Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — Postage Due, Offices in China, Officials, Newspapers, Parcel Post
5c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J11). Disturbed original gum, rich color, couple small to tiny thin spotsFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1879 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1994 and 2017 P.F. certificates. Small backstamp
10c Deep Claret (J35). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Very Fine, with 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates
2c-$2.00 Offices in China (K1-K18). Complete set missing only No. K15, a number are Mint N.H. including several better such as K13-K14 and K17-K18, attractive margins and centering, fresh and Fine-Very Fine with many in the latter category, Scott value more than $2,200.00
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12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Mint N.H., wide margins and well-centered, vivid color, Extremely Fine, with copy of 2010 P.S.E. certificate for a block of four (XF 90)
20c on 10c Offices in China (K10). Jumbo margins and precise centering, vibrant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $300.00 as 98), this is the highest graded unused K10 in any condition
40c on 20c Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, perfectly centered, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A REMARKABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 40-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE THAT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE UPON.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00).Only one grades higher (at 98J) and none share this desirable grade. A review of the P.S.E. Population Report for the underlying stamp, Scott No. 515, will also give an indication of its rarity in higher grades. The significantly more available Scott No. 515 has only 15 Mint N.H. stamps graded 98 or above.
$1.00 on 50c 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.
Ex Morton. With 1999 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,250.00). Only two grade higher (at 98, one recently brought $10,000 hammer) and only five others share this desirable grade.
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Lightly hinged, unusually wide and balanced margins, rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 ON 50-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). Only one unused stamp grades higher (hinged at 98J).
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., wide margins, rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate
2c on 1c Offices in China (K17). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Morton, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,550.00), the highest grade awarded is a 98
6c State, Foreign Entry of 6c Executive (O60 var). Position 41, foreign entry particularly evident in right margin, three wide margins, crossroads cancel, Very Fine and scarce
10c Postal Savings (O126). Mint N.H., outstanding centering with balanced margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $500.00), only one grades higher (at 98J)
10c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O29S). Without gum as issued, pastel color, centered to bottom showing trace of marginal markings in perfs at top, slightly nibbed perf at left, appears Fine, only 163 sold
4c Gray Black, 1875 Special Printing (PR35). Without gum as issued, detailed impression on bright paper, unusually wide margins, thin at top, Very Fine appearance, ex Wingate, with copy of clear 1993 P.S.E. and 2020 P.F. certificates
4c Intense Black, 1894 Issue (PR92). Original gum, single hinge mark at top, intense shade, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
$5.00 Ultramarine, Newspaper (PR109). Original gum, beautiful powder blue shade on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1895 NEWSPAPER ISSUE. VERY RARE IN THIS QUALITY AND THE FINEST EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED.
With 1988 and 2020 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to this issue is also XF 90 (two examples)
2c-$10.00 1895 Watermarked Issue (PR115, PR117 four, PR118 two, PR119 eight, PR121 two, PR122). Presence of watermark unconfirmed so catalogued as the less expensive watermarked, four pieces evidently from post office accounting book, two with manuscript cancels, one with three strikes of negative "B" handstamp, last with quartered corks, $2.00 and one $5.00 straight edge at top, Fine-Very Fine, colorful pieces worthy of exhibition, ex Schwenk
15c Parcel Post (Q7). Mint N.H. right plate no. 6260 block of six, brilliant color and crisp impression, exceptional centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 15-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate
25c Parcel Post (Q9). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 6176 selvage, brilliant color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
75c Parcel Post (Q11). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 6299 selvage, bright color, precise centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PARCEL POST, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
According to Johl and Gobie, the $1.00 Parcel Post stamp originally had the manufacturing design ultimately used for the 25c stamp. This fruit growing scene is from a photograph provided by the Department of Agriculture of a grove in Florida.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $8,000.00). Only three Mint N.H. stamps grade higher (highest is 100) and only five others share this lofty grade.