Sale 1116 — United States Stamps and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 16-17 December, 2015
Category — Special Delivery thru Offices in China
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins, intense shade on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Original gum, paper h.r., deep rich color and proof-like impression, Very Fine
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H. with plate no. 1482 and part imprint selvage, uncommonly wide margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ -- the "XQ" denotes extraordinary quality)
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H., well-balanced margins, bright and fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $850.00)
10c Green, Special Delivery (E7). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 4916 block of six, bold color on fresh paper, Very Fine, a lovely plate block
10c Ultramarine (E9). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificates for a block and as this single (XF 90)
10c Ultramarine, Registration (F1). Bottom imprint, plate no. 5729 and letter A and block of six, lightly hinged, rich color, a few rejoined perfs at right, Very Fine
50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Disturbed original gum, deep rich color, proof-like impression and cameo of the Special Printing, nicely balanced marginsVERY FINE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. Many are faulty to some degree.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate
1c Bright Claret (J22). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 313 block of 10, rich color, Fine-Very Fine, this is the only Mint N.H. top plate block listed in Power Search, unlisted in Scott as a Mint N.H. plate block, Scott Retail as singles without regard to the position
1c Deep Claret (J31). Mint N.H. left arrow selvage block of four, vivid color, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles
50c Deep Claret (J44). Block of four, brilliant color, well-centered, neat central strike of South Omaha Nebraska received handstamp, a few horizontal perf separations not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine and choice, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85)
3c Carmine Lake (J54). Mint N.H., intense hade and impression, well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 3-CENT POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate
1c-8c 1910-11 Issue, Darrah Ty. II Overprint (336 var, 376 var-378 var, 405 var-406 var, 414 var, 416 var, 421 var, JQ1 var, JQ5 var). Eleven used stamps, 1c-10c, 50c plus two Parcel Post Postage Dues, each with clear U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai cancel, few small faults, Fine-Very Fine, especially scarce in used condition
18c on 9c Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H. with left selvage, vivid color, perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of this issue, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,650.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others
18c on 9c Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H., beautifully centered, bright color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $425.00)
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Lightly hinged, intense shade, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85), a very strong 85, in our opinion this should have graded higher
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Pretty shade, light strike of Nov. 15, 1922 Shanghai cancel, Fine, scarce in used condition
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, neat roller cancel from U.S. Post Office in Shanghai, tiny internal wrinkleFINE AND RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE.
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. This stamp is far scarcer in used condition. Approximately six covers are known (at least one of which is dated Dec. 4).
Ex Tows
4c on 2c Offices in China (K18). Top plate no. 13129 block of six with wide selvage, lightly hinged, brilliant color, few perf separations, still Very Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate not mentioning separations
2c-$2.00 Offices in China (K1-K16). Complete set, tied by "U.S. Pos. Service, Shanghai China Dec. 30, 1922" duplex cancels on two matching covers sent to Astor House Hotel in ShanghaiVERY FINE. A SCARCE AND COLORFUL PAIR OF COVERS WITH THE ENTIRE SET OF SIXTEEN STAMPS OVERPRINTED BY THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING FOR USE AT THE POSTAL AGENCY IN CHINA. USED ON THE NEXT TO LAST DAY THE U.S. POSTAL AGENCY IN SHANGHAI WAS OPEN.
As U.S. economic interests in China increased, the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai requested a supply of stamps that could be used at local post offices. At the time, the exchange rate between U.S. and Shanghai dollars was 2:1, and a series of Washington-Franklin stamps were officially overprinted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. These were placed on sale on July 1, 1919. After World War I, provisions were made to close almost all foreign post offices in China. The U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai closed after December 31, 1922.
2c on 1c Offices in China (K1). Block of eight tied by "U.S. Pos. Service, Shanghai, China" duplex cancels on reverse of 1920 cover to Amsterdam, Holland, receiving backstamp, cover with a few bends not affecting stamps or markings, Very Fine