Sale 968B — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Three: 1902-34 Issues, B-O-B
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 22-25 September, 2009
Category — 1916-17 Issues (Scott 498-518)
1c Green, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (498a). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT PERF 11 WASHINGTON IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
Ex Stollnitz and Floyd. With 1964 and 2001 P.F. certificates
1c Green, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Between (498b). Mint N.H., brilliant color, crisp impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a superb Mint N.H. pair in the finest condition attainable, most seem to have been hinged, ex Blumenkopf and Floyd, with 1995 P.F. certificate
1c Green, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Between (498b). Block of eight, two center pairs show the error of perforation, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top stamps lightly hinged, rich color, the errors are well-centered, Very Fine and impressive multiple, ex Blumenkopf, with 1989 and 2000 P.F. certificates
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (498f). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression, remarkably choice centering throughout, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
1c Green, Perf 10 at Top (498g). Mint N.H., deep dark color and sharp proof-like impression, post-office freshFINE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE PERF 10 VARIETIES.
The 1c 1917 with Perf 10 at top or bottom is one of the rarest of all Perf 10 varieties. Our records contain the following in unused condition: four singles, two in a block of four, two in a plate block of six (offered in our 2004 Rarities sale), and four in a block of 25 (offered in our October 2006 auction). Five are also known used.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
2c Rose, Ty. I, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (499f). Position W8, Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression, wide margins at right and bottom, a mix of centering as is typical of genuine examples of this difficult booklet paneA FINE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT A.E.F. BOOKLET PANE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT NO MORE THAN 20 EXIST IN ANY CONDITION. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND MINT N.H. PANE WE HAVE OFFERED.
The A.E.F. booklet panes were issued in September 1917, primarily for use by the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. Only 3,000 panes were prepared of both the 1c and 2c denominations. By October they were no longer needed, as Congress voted to allow mail to be sent free of charge by active members of the Armed Forces. Many of the panes were destroyed. The only other Mint N.H. pane sold by us was part of the Zoellner collection in 1998.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
2c Rose, Ty. I, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (499a). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on crisp paper, Very Fine and choice, this error is exceedingly scarce, none can be found in our computerized records and the P.F. has certified no more than five, with 2006 P.F. certificate, this is quite undercatalogued in Scott
2c Rose, Ty. I, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (499b). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, centered to one side as are virtually all known examples, Very Fine, scarce, Datz states that 100 pairs are reported but they rarely appear at auction, the last unused example we offered was in 2000, ex Floyd, with 1981 and 2005 P.F. certificates
2c Rose, Ty. I, Double Impression (499g). Mint N.H., brilliant color, showing clear doubling throughout the entire design, Very Fine and choice, scarce, with 1963 and 2005 P.F. certificates
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Mint N.H., wonderful depth of color, nicely centered, Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Light Violet, Ty. I (501). Mint N.H., brilliant color, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $175.00)
3c Light Violet, Ty. I, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (501c). Lightly hinged, radiant color, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB AND RARE LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT SCOTT 501 VERTICAL PAIR, IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
We have offered only five others since keeping computerized records.
Ex Floyd. Lightly signed in pencil. With 1960 and 2001 P.F. certificates
3c Light Violet, Ty. I, Double Impression (501d). Mint N.H., dramatic double impression showing part of three different impressions, with selvage at bottom, rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A DRAMATIC EXAMPLE AND ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THIS DOUBLE IMPRESSION. THIS IS THE ONLY MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE.
The records of the Philatelic Foundation contain only three used and three unused copies certified as genuine (this one Mint N.H.). Of these, one shows a double impression which is similar to the one offered here (offered in our Sale 937). These are the most pronounced double impressions.
Ex Blumenkopf. With 1994 P.F. certificate
3c Dark Violet, Ty. II (502). Mint N.H., intense color and impression, nicely centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Dark Violet Ty. II, Booklet Pane of Six (502b var). Mint N.H., deep rich color, post-office fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
3c Dark Violet, Ty. II, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (502c). Vertical strip of three, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top stamp h.r., rich color on bright paper, fresh and Very Fine, scarce, center stamp with backstamp, ex Blumenkopf, with 2004 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as Mint N.H. pair
3c Dark Violet, Ty. II, Double Impression (502d). Mint N.H., deep rich color, showing clear double with second impression closely aligned to the first, bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, scarce, ex Blumenkopf, with 1997 and 2000 P.F. certificates, the former as a block
4c Brown (503). Mint N.H., pretty shade, perfectly centered with absolutely Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp of massive proportions, with 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $490.00 as 98), only two have graded higher and five others share this desirable grade
5c Blue (504). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $130.00 as 95, $510.00 as 98)
5c Blue, Horizontal Pair Imperforate Between (504a). Pair with plate no. 8902 selvage at top, h.r. in selvage only, brilliant color, right stamp tiny thin spotVERY FINE. THE UNIQUE PLATE NUMBER PAIR OF THE 5-CENT PERF 11 WASHINGTON IMPERFORATE BETWEEN THE STAMPS. ONLY TWO PAIRS ARE KNOWN.
This plate number pair appeared in our Rarities sales in 1983 and 1990, and it has consistently realized more than double or nearly triple Scott value.
Signed in pencil by Raymond Weill and E. Stern. With 2007 P.F. certificate
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. double error in a block of 12, brilliant color, intact perfs all around and with significant portions of 13 adjoining stamps, choice centering much better than typically found, small natural inclusion in seventh stamp not noted on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT PERF 11 DOUBLE ERROR, SCOTT 505. A BEAUTIFUL SHOWPIECE.
With 1991 and 1999 P.F. certificates
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. single error in block of nine, brilliant color, wide even margins which are far better than typically found, natural s.e. at top, small natural inclusion in right-center stamp not noted on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.F. certificate
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H., radiant color, post-office fresh, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1990 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,100.00)
6c Red Orange (506). Mint N.H., radiant color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
6c Red Orange, Perf 10 at Top (506a). Vertical pair, the top stamp perforated 10 at top, bottom stamp normal perf 11 all around, small h.r., incredibly bright color, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1917 ISSUE PERFORATED 10 AT TOP VARIETY. ONLY ONE OTHER UNUSED EXAMPLE IS BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Our census of Scott 506a contains two unused and fourteen used copies. Ex Schilling, Zoellner and Blumenkopf. With 1998 P.F. certificate. This is quite undercatalogued in Scott, particularly in unused condition, probably because none has been offered at auction since 2000.
7c Black (507). Barest trace of what may be hinging (appears Mint N.H.), intense shade and proof-like impression, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent stamp, with 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $170.00 as 98)
7c Black, Perf 10 at Top (507a). Block of four, both top stamps the variety, bottom stamps perf 11 all around, top stamps barely hinged, bottom stamps Mint N.H., deep shade and proof-like impressionVERY FINE. THIS BLOCK CONTAINS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 7-CENT DENOMINATION WITH PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM. THIS IS THE KEY TO A COMPLETE SET OF THE PERF 10 ON ONE SIDE VARIETIES. A RARITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.
The 7c is the rarest denomination with the Perf 10 at One Side variety, which resulted from an improperly-repaired perforating wheel (the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel).
Ex Zoellner. With 1991 and 1998 P.F. certificates.
8c Olive Bister, Perf 10 at Top (508c). Bright color, choice centering for this difficult issue, neat strike of New Haven Conn. registry ovalEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1917 ISSUE PERF 10 AT TOP. ONLY SIXTEEN ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, AND THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Our comprehensive unpublished census of Scott 508c, which encompasses all of the records of the Philatelic Foundation plus our search of auction catalogues, contains only sixteen copies of this rarity. Of these, nine are sound or potentially sound (four of these have very low certificate numbers and need to be examined for condition). Of the sixteen, nine have precancels.
With 2000 A.P.S. and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
9c Salmon Red, Perf 10 at Top (509a). Mint N.H., brilliant color, post-office fresh, tiny perf flaw at bottom not noted on certificatesVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 9-CENT 1917 ISSUE PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
Our comprehensive census of Scott 509a, which includes all of the records of the Philatelic Foundation, contains 21 used copies and this single unused example.
Ex Blumenkopf. With 1994 A.P.S. and 1995 P.F. certificates. This issue is massively undercatalogued in Scott. For example, Scott 511a, which is readily available in unused condition (five Mint N.H. are in Power Search), catalogues $7,500.00.
9c Salmon Red (509). Mint N.H., radiant color, choice centering with Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1992 and 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $65.00 as 90, $205.00 as 95)
10c Orange Yellow (510). Mint N.H. with plate no. 10734 in selvage at left, vibrant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem
11c Light Green (511). Mint N.H., brilliant color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $450.00)
11c Light Green, Perf 10 at Top (511a). Mint N.H., bright shade, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE AND DESIRABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 11-CENT 1917 ISSUE PERF 10 AT TOP.
With 1994 P.F. certificate
12c Claret Brown (512). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $145.00)
12c Brown Carmine (512a). Mint N.H., warm shade which is distinctly different from the previous lot, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 2002 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $560.00 as 98), this is the only example to achieve this grade and only two have graded higher to date
12c Claret Brown, Perf 10 at Bottom (512b). Deep rich color, proof-like impression, bold strike of grid cancel, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. FEWER THAN TEN EXAMPLES OF THE 12-CENT 1917 ISSUE PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM ARE KNOWN TO US. ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE PERF 10 ON ONE SIDE VARIETIES.
As an indication of rarity, we have offered only one other since 2001. That copy, with perfs touching or close on two sides and with a precancel, realized $10,500 hammer in September 2008.
Ex Floyd. With 1995 P.F. certificate. Quite undercatalogued in Scott.
13c Apple Green (513). Mint N.H., beautiful color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $175.00)
15c Gray (514). Mint N.H., radiant color, crisp impression, Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $150.00 as 90, $480.00 as 95)
20c Light Ultramarine (515). Mint N.H. with selvage at top, brilliant color, post-office fresh, mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 515 HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS PERFECT GRADE.
With 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $1,450.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. The 20c seems to have much lower P.S.E. Population Report numbers in the higher grades than many others of this issue. It is clearly one of the more difficult denominations to obtain in higher grades.
20c Light Ultramarine, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Between (515b). Brilliant color, centered to left as are all known examplesFINE AND FRESH. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN PERFORATION ERROR AND ALWAYS FOUND WITH FINE CENTERING.
Ex Blumenkopf. With 1996 and 2005 P.F. certificates
50c Red Violet (517). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $200.00)
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp impression, choice centering with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate