one stamp on one plate block), rich colors, 1c with few perfs sensibly reinforced by hinged, 2c few tiny natural gum skipsFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE COMPLETE SET OF PANES OF 100 OF THE 1907 JAMESTOWN ISSUE.
This set amply demonstrates the narrow spacing between stamps, which led to difficulties in perforating and a dearth of centered copies. For some reason, every pane of the 5c that we have encountered does not have the selvage at right.
2c Jamestown (329). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed on post-office fresh paper, mathematically perfect centering with unusually wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM AND THE ESSENCE OF PERFECTION -- THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS PERFECT GRADE.
The Jamestown Issue is notorious for its tight spacing and narrow margins, which causes most copies to be off-center to some degree. The sheets offered in lot 655 are an excellent demonstration of this. High grades are extremely difficult to obtain on this issue in any denomination. For example, only four examples of the 1c have graded higher than a 95 to date, and no examples of the 5c have graded higher than a 95 to date. Only three other examples of the 2c have graded higher than a 95 to date. This is the only Jamestown issue to achieve the grade of Gem 100.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,550.00 as 98). Accompanied by note from master grader William Litle which states "The first ever Jamestown to get 100 and N.H. at that."
5c Jamestown (330). Mint N.H., almost perfectly centered with wide margins for this difficult issue, deep rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT JAMESTOWN ISSUE. SCARCE WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,500.00). Only thirteen have achieved this grade and none have graded higher to date. Our comments on the previous lot equally apply to this one.