Sale 1278 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 21-23 March, 2023
Category — Special Delivery, Postage Due, Offices in China
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
3865
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Mint N.H., well-centered and with wonderfully fresh color, Very Fine and choice, ex "Vineyard", with 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates
1,300
800
3866
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely margins and unusually well-centered, strong color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $800.00)
575
750
Back to Top3867
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and choice centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $725.00)
500
900
Back to Top3868
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Original gum, lightly hinged, exceptionally wide margins and well-centered, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
500
650
Back to Top3869
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Mint N.H., vivid color, excellent centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,500.00)
650
1,000
Back to Top3870
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Mint N.H., radiant color, Very Fine and choice, with 2014 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
650
425
Back to Top3871°
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Mint N.H. wide bottom right corner selvage imprint and plate no. 552 block of eight, choice centering and radiant color, tiny perf thin in selvage at lower right not affecting the plate block selvage and not mentioned on certificate, which does mention two stamps with light natural gum wrinkles (utterly inconsequential)EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1893 10-CENT COLUMBIAN SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
There are perhaps a dozen plate blocks known of the 1893 Issue, Scott E3, which is an extension of the Columbian Issue commemoratives. Two plates were used to print this issue--the same two plates that were used to print Scott E2. Our informal survey of the records of The Philatelic Foundation and auction catalogues found ten, plus two contained in a pane which may no longer be intact. The plate block offered here is one of only two we could find from the bottom right position of Plate 552.
Ex Gross. With 2023 P.S.E. certificate.
16,500
0
Back to Top3872
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and outstanding centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2000 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,250.00)
875
1,600
Back to Top3873
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Original gum, exceptional depth of color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1999 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90 Jumbo)
875
1,200
Back to Top3874
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E5). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense color, with line thru "POST" of "POSTAL", choice centering and Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00 with no premium for the variety), Scott value with no premium for the variety
210
425
Back to Top3875
10c Blue, Special Delivery, Dots in Curved Frame Above Messenger (E5a). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 882 selvage, outstanding centering with wide margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE WITH DOTS ABOVE THE MESSENGER VARIETY. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE TOP PLATE NUMBER.
The Dots in Curved Frame above Messenger variety (E5a) comes only from plate 882, which makes this stamp particularly desirable since it is easily identified. It is priced in Scott at nearly double the normal E5.
With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates, both noting the variety but issued before Scott added the sub-listing No. E5a (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90). Only one stamp grades higher (at 98, last offered in our Morton Sale 1219).
800
5,000
Back to Top3876
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, ex Hoffman, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,400.00)
500
800
Back to Top3877
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and choice centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00)
500
600
Back to Top3878
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 5244-09 selvage, hinged in selvage only, bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 2021 P.F. certificate for a strip of three
500
350
Back to Top3879
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H., choice centering and margins, bright and fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
500
425
Back to Top3880
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H., wide and well-balanced margins, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $850.00)
500
500
Back to Top3881
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H., dark color, nicely balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $850.00)
500
500
Back to Top3882
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 5243 selvage, bright color, well-centered with extra wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00 without premium for the plate no.)
500
400
Back to Top3883
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H., wide margins and well-centered, bright color, Very Fine and choice, with conflicting certificates, 2014 and 2022 P.S.E. certificates as Mint N.H. and sound (VF 80), with 2022 P.F. certificate stating Mint N.H. and reperfed at bottom
500
425
Back to Top3884
10c Dark Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Block of four with wide left arrow selvage, original gum, bottom left stamp Mint N.H., wonderful depth of color in the Dark Ultramarine, attractive centering, Very Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate, Scott value as singles
1,190
300
Back to Top3885
10c Green, Special Delivery (E7). Mint N.H., wide margins and outstanding centering, deep rich color, post office fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
140
350
Back to Top3886
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E8). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, deep rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1993 and 2008 P.F. certificates, the former showing top plate no. selvage which has become detached but accompanies
250
225
Back to Top3887
10c Ultramarine (E9). Mint N.H. with plate no. 5854 top selvage, intense color on bright paper, choice centering with extra wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Scarsdale", with 1994 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00 without premium for the plate no.)
425
1,800
Back to Top3888
10c Ultramarine (E9). Mint N.H., attractive pale shade, beautiful centering with enormous margins all around, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, ex "Scarsdale", with 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00)
425
650
Back to Top3889
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E9). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
425
550
Back to Top3890
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E9). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with copy of 2021 P.S.A.G. certificate for a block of four (bottom left)
425
325
Back to Top3891
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Mint N.H., crisp impression, choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo)
750
850
Back to Top3892
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E11). Mint N.H., massive Jumbo margins and excellent centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00)
45
375
Back to Top3893
10c Gray Violet, Special Delivery (E12). Mint N.H., choice wide margins and centering, strong color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
95
400
Back to Top3894
3c Red Brown (J17). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade of Red Brown, fresh and Very Fine, with 1995 and 2009 P.F. certificates
1,050
550
Back to Top3895
3c Red Brown (J17). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, fresh and Fine, with 1977 and 2009 P.F. certificates
1,050
375
Back to Top3896
3c Red Brown (J17). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, fresh and Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
1,050
250
Back to Top3897
1c-50c Bright Claret, 1891-93 Postage Dues, Imperforate (J22P5-J28P5, formerly J22a-J28a). Horizontal pairs, original gum, lightly hinged, full to large margins, the 50c just touched at right, brilliant colors, 2c faint crease and 30c small scrape on one stamp, Very Fine and scarce, these are catalogued with small faults and this set is particularly fresh
View PDF of contents of this lot
3,125
700
Back to Top3898
5c Bright Claret (J25). Mint N.H. block of four, bottom left stamp natural gum skip, vivid color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, Scott value as singles
1,160
0
Back to Top3899
30c Bright Claret (J27). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins, fresh and Very Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
575
950
Back to Top3900
50c Bright Claret (J28). Original gum, rich color, well-centered, fresh and Very Fine, ex Cole and Zoellner, with 1988 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates
625
325
Back to Top3901
1c Vermilion (J29). Original gum, well-centered with balanced margins, fresh and bright colorEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1894 ONE-CENT VERMILION POSTAGE DUE IS RARE IN THIS CHOICE CONDITION.
With 1997 and 2006 P.F. certificates
2,350
1,900
Back to Top3902
1c Vermilion (J29). Original gum, barely hinged if at all (Champagne had this as Mint N.H.), bright color, corner crease at bottom right slightly breaks the paper on back, otherwise Fine, a presentable example of this scarce issue, with copy of 1991 P.F. certificate for a block (bottom right stamp, stating "small corner crease")
2,350
550
Back to Top3903
2c Vermilion (J30). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep color and sharp impression, well-centered, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, ex Zoellner, with 1994 P.F. certificate
775
850
Back to Top3904
2c Deep Vermilion (J30 var). Original gum, vivid color in the Deep Vermilion, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 and 2017 P.F. certificates
775
425
Back to Top3905
5c Deep Claret (J34). Mint N.H., choice centering and margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,100.00), this is an exceedingly difficult stamp to find in the higher grades, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only three Mint N.H. at this 85 grade and just one higher (at 90)
850
800
Back to Top3906
10c Deep Claret (J35). Mint N.H., wide margins and well-centered, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,300.00), like the J34 offered in the previous lot, this is a very difficult stamp to find in the higher grades, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only five Mint N.H. at this 85 grade and just one higher (at 100)
1,000
850
Back to Top3907
10c Deep Claret (J42). Mint N.H., choice centering, uncharacteristically wide margins, fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 2000 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
280
400
Back to Top3908
30c Deep Claret (J43). Original gum, wide margins and choice centering, fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
600
650
Back to Top3909
30c Deep Claret (J43). Original gum, brilliant color, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, P.F. certificate no. 427218 no longer accompanies (copy from P.F. website included)
600
450
Back to Top3910
3c Deep Claret (J47). Original gum, faintly hinged, beautiful color, Very Fine and choice, with 1982 and 2008 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
625
750
Back to Top3911
3c Deep Claret (J47). Original gum, extra wide margins, brilliant color, Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
625
425
Back to Top3912
3c Deep Claret (J47). Original gum, wide margins at sides and well balanced top-to-bottom, Very Fine, with 2013 P.S.A.G. certificate
625
400
Back to Top3913
10c Rose Carmine (J49a). Mint N.H., vivid color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $475.00)
280
325
Back to Top3914
3c Dull Rose (J54a). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, nicely balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 1994 P.F. certificate
1,000
600
Back to Top3915
30c Carmine Lake (J57). Mint N.H. with left plate no. 5526 selvage, extraordinarily wide margins, excellent centering, vivid color and impression, Extremely Fine, with 1989, 2001 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
525
650
Back to Top3916
30c Carmine Lake (J57). Mint N.H., excellent centering, wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1995 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
525
700
Back to Top3917
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Original gum, lightly hinged and with natural perf disc impression on gum, radiant color, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 1914 50-CENT ISSUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL POSTAGE DUE STAMPS.
Scott No. J58 has the highest catalogue value of any regularly issued Postage Due stamp. Only the few rarest Special Printings catalogue higher. This stamp is a key to any meaningful collection of the Postage Due issues.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
11,500
5,250
Back to Top3918
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Rich color, centered to bottom right, smudgy cancel but not a precancel, Fine, a sound and collectible used example of this scarce stamp which is often encountered with faults, with 2006 P.F. certificate
1,700
350
Back to Top3919
1c Rose (J59). Original gum, barely hinged, fresh color on bright paper with full perfs all around, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE, SCOTT J59.
The unwatermarked 1c and 2c Perf 10 Postage Due stamps (Scott J59 and J60) were only in production for a short period of time before being replaced by the Perf 11 stamps. Well-centered original-gum examples, particularly of the 1c are exceedingly rare.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
4,000
2,600
Back to Top3920
1c Rose (J59). Well-centered, bright color, oval cancel, Very Fine, with 1997 P.S.E. and 2009 P.F. certificates
750
550
Back to Top3921
2c Rose (J60). Mint N.H., brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, ex Hoffman, with 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates
625
350
Back to Top3922
2c Rose (J60). Mint N.H., wide margins with bright pastel color, Very Fine, with 2011 P.F. certificate
625
325
Back to Top3923
2c Rose (J60). Mint N.H., wide margins and excellent centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.F. certificate (XF 90), also includes Mint N.H. No. J73, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
667
800
Back to Top3924
30c Carmine (J75). Mint N.H., wonderfully centered with intense color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $675.00)
375
425
Back to Top3925
2c-$2.00 Offices in China (K1-K18). Complete set including three each of K8 and K11, original gum, some are lightly hinged while others with h.r., Fine
View PDF of contents of this lot
2,120
550
Back to Top3926
2c-$1.00 Offices in China (K1-K15). Nine used stamps, including two each K1, K2 and K13, single examples of K10 and K15, cancels include cork and duplex, couple small flaws, appear Fine, also includes 3c Bank Note issue with purple "U.S." Postal Agency cancel and piece with Shanghai double-circle datestamp
View PDF of contents of this lot
2,070
325
Back to Top3927
4c on 2c Offices in China (K2). Mint N.H. radiant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Hanover", with 2003, 2006 and 2017 P.F. certificates (last two XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison, only three grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report
67
600
Back to Top3928
6c on 3c Offices in China (K3). Mint N.H., deep shade on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a surprisingly difficult denomination to find in higher grades, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only two have graded higher (both 98) and only nine others share this grade
140
1,400
Back to Top3929
8c on 4c Offices in China (K4). Mint N.H., wide and balanced margins, rich color on crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Sacramento", with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $975.00), only three grade higher (one at 95J, two at 98), this is the only example in this grade we have offered since 2009
140
1,500
Back to Top3930
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON 5-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,250.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J, realized $4,750.00 hammer in our 2016 "Hanover" sale) and only five others share this desirable grade. This is the only example in this grade we have offered since 2012.
160
2,500
Back to Top3931
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Mint N.H., wide margins of near Jumbo proportions and choice centering, strong color, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
160
250
Back to Top3932
12c on 6c Red Orange, Offices in China (K6). Mint N.H., vibrant color and bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2006 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (both XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), only seven grade higher (highest is two at 98J)
210
900
Back to Top3933
14c on 7c Black, Offices in China (K7). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only one grades higher (at 98, realized $3,500 hammer in 2016)
215
1,000
Back to Top3934
16c on 8c Offices in China (K8). Mint N.H., pretty shade, beautiful centering with well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1980 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00), only two grade higher (both at 98) and only ten share this desirable grade
180
1,100
Back to Top3935
18c on 9c Salmon Red, Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H., vivid color, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00), only seven grade higher (two at 95J, five at 98)
150
850
Back to Top3936
20c on 10c Orange Yellow, Offices in China (K10). Mint N.H., vibrant color, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison only four grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report (highest is 98)
140
850
Back to Top3937
24c on 12c Offices in China (K11). Mint N.H., deep rich color, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Myerson, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only one grades higher (at 98, brought $4,500 hammer in 2016) and only one other shares this desirable grade, we have never offered the other in this grade
190
2,100
Back to Top3938
30c on 15c Offices in China (K12). Mint N.H., deep rich color, perfect centering with unusually wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Beverly Hills" and Myerson. With 2007 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (both Superb 98; SMQ $3,250.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade and only two grade higher (one at 100 and one at 100J which realized $9,000 hammer in our 2016 "Hanover" sale)
200
3,750
Back to Top3939
$1.00 on 50c Light Violet, Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., deep rich color, essentially perfect centering with wide margins on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 ON 50-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN OUTSTANDING CONDITION RARITY.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,250.00). Only two grade higher (both at 98, one recently brought $10,000 hammer) and only five others share this desirable grade.
1,200
5,750
Back to Top3940
$1.00 on 50c Light Violet, Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., bright color, Very Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
1,200
425
Back to Top3941
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China (K16). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Morton. With 1997 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ). Only two grade higher (both 98) and one shares this desirable grade.
925
10,500
Back to Top3942
4c on 2c Carmine, Offices in China (K18). Mint N.H., brilliant color, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is 95J (three at that grade) and only six are graded 95
225
2,400
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