Sale 1138 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps, Part 2
Sale Date — Thursday, 6 October, 2016
Category — Postage Due (Scott J1-J78a)
1c Brown (J1). Mint N.H., radiant color, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, rare in Mint N.H. condition -- we have offered only four other singles since keeping computerized records, plus a few in one plate block, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,250.00), only one has graded higher (at 98) and no others share this grade
2c Brown (J2). Mint N.H., beautiful bright color and detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a superb example of this First Postage Due Issue, ex "Scarsdale", with 2004 P.F. certificate
50c Brown (J7). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, radiant color, crisp impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Scarsdale", with 1982 and 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,450.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it.
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Original gum, intense shade and detailed impression, unusually choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST, IF NOT THE FINEST, EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. The vast majority of these with original gum are faulty. This superb example, with its superior centering and remarkable freshness is a true condition rarity.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $15,400.00). This is the only graded example of this issue. A Power Search review found perhaps one or two others that compare favorably to this stamp.
2c Red Brown (J16). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1884 2-CENT REDBROWN POSTAGE DUE ISSUE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $3,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no others share it. Apart from one example graded 98, the next highest grade is 90. This is also the first in Mint N.H. condition we have offered in three years.
5c Red Brown (J18). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, deep rich color and detailed impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful example of this issue, with 1997 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), this is the highest grade awarded to any unused No. J18
10c Red Brown (J19). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, beautiful centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1884 10-CENT RED BROWN POSTAGE DUE, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95. ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER AND NONE SHARE THIS GRADE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,200.00) Only one has graded higher and none share this grade. The highest grade we have offered in one of our auctions is 90.
50c Red Brown (J21). Mint N.H., bright and fresh color, detailed impression showing every nuance of the design, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1884 RED BROWN POSTAGE DUE.
With 1990 and 2001 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $5,250.00). This is the only Mint N.H. example to be awarded this grade, which is the highest grade awarded to any unused stamp
3c Bright Claret (J24). Mint N.H., vibrant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
5c Bright Claret (J25). Mint N.H., beautiful bright color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with enormous margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1891 5-CENT BRIGHT CLARET POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THE ESSENCE OF PERFECTION -- THIS STAMP IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE -- WE DOUBT A FINER COPY EXISTS.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1995 and 2002 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $5,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it.
10c Bright Claret (J26). Mint N.H., brilliant color and detailed impression, perfectly centered with huge margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Scarsdale", with 2002 and 2003 P.F. certificates (the former as part of a pair), and with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,850.00), only one has graded higher (at 98) and only one other shares this desirable grade
50c Bright Claret (J28). Mint N.H., lovely color and crisp impression, perfectly centered, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1891 50-CENT BRIGHT CLARET POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four others share it.
2c Vermilion (J30). Mint N.H., deep rich color which may be the Deep Vermilion sub-shade (though not noted as such on accompanying certificates), bright paper, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 2-CENT VERMILION ISSUE WITH STUNNING COLOR, BRIGHT PAPER AND PERFECT CENTERING.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1983, 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, the P.S.E. Population Report contains none at this grade and only one higher (at 95J)
3c Deep Claret (J33). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 3-CENT POSTAGE DUE, SCOTT J33, THAT WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. IT STANDS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE ALL OTHERS. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The production problems experienced by the Bureau in its first job for the Post Office yielded many poorly centered stamps. This stamp is a true condition rarity in the finest attainable condition.
With 2005 and 2007 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded in the P.S.E. Population Report is 95J (two copies).
30c Pale Rose (J36b). Mint N.H., radiant color, detailed impression, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 30-CENT PALE ROSE POSTAGE DUE ISSUE, SCOTT J36b. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO ANY SHADE OF THIS STAMP, AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded to any shade (the highest J36 is 85, none graded for J36a). No others share this grade. We are mystified as to why SMQ only assigns roughly a 4x premium for 98 versus 80 -- normally the premium is much higher, especially with low Population Report numbers
50c Deep Claret (J37). Mint N.H., rich color, fantastic wide margins all around with perfect centering, every perf tooth is fully formedEXTREMELY FINE GEM. IN OUR OPINION, AND SUBSTANTIATED BY OUR EXTENSIVE AUCTION RECORDS, THIS IS THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. NOT ONLY ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING POSTAGE DUE STAMPS IN EXISTENCE, BUT ONE OF THE GREATEST OF ALL BUREAU ISSUES.
The 50c 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Postage Due Issue is notorious for its typically poor centering. Only a tiny fraction of the total population exists with centering that could be compared with this example, and it is unlikely that any other has the margin width of this stamp or Mint N.H. gum. For the record, we have offered five Mint N.H. singles, none with margins and centering equal to the stamp offered here. The online records of The Philatelic Foundation contain only one additional example, with perfs almost touching at bottom.
With 2005 P.F. certificate (Superb 98)
2c Deep Claret (J39). Mint N.H., brilliant color, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98)
3c Deep Claret (J40). Mint N.H., intense color and detailed impression on bright paper, beautiful centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
5c Deep Claret (J41). Mint N.H., deep rich color at the darkest end of the spectrum, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 2005 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
10c Carmine (J42 var). Mint N.H. with bottom left corner selvage, brilliant color and detailed impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins on all sides, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp and possibly the finest example in existence, ex "Scarsdale", with 2003 P.F. certificate
50c Deep Claret (J44). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, almost perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT CLARET 1897 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS BUREAU ISSUE IS ONE OF THE RAREST POSTAGE DUES IN ANY CHOICE GRADE.
Ex Whitman. With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,550.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no other examples share this grade
50c Deep Claret (J50). Mint N.H., radiant color and detailed impression on post-office fresh paper, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1912 50-CENT BUREAU POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $7,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade. The next-highest grade is 90.
30c Carmine Lake (J57). Mint N.H. with part imprint at bottom, deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with huge margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge Mint N.H. example, ex "Scarsdale", with 2002 P.F. certificate
1c Rose (J59). Mint N.H., sheet margin at right with "VING & PRINTING" of imprint with star at right, unusually choice centering, post office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN INCALCULABLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 ONE-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE.
The Perf 10 stamps were printed on unwatermarked paper for only a brief period of time. Well-centered original-gum examples are exceedingly rare. We have only sold five Mint N.H. examples in the past nineteen years, when we started to keep computerized records. Of those, only one or two compares favorably with the example offered here.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
2c Rose (J60). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 2-CENT ROSE PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. THIS STAMP IS LIKELY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The unwatermarked Perf 10 Postage Due stamps (Scott J59 and J60) were only in production for a short period of time before being replaced by the Perf 11 stamps.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 2002 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $3,300.00).
30c Carmine (J75). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins with mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS REMARKABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1930 30-CENT POSTAGE DUE ISSUE IS GRADED GEM 100 -- THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS PERFECT GRADE.
Ex Whitman. With 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $2,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it.
$5.00 Scarlet (J78a). Mint N.H., gorgeous color on bright paper, superior centering, Extremely Fine Gem example of this desirable shade, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $525.00), only one has graded higher and this is the only example to achieve this grade