Sale 1268 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 16-17 November, 2022
Category — Special Delivery, Registration, Postage Due, Offices in China
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Strip of three with top imprint and plate no. 496, original gum, h.r., perf separations sensibly reinforced, Fine, a scarce multiple, the full imprint and plate no. strip of four catalogues $6,250.00
10c Green, Special Delivery (E7). Top imprint and plate no. 4920 block of six, original gum, top left stamp h.r., others Mint N.H., rich color, Fine-Very Fine
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Mint N.H., bright shade, wide and balanced margins, trivial natural inclusion, Extremely Fine
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E11). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 10274 and letter "F" block of six, fresh color, well-centered, Very Fine and choice plate block
10c Gray Violet, Special Delivery (E12). Mint N.H. full top plate no. 17566 and letter "F" block of six, bold color and well-centered, minor strengthened perfs in ungummed portion of top selvage, Very Fine, Scott value as Mint N.H.
10c Gray Violet, Special Delivery (E12). Bottom plate no. 18684 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged at top center, Very Fine and choice
15c Deep Orange, Special Delivery (E13). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 16836 and letter "F" block of six, vibrant color, right vertical pair with light natural gum skip, Very Fine
15c Deep Orange, Special Delivery (E13). Top plate no. 16859 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged at bottom center, vibrant color, Very Fine and choice
10c Ultramarine, Registration (F1). Wide top imprint, plate no. 5729 and "A" block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, lovely shade on bright paper, Fine-Very Fine, top plate blocks with full selvage are scarce
2c Brown (J2). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1994 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $475.00)
5c Red Brown (J18). Original gum, choice centering, rich color and sharp impression, Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c-$2.00 Offices in China (K1-K18). Complete set, original gum, mostly lightly hinged, few with minor h.r., fresh colors, 24c and $2.00 with minute thin spots, overall Fine-Very Fine set, Nos. K15-K16 with 1990 P.F. certificates
16c on 8c Olive Green, Offices in China (K8a). Mint N.H., outstanding color which is bright and fresh, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 16-CENT ON 8-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE. ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Dr. Killien, "Hanover", and Myerson. With 1992 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F., and no other P.F. graded stamp shares it. By way of comparison, only one 98J is in the P.S.E. Population Report, and only one grades higher (at 100). The highest grade awarded to the K8 basic shade is 98.
$1.00 on 50c Light Violet, Offices in China (K15). Bright color, wide margins, U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine, scarce in used condition with the U.S. Postal Agency cancel
$2.00 on $1.00 Violet Brown, Offices in China (K16). Deep rich color, tied by U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai, China duplex cancel on small piece, Very Fine, scarce in used condition with the U.S. Postal Agency cancel
$2.00 on $1.00 Violet Brown, Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, clear second surcharge significantly displaced from the otherVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE $2.00 ON $1.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
The Offices in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing. Many are off-center.
Ex Myerson. With 2015 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)