Sale 958 — 2008 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 7 June, 2008
Category — Washington-Franklin and Commemorative Issues
6c Red Orange (336). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, mathematically precise centering with extra wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP, WITH PERFECT CENTERING, GORGEOUS COLOR, LONG AND FULL PERFORATIONS AND GREAT IMPRESSION, HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $5,800.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. There is one graded 98J, and then the next-highest grade is 95. This first Washington-Franklin Issue is particularly difficult to find with such choice centering.
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Pair, vibrant color, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE 10-CENT COIL, SCOTT 356, WITH BOTH STAMPS WELL-CENTERED. TRULY A CONDITION RARITY.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $10,500.00). Only one pair has graded higher to date and only three others share this grade.
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Pair, rich color with a hint of overall oxidation not noted on accompanying certificate, unusually wide margins, trace of guideline along perfs at leftVERY FINE PAIR OF THE 10-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 356.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Mint N.H., deep rich color on nicely blued paper, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1995 and 2006 P.F. certificates. We have sold only six other Mint N.H. examples in the past 14 years. Four of those had centering similar to the example offered here.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Top left corner margin, barest trace of hinge at bottom right along one or two perfs visible only when cross-lighting the stamp, rich color on deeply blued paper, perfect centering with wide and well-balanced margins, small ms. "X" control mark at top left selvageEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ARGUABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BLUISH PAPER ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN TERMS OF MARGINS, COLOR, CENTERING AND GUM.
Ex Drucker. With 1978 P.F. certificate as block of four and with 2002 P.F. certificate.
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Choice centering with wide margins, intense color on deeply blued paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER. RARE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives.
Ex North Fork. With 1971, 1989 and 2000 P.F. certificates
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Lightly hinged, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, intense color on deeply blued paperEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER. RARE IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Our Levi records show perhaps three Mint N.H. examples, all of which are off center.
With 1964 and 1990 P.F. certificates
6c Red Orange (379).Mint N.H., electrifying color which is as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with enormous marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1911 6-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 1992 and 2000 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ in any grade higher than 98, SMQ $3,500.00 as 98). Only one other shares this lofty grade, which was offered in our Scarsdale sale and realized $9,500 hammer.
15c Pale Ultramarine (382). Top imprint and plate no. 4954 bock of six with wide selvage, brilliant color, op stamps Mint N.H., bottom stamps lightly hingedFINE-VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 15-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK PERF 12 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ISSUE, SCOTT 382.
With 1989 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (388). Guide line pair, small h.r., brilliant colorA FINE AND RARE GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 1910 2-CENT PERF 12 COIL WITH SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK, SCOTT 388.
With 1970 P.F. certificate.
3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (389). Choice centering for this difficult issue with wide margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression showing every detail of the engraving, neat wavy-line machine cancel used at Orangeburg N.Y.VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL.
Due to their use on mass mailings, many of the existing Orangeburg coils are faulty to some extent. The most common defects are corner creases or tears. Sound and well-centered copies have been recognized by collectors as truly rare, and bidding has been fierce for premium copies such as the stamp offered here.
With 1976 and 2002 P.F. certificates