Sale 910 — The Scarsdale Collection, Part 1: Columbian and Later Issues
Sale Date — Friday, 21 April, 2006
Category — Offices in China
2c on 1c Offices in China (K1). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent stamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,10.00), this is the highest grade awarded to date by P.S.E. and this is the only example to achieve this exalted grade
4c on 2c Offices in China (K2). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $510.00), this is the highest P.S.E. grade achieved by No. K2
6c on 3c Offices in China (K3). Mint N.H., pretty pastel color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, a surprisingly difficult stamp to find in choice condition, with 1997 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $360.00), only one No. K3 has been graded higher than 90 by P.S.E.
8c on 4c Offices in China (K4). Mint N.H., bright color, as fresh as the day it was printed, absolutely massive margins on all sides, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp of huge proportions, with 2000 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $910.00 as 95, $1,900.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded to any No. K4 by P.S.E., this is the only example to achieve 95 Jumbo
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Mint N.H., deep rich color nicely contrasted by bright paper, beautiful centering with wide and well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 1998 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $910.00), only one No. K5 is graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report
12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Mint N.H., vibrant color, well-centered with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $475.00)
14c on 7c Offices in China (K7). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide margins all around, post-office fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 1998 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), this is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to No. K7
16c on 8c Offices in China (K8). Mint N.H., pretty pastel shade, wide margins for this difficult issue, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate erroneously describing this as Scott 8a (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00 as No. K8)
16c on 8c Olive Green, Offices in China (K8a). Mint N.H., rich color in the true Olive Green color, enormous margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE IN THE FINEST GRADE ATTAINABLE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00 as 95, $2,050.00 as 98), this is the only example to achieve this grade, the highest awarded by P.S.E. to any example of Scott No. 8a
18c on 9c Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, choice centering with well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates (the former as part of a block of nine), with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $385.00), only one stamp has a higher grade in the P.S.E. Population Report
20c on 10c Offices in China (K10). Mint N.H., intense color that is really quite stunning, gorgeous centering with wide and even margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp in every respect, with 2000 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00), this is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to No. K10
24c on 12c Offices in China (K11). Mint N.H., brilliant color on white paper, sharp proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
This stamp is the second most difficult in the series to obtain with such outstanding centering. It is often the last stamp needed to complete the set by collectors.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,150.00). This is the only example of No. K11 awarded this exalted Superb 98 grade by P.S.E. The next highest grade is XF 90.
30c on 15c Offices in China (K12). Mint N.H., deep rich color, beautiful centering with unusually wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to No. K12 (only one other has achieved this grade)
40c on 20c Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H., bright shade and crisp impression, choice centering with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $630.00), only one No. K13 has been awarded a higher grade in the P.S.E. Population Report
60c on 30c Offices in China (K14). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide and even margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 60-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00), only one other No. K14 has been graded higher by P.S.E.
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., deep rich color nicely contrasted by bright paper, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A VISUALLY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE.
With 1997 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,400.00)
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China (K16). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE. THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATION OF THE SET TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE ONDITION.
With 1998 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,950.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to any example of this issue.
2c on 1c Offices in China (K17). Mint N.H. with selvage at top, deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with huge marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1922 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
With 1993 P.F. certificate. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,000.00), this is the highest grade achieved by any No. K17 at P.S.E. and is one of only three to achieve this exalted grade
4c on 2c Offices in China (K18). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1993 and 2001 P.F. certificates, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $510.00)