Sale 1093 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. 20th Century and Air Post
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 23-24 February, 2015
Category — 1906-08 Imperforates and Coils, 1903 Shield Issue (Scott 314H-322)
1c Blue Green, Imperforate Horizontal Coil (314H). Mint N.H. guide line strip of seven, large margins, deep rich color, light vertical crease along the guide lineEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE STRIP OF SEVEN OF THE ONE-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE FLAT PLATE COIL STAMP.
These coils were made from the flat plate regular issue stamps, and were issued in rolls of either 500 or 1,000. Very few large multiples are known for this issue.
With 1986 and 2007 P.F. certificates. The guide line strip of four is listed in Scott as hinged with a price of $8,000.00 -- the Mint N.H. guide line strip of four is unlisted. Scott Retail as Mint N.H. normal strip of four, plus a pair and half a pair, with no premium for the guide line
4c Brown, Imperforate, Schermack Ty. III (314A). Full Schermack perforations at right and both notches visible at left, deep rich color, face-free cancel, nice centering for this difficult issueFINE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE, SCOTT 314A WITH A FACE-FREE CANCEL. ONLY 31 USED SINGLES ARE CONTAINED IN OUR CENSUS.
With the rising popularity of vending and affixing machines, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing received numerous requests from manufacturers for supplies of imperforate stamps, which could then be privately perforated to conform to each firm's machine. In May 1908, a supply of 25 sheets (400 stamps per sheet) of the 4c 1902 Issue, without perforations, was delivered to the Schermack Mailing Machine Co. in Detroit. The entire supply was cut into coils with Schermack Type III perforations, designed for the firm's patented affixing machine and delivered to the Winfield Printing Co. for use on mass mailings of advertising material. Approximately 6,000 were used on a mailing for Hamilton Carhartt Manufacturer, and almost all of the 4,000 balance were used on a mailing for Burroughs Adding Machine Co.
Our recently-completed census of Scott 314A incorporates the records of the Philatelic Foundation, the Levi records (which represents over 40 years of auction sales) and our own computerized sales history, and is available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/314A/314A.pdf . The census reveals a startling fact -- there are only 31 used singles (two on piece), a used strip of three and three covers (one of which bears a strip of three), for a total of 39 used stamps.
Census No. 314A-CAN-28. This is the only used example contained in our census with a completely face-free cancel. With 1951 and 2005 P.F. certificates
Joseph J. Schermack, Solicitation to Invest in Stamp Vending Machines. Two 1c singles with Schermack Ty. III perfs (314), tied by "Detroit Mich May 31, 1909, 8:30 PM" machine cancel on cover to Mrs. T. S. Farquharson in Des Moines Iowa, marked "Personal", four original enclosures: a letter dated May 29, 1909 with another 1c Schermack Ty. III affixed, discussing the Detroit Mailing Machine business and an enclosed proposal to invest in the Schermack Stamp Vending Machine Company, signed by Schermack; a 4-page typed background and proposal to sell capital stock in the company for the purpose of distributing stamp vending machines to large cities across the country, also signed by Schermack; finally an illustration of a Schermack counter-top vending machine showing several of the advertising cards from which revenue was to be derived as well as a price list for Brinkerhoff and USAV coils (a stamp-dealing side business for Schermack), Very Fine and fascinating group from this early stamp affixing and vending machine pioneer, these letters were sent to members of the APS shortly after Schermack joined the Society, see Steven Belasco's book (Chapter 11) for a detailed discussion of this second venture by Schermack
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., large margins incl. top sheet margin, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 2953 block of six, large margins other sides, deep rich color, inconsequential small corner crease in sheet margin at top left where slightly reducedVERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
Ex Mayer
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Large margins, rich color, neat strike of Boston double oval cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, a scarce issue genuinely used, with 1985 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,250.00), only three examples have been graded higher (at 95)
5c Blue, Imperforate, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. I (315). Pair, unused (no gum), well-centered, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as original gum
5c Blue, Imperforate, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. II (315). Pair, small h.r., exceptionally well-centered, tiny natural inclusion in top margin of left stamp, otherwise Extremely Fine
5c Blue, Coil (317). H.r., choice centering with wide margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SINGLE OF THE RARE 1908 5-CENT VERTICAL COIL.
From our 1996 Rarities sale and ex Lyons. With 1996 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (317). Pair, both stamps lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, attractive margins which clear the design all aroundA FINE AND SOUND PAIR OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1908 VERTICAL COIL.
The 5c 1908 Coil stamps, which were stripped by hand, are almost always strongly centered to one side.
With 1977 (copy for strip) and 1992 P.F. certificates
1c Blue Green, Coil (318). With paste-up and guideline at right, lightly hinged, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE PASTE-UP SINGLE OF THE ONE-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 318. SCARCE WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
Copy of 2005 P.S.E. certificate for pair no longer accompanies
1c Blue Green, Coil (318). Pair with s.e. showing guideline at right, h.r., tiny thin speck in right stampVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL.
1963 P.F. certificate for strip of four no longer accompanies
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Booklet Pane of Six (319Fh; formerly 319h). Missing tab, boxed Plainview Tex. cancels, some perf separations, Fine and rare used booklet pane, with 2003 P.F. certificate, unpriced in Scott as used
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Booklet Pane of Six (319g). Two, Position G and I, first with clear guide line at left, which along with the horizontal guide line between the first two rows defines the position, bold strikes of "Titusville Pa." boxed cancels, several h.r. which reinforce a few perf separations at top, shallow thin spot, Fine-Very Fine appearance, tied for the rarest position on the 180-subject plate, second with guideline at left, Washington D.C. oval cancels, Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Complete 25c Booklet (BK14). Comprising two panes of six of No. 319g, Position E, very fresh and tight covers, Very Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Booklet Pane of Six (319g). Complete pane with tab, tied by "San Mateo Cal." boxed handstamps on Nov. 9, 1912 registered masonry contractor corner card cover to New York, five backstamps from San Mateo and New York, sealed tear from top to bottom, Very Fine appearance, ex Collier, Scott Retail for used pane $450.00
2c Lake, Ty. II, Imperforate (320A; formerly 320a). Bottom imprint and plate no. 4701 block of six, lightly hinged, deep rich color in the distinctive Lake shade, Very Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Imperforate (320Ad; formerly 320d). Rich color, full Schermack Type III perforations on both sides which are clear of the design, neat machine cancel, Very Fine, one of the rarest of the 2c Shield issues with very few known genuinely used (all examples known show Schermack Type III perforations)
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Lightly hinged, deep rich color and detailed impression, superb centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL.
Small backstamp and pencil notation on gum. With 1993 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Bright color, small owner's handstamp on gumFINE. A FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 322.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Pair, lightly hinged, brilliant color, balanced margins, left stamp puckering which is only apparent from front with oblique lightVERY FINE APPEARING PAIR OF THE 2-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL.
Issued on July 31, 1908, and intended only to be used by private vending machine companies, Scott 322 is only known with the Die II widened line at lower left.
With 1951 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Pair, h.r., attractive color, small thins and a closed tear in right stampFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 322.
With 1970 P.F. certificate