Sale 1288 — The Nelson Berman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday, 22 June, 2023
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 359-366)
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Original gum, h.r., intense shade on deeply blued paper, far better centering than normally seen on this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Light blue backstamp. With 1969 P.F. certificate.
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Original gum, h.r., rich color on deeply blued paper, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER.
The June 1910 Third Assistant Postmaster General's report states that 4,400 (eleven sheets) of the 4c were printed on Bluish Paper. It is believed that none of the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps were distributed to post offices, and that all of the examples in collectors' hands reached the market through the Travers-Steinmetz exchange and the 1914 National Museum trades to H. F. Colman (12 copies) and Nassau Stamp Company (65 copies).
Signed in pencil. Small backstamp. With 1960 P.F. certificate.
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Original gum, intense shade on nicely blued paper, reperfed at rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1993 P.F. certificate not noting the reperfing.
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Original gum lightly hinged, some oxidation, otherwise Very Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate prior to oxidation
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Original gum, h.r., lovely color on deeply blued paper, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE. A FRESH AND SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
The June 1910 Third Assistant Postmaster General’s report states that 4,000 (ten sheets) of the 8c were printed on Bluish Paper. It is believed that none of the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps were distributed to post offices, and that all of the examples in collectors’ hands reached the market through the Travers-Steinmetz exchange and the 1914 National Museum trades to H. F. Colman (12 copies) and Nassau Stamp Company (65 copies).
Small backstamp. With 1986 P.F. certificate.
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Original gum, brilliant color on nicely blued paper, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1987 P.F. certificate.
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and proof-like impression on nicely blued paperVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Signed by Colman in pencil. With 1966 P.F. certificate.
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on deeply blued paper, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, blue backstamp, with 1987 P.F. certificate