Sale 1084 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 5-6 November, 2014
Category — 1881-88 American Bank Note Co. Issues (Scott 205-218)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
3462
5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautifully centeredEXTREMELY FINE. THE 5-CENT GARFIELD 1882 SPECIAL PRINTING IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL THE BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. THIS SUPERB EXAMPLE IS ONE OF ONLY 21 RECORDED.
This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in the Chronicle (February 1992). His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Asst. PMG, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield.
Our census of Scott 205C is available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/205C/205C.pdf , and illustrates the 21 recorded examples (only three have faults).
Census No. 205C-UNC-07. Ex Floyd. P.F. certificate nos. 410 and 254720 no longer accompany. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $105,000.00). Only two have graded higher (at 95) and four others share this grade.
70,000
0
3463
5c Yellow Brown (205). Block of 12, rich color, "Benson Ariz. Nov. 2? 1886" circular datestamp with part second strike tying the block on legal-size 20c Mexico entire with printed Wells Fargo & Co. Mexico green frank, uprated entire with 35 centavos handstamp, used as a paste-up (the addressed cover is no longer present but was probably addressed to the Compagnie du Boleo in Paris), purple oval "Express Wells, Fargo y Ca., Guaymas, Mexico Nov. 2? 1886" datestamp, New York Nov. 27 duplex datestamps also tie the block, blue Paris datestamp, Very Fine, impressive and rare franking, carried by Wells Fargo across the Rio Grande and put into the mails at Benson
E. 500-750
650
Back to Top3464
1c Gray Blue (206). Top imprint and plate no. block of twelve, original gum, some reinforced perfs in selvage, right block few jammed perfs, creased vertically along the right margin of the second vertical pair ending in a 1mm selvage nick (easily trimmed), Fine-Very Fine appearance, scarce plate block, with 1978 P.F. certificate noting only perf separations
2,000
750
Back to Top3465
1c Gray Blue (206). Bottom imprint and plate no. block of ten, unused (regummed), perf separations at left, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail $1,800.00 as original gum
E. 300-400
300
Back to Top3466
3c Blue Green (207). Top imprint and plate no. 396 block of 12, half arrow and natural s.e. at left, original gum, stamps Mint N.H., narrow h.r. in selvage reinforcing some perf separations, bright color, a few perf separations between top right stamps, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as hinged plate block
1,910
950
Back to Top3467
6c Rose, Deep Brown Red (208, 208a). Three used blocks of four, first two Rose with Wilmington N.C. and Chicago Ill. cancels, third Deep Brown Red with indistinct duplex cancel, nice color variation, small flaws, Fine appearance
3,050
0
Back to Top3468
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Top imprint and plate no. 427 block of 14, half arrow and natural s.e. at right, unused (no gum), wonderful depth of color, small thin in selvage and tiny thin top right stamp (outside of plate block), some reinforced perf separationsFINE-VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 6-CENT 1882 LINCOLN ISSUE IN THE DEEP BROWN RED SHADE.
Power Search does not contain any plate blocks of Scott 208 or 208a, much less in this larger configuration. Scott Retail $10,100.00 as original gum plate block of ten and four no gum singles
E. 2,000-3,000
2,600
Back to Top3469
10c Brown, 2c Red Brown (209-210). Two large used multiples, 10c block of 18 (6 x 3), bottom left stamp cut into and about 75% present, each stamp with neat blue target cancel, 2c block of 10 (5 x 2), New York oval "2" cancels, both with minor flaws and perf separations, Fine-Very Fine appearance, both of these blocks are larger than the largest recorded in Linn's Stamp Facts
E. 400-500
275
Back to Top3470
10c Brown (209). Block of four, original gum, top pair h.r., well-centered with rich color, few tiny thin specks, Very Fine appearance
875
140
Back to Top3471
10c Brown (209). Bottom imprint and plate no. 549 block of ten, disturbed original gum, rich color, few perf separations along edges, Fine-Very Fine and handsome, a scarce plate block
3,750
1,600
Back to Top3472
10c Brown (209). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, large grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00 as 95, $525.00 as 98)
6
190
Back to Top3473
S
10c Black Brown, Without "SAMPLE" Ovpt. (209S-K var). Top imprint, plate no. 548 and letter "M" block of 12, part arrow and natural s.e. at left, original gum, pos. 8-10 Mint N.H., a few other stamps h.r., exceptionally well-centered, couple tiny thin specks, still Extremely Fine and rare, the shade of this variety is more of a "grayish brown" and is quite often mistaken for the issued stamp No. 209, this is the only plate block contained in Power Search and may well be unique, ex Wampler, with 2000 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as singles which does not convey the rarity of this plate block
960
800
Back to Top3474
2c Red Brown (210). Top imprint and plate no. 474 block of twelve with part arrow and natural s.e. at right, original gum, left and right vertical pairs lightly hinged, other eight stamps Mint N.H., rich color on bright fresh paper, Extremely Fine, a beautiful plate block, Scott Retail as hinged
1,300
1,200
Back to Top3475
4c Blue Green, Diagonal Bisect (211 var). Bottom left diagonal half, tied across the cut by "New York N.Y. Nov. 5, 1897" machine cancel on cover to Roxbury Mass., stamp with trimmed bottom perfs, Very Fine, scarce use
E. 200-300
300
Back to Top3476
1c Ultramarine (212). Top imprint and plate no. 719 block of 50, representing the top half of the pane, natural s.e. at right, brilliant color, unused (no gum), few perf separations sensibly reinforced, natural pre-printing paperfolds affect three stamps in left vertical rowFINE-VERY FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE HALF-PANE OF THE ONE-CENT 1887 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Scott Retail $5,270.00 as original gum
E. 750-1,000
750
Back to Top3477
2c Green (213). Top imprint, plate no. 709 and letter "S S" block of 20, comprising the two top rows of the pane with part arrow natural s.e. at right, disturbed original gum, few flaws including three stamps with thins, reinforced perf separations, Fine-Very Fine appearance
1,920
650
Back to Top3478
2c Green, Imperforate (213a). Vertical pair, large margins all around, tied by "New York Apr. 21 '90, 2 PM" duplex datestamp on piece of coverEXTREMELY FINE. VERY FEW USED PAIRS OF THE 2-CENT GREEN IMPERFORATE ARE RECORDED AND THIS PIECE WITH THE FULL NEW YORK DUPLEX DATESTAMP AND CANCEL IS A GREAT RARITY.
With 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates
E. 1,500-2,000
4,000
Back to Top3479
3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 421 block of twelve, vibrant color, fresh and Fine, scarce in Mint N.H. condition, Scott Retail as singles
2,400
1,600
Back to Top3480
3c Vermilion (214). Top imprint and plate no. 421 block of 14, original gum, a couple stamps with slight trace of mount glazing but otherwise Mint N.H., brilliant color, a few typical perf separations mostly confined to selvage, choice centering, Very Fine, a beautiful plate block, Scott Retail as hinged
1,640
1,200
Back to Top3481
4c Carmine (215). Top imprint, plate no. 546 and letter "L", block of fourteen, original gum, barely hinged, deep rich color, pos. 5 small slightly stained indentationVERY FINE APPEARING AND SCARCE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1888 4-CENT CARMINE BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 1992 A.P.S. certificate
5,725
2,900
Back to Top3482
5c Indigo (216). Top imprint, plate no. 538 and letter "K" block of twelve, original gum, several h.r. in left block of six where perf separations are reinforced and plate number selvage is reattached, deep rich colorFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 1888 5-CENT INDIGO.
This is the first plate block of this issue we have offered since 2003
8,750
4,500
Back to Top3483
5c Indigo (216). Jumbo margins and choice centering, exceptional depth of color, unobtrusive target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $275.00 as 95, $700.00 as 98), only two have graded higher
17
275
Back to Top3484
5c Indigo (216). Cork cancel, "Dobbs Ferry N.Y. Nov. 25, 1890" circular datestamp on cover to Guatemala City, Guatemala, New Orleans transit and Guatemala receiving backstamps, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine
E. 100-150
100
Back to Top3485
30c Orange Brown (217). Bottom imprint and plate no. 405 block of ten, seven stamps Mint N.H., bottom center stamp barely hinged, tiny h.r. slivers in selvage between each row of perfs, rich color on bright paper, centered slightly to topFINE. A RARE AND EXCEPTIONALLY FRESH IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 1888 30-CENT ORANGE BROWN.
Ex Wampler. With 1998 P.F. certificate
7,000
7,000
Back to Top3486
30c Orange Brown (217). Block of four, original gum, h.r., bottom right stamp small thin spot, top left stamp small perf thin and light corner crease, Fine appearance
1,400
150
Back to Top3487
30c Orange Brown (217). Block of eight and block of four, registry oval cancels, small flaws including trimmed perfs one side and couple thins on larger block, both with minor perf separations, Fine-Very Fine appearance
1,950
200
Back to Top3488
90c Purple (218). Choice centering with Jumbo margins all around, radiant color, neat strike of New York oval registry cancel, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Natalee Grace, with 1993 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $650.00 as 90, $1,650.00 as 95), we consider this to be severely undergraded, especially when considering the following lot, which has the same grade but is not as desirable as the example offered here
250
700
Back to Top3489
90c Purple (218). Huge Jumbo margins, wonderful strong color on fresh paper, light cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $650.00 as 90, $1,650.00 as 95)
250
400
Back to Top3490
90c Purple (218). Block of four, fresh color, neat New York registry oval cancels, Very Fine
1,400
475
Back to Top3491
90c Purple (218). Block of four, bold New York registry oval cancels, rich color, top stamps small thin spot, some perf separations sensibly reinforced, Very Fine appearance
1,400
180
Back to Top3492
90c Purple (218). Block of ten, natural s.e. at right, deep rich color, neat strikes of New York registry oval cancel, few perf separations, bottom right stamp light creasing, Very Fine appearance, scarce large multiple, ex Mercedes, Scott Retail as two blocks of four and a pair
3,350
500
Back to Top3493
90c Purple (218). Block of ten, New York registry oval cancels, couple light creases and pulled perf, appears Fine, Scott Retail as two blocks of four and a pair
3,350
250
Back to Top3494
90c Purple (218). Block of 16, bold Boston registry oval cancels, rich color, couple small flaws including stained spot, reinforced perf separations, appears Fine, Scott Retail as two blocks of four and two pairs
3,900
425
Back to Top3495
90c Purple (218). Block of 15 (5 x 3), natural s.e. at right, tied to piece of cover by New York registry oval cancels, few minor perf flaws from trimming of the piece, Fine and scarce large multiple, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail as blocks of four, pairs and single
4,700
1,500
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