Sale 1288 — The Nelson Berman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 22 June, 2023
Category — 1908-10 Washington-Franklin Issues (Scott 349-356)
2c Carmine, Coil (349). Guide line pair, bottom stamp Mint N.H., top stamp lightly hinged, radiant color, Very Fine, with 1979 and 2002 P.F. certificates
4c Orange Brown, Coil (350). Pair, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate noting top stamp Mint N.H. but we detect a small area of hinging between the two stamps
5c Blue, Coil (351). Pair, original gum, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1990 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (353). Guide line pair, original gum, single hinge mark, rich color, fresh and Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown, Coil (354). Guide line pair, original gum, rich color, Very Fine, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (355). Guide line pair, original gum, h.r., unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, left stamp natural inclusion on chin, Extremely Fine, scarce with such choice centering, with 1979 and 1986 P.F. certificates, the former noting the inclusion
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Mint N.H. guide line pair, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, vibrant color, usual light natural gum creases not noted on certificates but mentioned here for complete accuracyVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 10-CENT PERF 12 COIL, SCOTT 356. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION AND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
According to Johl (Volume 1, page 181), only 10,000 of the 10c Washington coil stamp were issued. They were made especially for a New York firm to send out advertising samples, similar to the 3c Orangeburg coil. Only a few rolls were sold to the firm, and the remaining rolls were distributed to some of the larger post offices across the country. Dealers acquired several rolls, but because most contemporary collectors did not collect coils, many were used and destroyed.
Our computerized records encompass almost 30 years of auctions. In that time we have offered in Mint N.H. condition the following: six singles, four pairs, three guide line pairs and one guide line strip of four. The three guide line pairs include two graded 75. The third has similar centering but a noticeable natural inclusion on Washington's forehead.
Ex Keeling. Left stamp with faint pencil notation. With 1972 and 1988 P.F. certificates.