Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1902-08 Issues (Scott 300-322)
1c-15c 1902 Issue (300-309, 314, 319-320). 45 stamps, all but one Mint N.H., an excellent shade study showing distinct differences in the same Scott number, including Nos. 300 (3), 301 (4), 302 (3), 303 (two singles and block of four, one single lightly hinged), 304 (2), 305 (3), 306 (3), 307 (2), 308 (3), 309 (2), 314 (3), 319 (3), 319c (2), 319F, 319Fi (2), 320 (3), 320b and 320A, centering much better than normally seen, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Catalogue lists sub-shades for most Scott numbers (No. 300 has five different shades listed), this group does an impressive job of demonstrating various shades and would be difficult to duplicate
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1c Blue Green, Booklet Pane of Six (300b). Position D with plate no. 3510, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
1c Blue Green, Booklet Pane of Six (300b). Mint N.H., deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, ex "Vineyard", with 1985 and 2005 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Booklet Pane of Six (301c). Position D with plate no. 1582, Mint N.H., bright color on fresh paper, nice centering, Very Fine, a lovely Mint N.H. plate no. pane
2c Carmine, Booklet Pane of Six (301c). Position E, original gum, five stamps Mint N.H., tiny spot on gum of top left stamp, vibrant color, unusually well-centered, Extremely Fine
4c Brown (303). Mint N.H., incredibly rich color on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with wide margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp, ex Wingate, with 2000 P.F. certificate
6c Claret (305). Mint N.H., deeply rich color, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp with great visual appeal, ex Wingate, with 2000 P.F. certificate
15c Olive Green (309). Mint N.H. with wide top selvage, outstanding centering and margins, post office fresh in every respect, Extremely Fine Gem
$1.00 Black (311). Mint N.H., outstanding centering with beautifully balanced margins, intense shade on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1902 ISSUE.
With 1991 P.S.E. certificate
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright white paper, almost perfect centering with wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. A TRULY REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- CENTERING, COLOR, CLARITY OF IMPRESSION, PAPER FRESHNESS AND GUM.
When reviewing the 1902 Issue, it is clear that collecting practices and time have left very few superb Mint N.H. stamps for today's collectors. This is particularly true for the high $2.00 and $5.00 values of this series which were printed in much smaller quantities than the lower values. This superb stamp is a true condition rarity.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $16,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others. This is the first P.S.E.-graded example we have offered in this grade since we last sold this stamp in our Sale 1000 in 2010.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Original gum, lightly hinged in bottom corner, intense shade and proof-like impression, wide and beautifully balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1902 $5.00 MARSHALL.
With 2001 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00).
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. pair, large margins all around, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, ex "Hanover", with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. with right sheet margin, large margins other sides, deep rich color, Extremely Fine
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., large even margins all around, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with copy of 1985 P.F. certificate for a block
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 4075 block of six, large margins other sides, wonderful depth of color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
With 2020 P.S.A.G. certificate (95 ogNH)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 4073 block of six, large margins other sides, deep rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A PRISTINE AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
From our 2013 Rarities sale. With 1992 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (317). Pair, original gum, bottom stamp is barely hinged, deep rich color and sharp impression, choice centering with wide and well-balanced margins at sidesEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL PAIR OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1908 VERTICAL COIL.
According to Johl, these first government coils were an experiment, and collectors and dealers were generally unaware of their existence. Regular sheets of 400 were printed and then perforated in only one direction. They were then cut into strips of 20. The strips were then hand pasted together to form rolls. As such, they are almost always strongly centered to one side. Well-centered examples such as the pair offered here are very rare.
Ex Drucker and "Hanover". With 1967 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue Green, Coil (318). Pair, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 318.
With 1963 (for strip of four), 1977 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ). The "XQ" denotes "Extraordinary Quality". By way of comparison, the highest grade in the P.S.E. Population Report for a pair is VF-XF 85 (three examples)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. I (319b). Mint N.H., intense color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (95 ogNH)
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Booklet Pane of Six (319g). Mint N.H., vivid color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Booklet Pane of Six (319g). Mint N.H., bright shade, gorgeous centering, fresh and Extremely Fine
2c Lake, Ty. II (319F). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, beautifully centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 2-CENT LAKE TYPE II.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,500.00). Only one grades higher (at 98J) and only two others share this lofty grade.
2c Carmine, Ty. II (319Fi). Mint N.H. with part imprint bottom selvage, vivid color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate as the old Scott 319i
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II (319Fj). Mint N.H., vivid color, outstanding centering with wide margins, post office fresh in every respectEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 2-CENT CARMINE ROSE TYPE II, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS EQUALED BY NO OTHERS.
Among the 2c Shield sub-shades, the Carmine Rose Type II is the most elusive in this superb condition. This is confirmed by the Scott Catalogue, which prices this issue the highest among all the shades of Type I and Type II.
With 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00), this is the highest grade awarded with none equal. The SMQ value is quite low as this stamp realized $3,500 hammer when we last offered it in 2019.
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Imperforate (320). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 3250 block of six, brilliant color, large margins, Extremely Fine
2c Scarlet, Ty. I, Imperforate (320b). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins all around, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Henson, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $750.00 as 100, unpriced as 100J)
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and beautifully balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL.
Issued on July 31, 1908 and intended only to be used by private vending machine companies, Scott 322 is only known with the Die II widened line at lower left.
Ex Hall. With 1996 P.F. (for pair) and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $10,000.00). Only three grade higher (highest is 98).