Sale 1231 — The James P. Myerson Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 February, 2021
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 357-366)
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., rich color on deeply blued paper, gorgeous centering, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ESPECIALLY HANDSOME MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Ex "Hanover". With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,500.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J) and four others share this grade.
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., extraordinarily wide Jumbo margins and near perfect centering, radiant colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
With 1984, 1998 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $4,500.00). While there are two examples of Scott 358 that grade higher (at 100) in the P.S.E. Population Report, this is the only stamp with the Jumbo appellation in the entire P.S.E. graded population. The margin width and centering make this a truly extraordinary example from the popular Bluish Paper issue
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Lightly hinged, rich color on deeply blued paper, precise centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF THE 1909 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY.
Ex "Golden Oak" and "Clipper City". With 1974 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $5,000.00). No other Scott 359 shares this exalted grade. There are four hinged stamps graded 95, as well as one used and one Mint N.H. graded 90. This is a true condition rarity
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Lightly hinged, intense shade on nicely blued paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT BLUISH PAPER, GRADED XF 90 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The June 1910 Third Assistant Postmaster General's report states that 4,400 (eleven sheets) of the 4c were printed on Bluish Paper. It is believed that none of the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps were distributed to post offices, and that all of the examples in collectors' hands reached the market through the Travers-Steinmetz exchange and the 1914 National Museum trades to H. F. Colman (12 copies) and Nassau Stamp Company (65 copies).
Of the many examples of this major 20th Century rarity we have offered, only a small number have centering that can be compared to this stamp.
With 1982, 2004 and 2005 P.F. certificates (XF 90). The highest grade awarded by either P.F. or P.S.E. -- P.S.E. has graded only one at this grade with none higher, while the P.F. shows three with none higher. We offered one of the others in our 2017 auction of the Barry K. Schwartz collection.
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Lightly hinged, deep rich color on blued paper with characteristic intense watermark, choice centering with wide and well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.
The 5c is the third rarest of the set and the rarest of the regularly issued Bluish Paper stamps. The 4c and 8c were released only by postal officials and not sold through the post office.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Lightly hinged, brilliant color on blued paper, choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Choice centering with wide margins, intense color on deeply blued paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER. A RARE STAMP, ESPECIALLY IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION.
The June 1910 Third Assistant Postmaster General’s report states that 4,000 (ten sheets) of the 8c were printed on Bluish Paper. It is believed that none of the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps were distributed to post offices, and that all of the examples in collectors’ hands reached the market through the Travers-Steinmetz exchange and the 1914 National Museum trades to H. F. Colman (12 copies) and Nassau Stamp Company (65 copies).
Ex "Scarsdale" and "Hanover". With 1969 (copy) and 1999 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OG, VF-XF 85; SMQ $37,500.00). Only three grade higher (highest is 95) and only one other shares this grade.
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vivid color, essentially perfect centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Ex "Clipper City". With 1976 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,600.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four other examples have achieved it (one is Mint N.H.)
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Lightly hinged, intense shade and impression on deeply blued paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $4,000.00).
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., brilliant color on nicely blued paper, unusually choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
Ex "Hanover". With 1986, 1996, 2003 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is 90 (five copies).