Sale 941 — The John F. Odeneal Collection of Superb Mint U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 3 October, 2007
Category — 1851-56 Issue
1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Position 4L2, original gum which has been only very lightly hinged, large to huge margins incl. sheet margin at top, brilliant color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE II.
With 1980 and 1998 P.F. certificates. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,900.00). The P.S.E. grade is an enigma. In this stamp we have full margins framing the ornamentation on all sides, including the left and right sides, and there is a large top sheet margin. Considering the additional "plus" factors -- lightly-hinged gum and bright fresh color and paper -- we are at a loss to explain how this stamp could have received a grade of less than 90.
1c Blue, Ty. IIIa (8A). Position 31L4 with wide break at top, original gum, lightly hinged, huge even margins, rich Plate 4 colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IIIA FROM PLATE 4.
Stamps printed from Plate 4 were issued in April-June 1857 before perforations were introduced. The relatively small number of imperforate Plate 4 stamps issued during this period explains the rarity and desirability of any of the imperforate stamp types produced from this plate. As an indication of rarity in such superb condition, this stamp realized $23,000 hammer in our Sale 836.
With 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Position 61R1L with surface crack at top right, recut once at top, large to huge margins incl. straddle-pane margin at left with full guideline and part of adjoining stamp at bottom, brilliant color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1851 IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IV. A STAMP OF REMARKABLE FRESHNESS AND EYE APPEAL.
Ex Dr. Morris. With copy of 1991 P.F. and with 1996 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,600.00). Only two have graded higher to date, and only one other shares this grade. The SMQ for 95 cannot possibly factor in the left guideline margin on this stamp.
3c Orange Brown (10). Mint N.H., large margins with trace of adjoining stamp at top, incredibly deep color and sharp proof-like impression on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ORANGE BROWN. A REMARKABLE CLASSIC STAMP IN PERFECT CONDITION.
We doubt that more than a handful of this issue exists in Extremely Fine Gem Mint Never-Hinged condition. This stamp is a true condition rarity and is easily one of the finest extant. The last Mint N.H. example of Scott 10 in comparable condition realized $37,500 hammer in our Sale 881.
With 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged
3c Brownish Carmine (11 var). Mint N.H., large margins, deep rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, surprisingly scarce in Mint N.H. condition, we have only sold four others since keeping computerized records, with 1989 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
5c Red Brown (12). D Relief from the bottom row of the plate, accompanying certificate states "large part original gum" which we feel is inaccurate because the gum is completely intact with a few hinge marks, large margins, deep rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT RED BROWN 1856 ISSUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
10c Green, Ty. II (14). Original gum, lightly hinged, large and even margins, brilliant colorEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 IMPERFORATE 10-CENT TYPE II. WORTHY OF THE FINEST COLLECTION.
Given the wide spacing between subjects on the plate used to print the 10c 1855 Issue, one would expect to find an ample supply of examples in sound original-gum condition with four margins. However, such stamps are extremely rare. The P.S.E. Population Report for Scott 14 and 15 lists only two 90’s and one 85 for Scott 14, and there are no graded OG copies for Scott 15.
With 1968 and 1995 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $10,000.00)
10c Green, Ty. III (15). Position 41L1, original gum which is barely hinged, large even margins, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 IMPERFORATE 10-CENT TYPE III.
This wonderful example of the 1855 10c Type III has large margins and unusually deep rich color. It is among the finest of the original-gum copies extant.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
12c Black (17). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, large margins to huge incl. sheet margin at left, very faint natural gum toning at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificatesEXTREMELY FINE LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
With 1992 and 2000 P.F. certificates