Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1908-09 Washington-Franklin Issues (Scott 331-366)
1c Green (331). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins all around, post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent stamp, ex Killien and Scarsdale, with 1998 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $750.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 100) and only two others share this grade
2c Carmine (332). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a truly magnificent Gem 100 Jumbo example of this workhorse Washington-Franklin issue, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $540.00 as 98), only three other examples have achieved this perfect grade
4c Orange Brown (334). Mint N.H., choice centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $700.00 as 95, $3,150.00 as 98), only six stamps have graded higher
5c Blue (335). Mint N.H., deep rich color on fresh paper, outstanding centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00), only five have graded higher (all at 98)
6c Red Orange (336). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,950.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 100) and only one other shares this grade.
8c Olive Green (337). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered with huge Jumbo margins, vivid color and proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT PERF 12 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARKED ISSUE, SCOTT 337, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE ONLY STAMP TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,800.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and is shared by no others
10c Yellow (338). Mint N.H., magnificent margins and centering, gorgeous glowing color, Extremely Fine Gem, scarce in this exceptional condition, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
13c Blue Green (339). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering with balanced Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00 as 95, $2,850.00 as 98)
15c Pale Ultramarine (340). Mint N.H., choice Jumbo margins and precise centering, lovely pastel color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,250.00 as 95, $4,250.00 as 98)
50c Violet (341). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on post-office fresh paper, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1909 50-CENT PERF 12 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1981 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,250.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and only four others share this desirable grade.
$1.00 Violet Brown (342). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, beautiful centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PERF 12 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARKED ISSUE.
With 1992 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,600.00). Only two have graded higher, and only four others share this grade.
1c Green, Coil (348). Mint N.H. pair, rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $275.00)
1c Green, Coil (348). Mint N.H., brilliant color, near perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $395.00), only one has graded higher
2c Carmine, Coil (349). Guide line pair, bottom stamp Mint N.H., vivid color, nice margins and centering, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (349). Mint N.H., beautiful bright color, well-centered, faint pencil notation on gum not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $370.00)
4c Orange Brown, Coil (350). Mint N.H., almost perfectly centered, rich color on crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00)
5c Blue, Coil (351). Guide line pair, lightly hinged, deep rich color on fresh paper, choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,300.00)
5c Blue, Coil (351). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, balanced Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, ex Whitman, with 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $750.00 as 90, $1,450.00 as 95)
1c Green, Coil (352). Guide line pair, lightly hinged, exceptionally choice centering, Extremely Fine, very scarce and desirable in this quality, with 2001 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (353). Guide line pair, lightly hinged, remarkably choice centering with wide margins, intense color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1989 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (353). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, fresh color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, this coil is rarely found in this outstanding condition, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $990.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only five other stamps have equaled it
4c Orange Brown, Coil (354). Pair with 3mm spacing, huge Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb pair and rare in this condition, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,400.00 as 98), only one pair has graded higher, we are puzzled by OGh call as it is not heavily hinged
4c Orange Brown, Coil (354). Lightly hinged in one corner, huge balanced margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of this coil, with 1991 P.F. (for pair) and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $760.00), one of only two in this grade with only two higher
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., gorgeous rich color on nicely blued paper, perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT ON BLUISH, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,300.00). Only four others have achieved this grade and only one has graded higher. The example graded higher, at 98 Jumbo, realized $15,500 hammer in our auction of the Scarsdale collection
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on deeply blued paper, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION, THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT ON BLUISH IN EXISTENCE. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $5,300.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded (one other shares this grade).
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vivid color which is unusually bright, deeply blued paper, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $2,300.00). Only three have graded higher (all at 95)
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Lightly hinged, deep rich color on nicely blued paper, unusually wide balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT BLUISH PAPER WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Whitman. With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,550.00). Only four others share this grade with none higher
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., bright color and crisp impression, gorgeous centering for this difficult issue with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $7,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded and is shared by only two others