Sale 1172 — United States Stamps and Hawaii
Sale Date — Tuesday, 19 December, 2017
Category — 1913-15 Washington-Franklin Issues (Scott 424-446)
5c Blue (428). Mint N.H., intense color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
6c Red Orange (429). Mint N.H., extraordinarily well-centered, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $750.00)
12c Claret Brown (435). Mint N.H., crisp impression on bright paper, wonderful centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1984 P.F., 2006 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,400.00), only one has graded higher (at 100J, realized $5,750 hammer in our recent "Hanover" sale) and only six others share this grade
15c Gray (437). Right plate no. 6833 block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., pretty pastel color, Fine-Very Fine
20c Ultramarine (438). Left plate no. 6908 block of six, very small hinge mark in selvage, all stamps Mint N.H., bright color on fresh paper, well-centeredVERY FINE. A LOVELY PLATE BLOCK OF THE 20-CENT PERF 10 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED FRANKLIN ISSUE WITH ALL STAMPS MINT NEVER-HINGED.
With 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as Mint N.H. $5,500.00, as hinged
30c Orange Red (439). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1986 and 2004 P.F. certificates
30c Orange Red (439). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6914 block of six with wide selvage, fiery color on bright paper, faint horizontal crease in ungummed part of selvage has been pressed, tiny scuff in selvage near top, neither of these small issues affects the design, gum, plate number or beauty of this plate blockVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 30-CENT 1914 ISSUE, SCOTT 439. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PLATE BLOCKS TO OBTAIN IN CENTERED CONDITION.
We have offered only two other Mint N.H. plate blocks since keeping computerized records. One, from the top position, realized $25,000 hammer in 2005. The other, offered in the following lot, is from the bottom position with few perf separations sensibly reinforced and with Fine centering.
With 2017 P.F. certificate
30c Orange Red (439). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 6914 block of six with unusually wide selvage, vibrant color, few minor perf separations sensibly reinforced at bottom edge of selvage (easily trimmed to maintain Mint N.H. status)FRESH AND FINE. A REMARKABLY FRESH AND RARE WIDE-BOTTOM MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 30-CENT 1914 ISSUE.
This is only the third Mint N.H. plate block of Scott 439 we have offered since keeping computerized records.
Ex Hall. Scott Retail as Mint N.H.
50c Violet (440). Left plate no. 7042 block of six, Mint N.H. and unpriced as such in Scott, vivid color, beautiful margins and centering, light natural gripper marks on gum of left stampsVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1915 50-CENT PERF 10 WITH SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK.
This plate block is extremely rare in any gum condition -- this is one of only four plate blocks we have offered in ten years. We have not offered another Mint N.H. plate block in all of our sales since 1993 and our Rarities sales dating back to 1964.
Ex Curtis. With 2006 P.S.E. and 2015 P.F. certificates. Unpriced in Scott as Mint N.H. Scott Retail as hinged
1c Green, Coil (441). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color, near perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
1c Green, Coil (441). Mint N.H. pair, perfect centering, rich color, fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $375.00)
1c Green, Coil (441). Guide line pair, choice margins and centering, detailed impression, double oval cancel, Extremely Fine, an outstanding used line pair of this issue, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $400.00), only two used line pairs have graded higher (highest is 95) and only two others share this grade
1c Green, Coil (441). Two items, first pair with wide margins and choice centering, purple Federalsburg Md. roller cancel, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $135.00 for normal cancel), only two used pairs have graded higher (highest is 95) and only two others share this grade, also single with wide margins and light circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $100.00)
1c Green, Coil (441). Wide margins and essentially perfect centering, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of this issue, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $175.00), only one has graded higher
1c Green, Coil (443). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color, beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $625.00), only five line pairs have graded higher
1c Green, Coil (443). Guide line pair, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, bold strikes of duplex cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, an outstanding jumbo-margined used line pair of this issue, ex "Natalee Grace", with 1996 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,350.00), only one used line pair has graded higher (at 95) and no others share this grade
1c Green, Coil (443). Pair, balanced margins, rich color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00), only four have graded higher (highest is 98)
2c Carmine, Coil (444). Mint N.H., vivid color, near perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $950.00), only one stamp has graded higher (at 100, offered in our Sale 1156 but curiously absent from the P.S.E. Population Report) and this is the only example at this lofty grade
2c Carmine, Coil (444). Pair, wonderful depth of color, neat duplex cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
2c Carmine, Coil (444). Wide margins and essentially perfect centering, vibrant color, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $600.00), only two have graded higher (at 100)
2c Carmine, Coil (444). Wide margins and choice centering, rich color, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $300.00)
3c Violet, Coil (445). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, near perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 3-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK PERF 10 COIL, SCOTT 445.
According to Johl (p. 143) this issue was mainly used for special mailing purposes such as samples and pamphlets which were sent out in large quantities by individual mailers and resulted in limited distribution among collectors.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,500.00). Only two have graded higher (at 95J and 98, offered in Siegel Sales 1010 and 1014) and one other shares this desirable grade.
3c Violet, Coil (445). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, outstanding centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 445, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,500.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J, offered in our Sale 1156) and only three others share this grade.
3c Violet, Coil (445). Guide line pair, rich color, duplex cancel, Fine and rare used line pair of this issue, the 3c stamps were employed primarily for special mailings such as samples and pamphlets and so relatively few used examples were saved -- particularly line pairs, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (F 70; SMQ $1,450.00), only three have graded higher
3c Violet, Coil (445). Pair, rich color, unusually wide and balanced margins, neat magenta cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED PAIR OF THE 3-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 445, WITH A COLORED CANCEL.
Ex "Tahoe". With 2002 A.P.S., 2004 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,750.00 for normal cancel). Only one used pair has graded higher (at 98) and two others share this grade. We are unaware if the 98 has a colored cancel but we know the other two 95's do not
4c Brown, Coil (446). Mint N.H. guide line pair, exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins all around, rich color on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF SCOTT 446.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,250.00). Only two have graded higher (at 98)
4c Brown, Coil (446). Mint N.H. pair, bright color, outstanding centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE 4-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 446.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,400.00)
4c Brown, Coil (446). Mint N.H., wide margins and essentially perfect centering, rich color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,400.00), one of only three awarded this high grade with only one higher (at 100)
4c Brown, Coil (446). Mint N.H., wide and balanced margins, strong color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
4c Brown, Coil (446). Beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, detailed impression, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $750.00), only four have graded higher (highest is 98)