Sale 1278 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 21-23 March, 2023
Category — Officials, Parcel Post, Postal Stationery
12c Yellow, Agriculture (O6). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, wide margins, Very Fine, ex "Vineyard", with 1993 P.S.E. and 2005 P.F. certificates
15c Yellow, Agriculture (O7). Original gum, vivid color, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 1997 P.S.E. certificate
24c Yellow, Agriculture (O8). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
30c Yellow, Agriculture (O9). Mint N.H., fiery color, choice balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HNGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT AGRICULTURE OFFICIAL, GRADED XF 90 BY THE P.F.
As advanced collectors of Officials are aware, finding all but the most common low denomination stamps in Mint N.H. condition is a great challenge. This Mint N.H., centered 30c Agriculture is an exceptional rarity.
With 2018 P.F. certificate (XF 90). This is the highest P.F. graded example and no others are equal. By way of comparison, the highest P.S.E. Mint N.H. grade is also 90 (two examples).
1c Carmine, Executive (O10). Original gum, wonderfully fresh with marvelous color, Extremely Fine for this, with 2007 P.F. certificate
3c Carmine, Executive (O12). Slightly disturbed original gum, vibrant color, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate as "o.g., previously hinged"
10c Carmine, Executive (O14). Original gum, gorgeous color, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
1c Vermilion, Interior (O15). Bottom imprint and plate no. 52 block of 20, with side selvage and comprising the bottom two rows of the plate, original gum, essentially all stamps including the plate block of ten Mint N.H., but some old adherence at bottom right knocks that stamp out of the Mint N.H. category (outside the plate block), brilliant color, few small faults including nicked at bottom of selvage below imprint where there is also a small tear, some perf separations, Fine and attractive large plate block, Scott value as Mint N.H. plate block and singles (one counted as hinged)
2c Vermilion, Interior (O16). Bottom left corner selvage block of eight with full imprint, original gum, pos. 1-2, 4 and 7-8 Mint N.H., showing plate scratch under bottom left stamp (Pos. 91 on the plate), bright color, Very Good-Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate, Scott value as singles
2c Vermilion, Interior (O16). Bottom left corner imprint and plate no. 15 block of 12, intermediate paper, some stamps at the left Mint N.H., adherence on the gum of two stamps at bottom right, slight soiling, appears Fine
30c Dark Green, State (O66). Original gum, intense color and beautifully centered, Extremely Fine, ex "Vineyard", with 1990 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates
6c Brown, Treasury (O75). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 51 block of 20, with side selvage and comprising the bottom two rows of the plate, deep rich color, natural gum skips in two stamps at bottom right (outside the plate block), nicked in selvage below the imprint, some natural paper bends and some perf separations mostly confined to selvageFINE AND EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF 20 OF THE 6-CENT TREASURY OFFICIAL ISSUE.
A Power Search review failed to find any other Mint N.H. blocks of this issue -- plate blocks or otherwise. Scott value as plate block of 12 and singles
12c Brown, Treasury (O78). Top imprint and plate no. 46 strip of six, original gum, natural gum creases and skips in left three stamps, deep rich colorFINE AND EXCEPTIONALLY RARE. THIS IS THE ONLY IMPRINT OR PLATE NUMBER STAMP OR MULTIPLE WE HAVE OFFERED OF THE 12-CENT TREASURY OFFICIAL ISSUE. THIS STRIP IS UNLISTED IN DURLAND.
The 2020 Durland Catalogue lists for Scott O78 "a bottom block of four and two singles with 50-75% plate number inside perfs at top are known". This strip of six with complete imprint and plate no. comes from an old-time collection and was probably acquired in the 1960's to early 1970's. Power Search does not list even a single of Scott O78 with a plate number.
Unlisted in Scott in any kind of imprint or plate number format.
90c Rose, War (O93). Original gum, slightly disturbed at top, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $650.00)
1c Yellow, Agriculture, Soft Paper (O94). Without gum as issued, brilliant color on fresh and clean paper, attractive centering and marginsVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT AGRICULTURE AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER.
With 2006 P.F. certificate.
3c Yellow, Agriculture, Soft Paper (O95). Original gum, bright color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
24c Pale Vermilion, Interior, Soft Paper (O103). Original gum, rich color, three wide marginsFINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 24-CENT INTERIOR AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING.
With 2006 P.F. certificate
24c Pale Vermilion, Interior, Soft Paper (O103). Original gum, single hinge mark, brilliant colorFINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 24-CENT INTERIOR AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING.
Ex "Newport" and "Cloudrest.". With 2008 P.F. certificate
6c Bluish Purple, Justice, Soft Paper (O107). Original gum, small h.r., bright color, Very Fine and choice, ex "Cloudrest", with 2012 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
$1.00 Ultramarine, Postal Savings (O123). Mint N.H., choice centering and margins, pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
$1.00 Ultramarine, Postal Savings (O123). Mint N.H. with bottom part imprint selvage, pretty pastel color, Very Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate for a pair
1c Carmine, Executive, Split Specimen Ovpt. (O10S-D var). Without gum as issued, shifted "Specimen" overprint with large portion of letter "N" appearing in left margin, brilliant color, Fine and extremely unusual, we have not encountered another example with a large enough overprint shift to cause part of the letter to print on the other side, with 2022 P.F. certificate, accompanied by a second example also showing a major shift but without the split letter
1c Gray Blue, Navy, Soft Porous Paper, Double Specimen Ovpt. (O35xSa). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and choice centering, central thin spot, Extremely Fine appearance, these scarce stamps nearly always have faults and this one is quite well-centered, with 2022 P.F. certificate
1c Gray Blue, Navy, Soft Porous Paper, Double Specimen Ovpt. (O35xSa). Without gum as issued, clear displacement of second overprint, deep rich color, faults including a thin and a tear, pulled perf, otherwise Fine, these scarce stamps nearly always have faults, with 2002 A.P.S. and 2022 P.F. certificates
15c Ultramarine, Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (O42S). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as often seen, rich color and well-centered, Very Fine
15c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O53S). Without gum as issued, bright shade, a few blunted perfs at top from scissors-separation, fresh and Very Fine
90c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O56S). Without gum as issued, well-centered with some scissors-separation but intact perfs, small corner crease at top left, appears Very Fine
Officials Small Balance. Three stamps, No. O5 original gum, barely hinged if at all, three wide margins, Fine, No. O32 disturbed large part original gum, Fine, No. O35xS, without gum as issued, Very Fine
24c Rose, 1875 Issue (PR17). Original gum, vivid color, exceptional centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 24-CENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This issue is almost non-existent with original gum in the highest grades. This is the only graded stamp on the P.F. website. For P.S.E., there is only one listed with original gum, graded 90.
24c Pink, 1894 Issue (PR96). Mint N.H., attractive centering with perfs clear of design all around, brilliant colorVERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 24-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU NEWSPAPER ISSUE.
The 1894 Bureau printing was made from the old plates of the American and Continental Bank Note Companies. The plates were re-entered, and there are also other differences in the printings, including the paper and gum. This issue was not in service for very long before the new plates were ready for the Bureau-produced issue of 1895.
With copy of 2015 P.F. certificate for a block of four (top right stamp). With 2022 P.S.E. certificate
1c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q1). Mint N.H., radiant color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $300.00)
2c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q2). Mint N.H., brilliant color and crisp impression, Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00)
4c-5c, 20c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q4-Q5, Q8). Mint N.H., brilliant colors and choice centering, Extremely Fine trio, Q4 with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo), Q5 with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), Q8 with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90), total SQM as all P.S.E. graded $1,215.00
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4c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q4). Mint N.H., rich color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $750.00)
4c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q4). Mint N.H., wide margins and excellent centering, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, P.F. certificate no. 397617 no longer accompanies (copy from P.F. website included)
4c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q4). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6360 and "FOUR" block of four, brilliant color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott value as hinged
5c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q5). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, brilliant color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $850.00)
5c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q5). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, gorgeous centering Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
10c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q6). Mint N.H., brilliant color, essentially perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,200.00), only two grade higher (at 98J and 100J, we have never offered either)
15c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q7). Mint N.H., intense color, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
20c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q8). Mint N.H., huge margins and outstanding centering, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2004 P.F. certificate
50c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q10). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,250.00)
50c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q10). Mint N.H., fresh color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate
50c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q10). Mint N.H., bright color, well-centered, fresh and Very Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $600.00)
50c Parcel Post (Q10). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6427 and "FIFTY" block of four, rich color, the bottom pair particularly well-centeredVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE AND EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE.
This top plate block is extremely rare, particularly in this choice Mint N.H. condition. Incredibly, we have not offered another top position Mint N.H. plate block in any sale since 1993, apart from this block in our 2004 Rarities sale. The $2,500.00 Scott value for this plate block also seems out of date and inappropriate, given that the side plate block of six catalogues $24,000.00. In fact, four Mint N.H. singles are priced at $2,100.00 -- barely less than this plate block.
With 1999 P.F. certificate.
75c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q11). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
75c Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q11). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 6296 selvage, bright and fresh with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $425.00)
$1.00 Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q12). Mint N.H., beautiful bright color, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PARCEL POST ISSUE.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,850.00)
$1.00 Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q12). Mint N.H., brilliant color, sharp proof-like impression, wonderful centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PARCEL POST ISSUE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,850.00)
$1.00 Carmine Rose, Parcel Post (Q12). Mint N.H., brilliant color, Very Fine, with copy of 2002 P.F. certificate for a block of four (top left stamp)
1c-2c, 10c Dark Green, Parcel Post Postage Due (JQ1-JQ2, JQ4). Four Mint N.H. stamps including two 2c, excellent centering and bright colors, Extremely Fine, 1c with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90J), both 2c with P.F. certificates and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (both XF 90), 10c with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85), total SMQ $1,430.00
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25c Dark Green, Parcel Post Postage Due (JQ5). Mint N.H., wide and beautifully balanced margins, deep color and sharp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
5c Blue on White Entire, Air Post, Die Essay on Bond (UC1E; Undersander EAM1Bc). 215 x 280mm full-size essay on "Empire Bond" papermaker's watermark, pristine and Extremely Fine, only a couple thought to exist
10c Blue & Red on Blue entire, Air Post, Red Omitted (UC32c; UPSS ALS-6b). Unused, Very Fine, a seldom offered error
10c Blue & Red on Blue entire, Air Post, Blue Omitted (UC32c; UPSS ALS-6c). Unused, rich colors, Very Fine and choice