Sale 1110 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. Revenues, Part 2
Sale Date — Thursday, 1 October, 2015
Category — Proprietary (Scott RB1-RB16)
1c Green & Black on Violet Paper, Imperforate (RB1c). Bottom left corner margin block of twelve, unused (no gum), large margins, rich colors, few faults including thin spots, Very Fine appearance and possibly unique position multiple, Scott Retail as blocks of four
1c Green & Black on Green Paper, Proprietary, Inverted Center (RB1d). Deep rich colors and detailed impressions, bold handstamp cancel, small thin spot, pulled perf at bottom centerA FINE AND RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT ON GREEN PAPER.
Approximately 24 are known. With 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Green and Black on Green, Proprietary (RB3b). Block of 85 which is a half-sheet, selvage at top and sides (missing at top left corner), with imprint at top, most stamps Mint N.H., few small faults including minor perf separations and few creases which do not detract, Fine appearance, a scarce large multiple, ex Cunliffe, Scott Retail as blocks of four, pairs and singles
3c Green and Black on Green, Proprietary (RB3b). Block of 16, original gum, h.r. where some perf separations sensibly reinforced, few faults including some vertical creases, Fine-Very Fine appearance, a scarce large multiple, Scott Retail as used blocks of four
3c Green and Black on Green, Proprietary (RB3b). Reconstructed block of 16 comprised of blocks of ten and six, each with neat manuscript cancel, few small faults, Fine-Very Fine, scarce large multiple, Scott Retail as blocks of four and pairs
6c Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB6a). Block of 24 (6 x 4) with bottom part imprint and plate no. selvage, original gum, h.r., few faults often associated with large multiples including light creases and few thin spots, still Fine-Very Fine, this is the second-largest recorded multiple, one other is known of this size, Scott Retail as used blocks of four
$1.00 Green & Black on Green Paper, Proprietary (RB9b). Deep rich colors and detailed impressions, trace of manuscript cancel at upper right, horizontal crease at bottom ending in tear at rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PROPRIETARY ON GREEN PAPER--LESS THAN TEN ARE KNOWN.
Larry Lyons lists seven used examples in his census. We are aware of one other, and it is unclear if the example offered here is included in his census. The example offered here, with a light cancel allowing the entire design to be seen, and a fault that is not readily apparent, is a great rarity.
1c Green, Proprietary Issue, Rouletted 6 (RB11c). Block of four with top plate no. 3, original gum, top stamps Mint N.H., they also unfortunately have a horizontal crease, bottom left stamp natural gum wrinkle, Very Fine appearance, Scott Retail as hinged block
3c Orange, Proprietary, Rouletted (RB13c). Top imprint and "BuE & P" block of 12, original gum, h.r. where some separations reinforced, few small faults, Fine, this is the largest recorded multiple, Scott Retail as three blocks of four
4c Red Brown, Proprietary, Wmk. 191R (RB14b). Block of 40 with imprint and plate no. 12 at top and right selvage, original gum, some h.r. including where reinforced, few faults including creases, still Fine-Very Fine and scarce plate block, this is the largest recorded multiple, ex Halstead, Scott Retail as ten blocks of four
4c Red, Rouletted, Proprietary (RB15c). Unused (no gum), intense shade on deeply colored paper, Very Fine and choice, ex "Scarsdale", with 2000 P.F. certificate, unpriced in Scott as unused, Scott Retail as used
4c Red, Rouletted, Proprietary (RB15c). Reconstructed vertical pair, original gum, h.r., rich color, Very Fine, no multiples larger than a pair are known
5c Black, Rouletted, Proprietary (RB16c). Original gum, single hinge mark, with part imprint selvage at top, intense shade and impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A DESIRABLE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ROULETTED PROPRIETARY ISSUE WITH PART IMPRINT SELVAGE. THIS IS THE FINEST WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
Several examples of this scarce issue are known unused, but most do not have gum. The example offered here, with full original gum and the part imprint selvage, is truly remarkable.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 2001 P.F. certificate. Unpriced in Scott as unused. Scott Retail as used
5c Black, Rouletted, Proprietary (RB16c). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade and detailed impression, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A PHENOMENALLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ROULETTED PROPRIETARY ISSUE, SCOTT RB16c. THIS IS EASILY ONE OFTHE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as used
5c Black, Rouletted, Proprietary (RB16c). Unobtrusive handstamp cancels, Fine and attractive, with 1984 P.F. certificate
5c Black, Rouletted, Proprietary (RB16c). Unused (no gum), wide margins on fresh paper, detailed impression, Very Fine, signed Spencer Anderson and with his 1945 guarantee, Scott Retail for used
5c Black, Rouletted, Proprietary (RB16c). Horizontal pair, lightly cancelled, both stamps thinned at bottom, left stamp with additional small faults and light staining, otherwise Very Fine, a rare multiple, only a block of five and this pair are recorded, ex Himpsl, with 2011 P.F. certificate, listed but unpriced as a pair in Scott, Scott Retail as singles