Sale 958 — 2008 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 7 June, 2008
Category — Washington-Franklin Issues (continued)
1c Green, Perf 12 x 10 (423A; formerly 424a). Deep rich color, bold "Quincy Illinois" precancel, wide marginsVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1914 PERFORATED 12 x 10 ISSUE.
Our up-to-date census of Scott 423A is available at our website, at http://siegelauctions.com/enc/census/423A/423A.htm. In addition to some unused copies, we record a used total of 31 singles, eleven pairs, a block of four and three covers.
Census No. 423A-CAN-30. With 1962 P.F. certificate.
1c Green, Perf 12 x 10 (423A; formerly 424a). Deep rich color, bold "Chicago Illinois" precancel (inverted), three wide margins, small corner crease at top rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1914 PERFORATED 12 x 10 ISSUE.
Our up-to-date census of Scott 423A is available at our website, at http://siegelauctions.com/enc/census/423A/423A.htm. In addition to some unused copies, we record a used total of 32 singles, eleven pairs, a block of four and three covers. Twelve copies are known with the inverted Chicago precancel -- this example is a new addition to our census.
Census No. 423A-CAN-32. With 2008 P.F. certificate.
1c Green, Perf 10 x 12 (423D; formerly 424b). Deep rich color on bright paper, neat duplex cancel, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF ONLY THIRTEEN SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE 1914 ONE-CENT PERF 10 x 12 ISSUE.
Our census of Scott 423D published at our website at http://siegelauctions.com/enc/census/423D/423D.htm, contains 40 stamps. All genuine stamps are used, including 33 with the Dayton precancel.
Census No. 423D-CAN-33. With 1958 P.F. certificate
10c Orange Yellow (433). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONE OF ONLY THREE EXAMPLES TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,400.00). Only two others share this grade which is the highest awarded to date.
20c Ultramarine (438). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6926 block of six with wide selvage, bright color, exceptionally freshEXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE AND BEAUTIFULLY-CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 20-CENT PERF 10 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED FRANKLIN ISSUE WITH WIDE TOP SELVAGE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Pair, barest trace of hinging (bottom stamp appears Mint N.H.), brilliant color, wide marginsFINE-VERY FINE PAIR OF THE RARE 1915 TYPE I VERTICAL COIL.
With 1975 P.F. certificate
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE I ROTARY PRESS VERTICAL COIL.
Ex Vineyard. With 1994 and 2004 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Joint line pair, face-free oval cancel, fresh and bright color, wide margins at sides, perfs intact at top and bottom, negligible tiny tear at bottom leftFINE APPEARANCE. ONLY TEN USED JOINT LINE PAIRS AND ONE USED JOINT LINE STRIP OF FOUR OF SCOTT 449 HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. A MAJOR RARITY.
The 2c Type I rotary plate was used very briefly to make vertical coils issued in December 1915. It was superseded in February 1916 by the Type III plate. The early printing of the 2c Rotary Vertical Coil was almost completely overlooked by contemporary collectors and dealers, who did not anticipate further production of vertical coils. With the basic letter rate at 2c, used coil multiples are extremely rare.
Of the ten recorded used joint line pairs, only three are sound and centered. The finest used line pair realized $52,500 hammer at auction approximately one year ago.
With 1987 P.F. certificate
3c Violet, Coil (456). Mint N.H. pair, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE 3-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 456.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,550.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only two others share this grade.
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide and well-balanced margins, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 10 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK $1.00 FRANKLIN IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE, AND IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
Even though this issue is not particularly rare, collectors who have been searching know the extremely difficulty obtaining examples with such perfect centering and in such pristine condition.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $29,200.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only four others have been awarded this highly desirable grade
5c Blue (466). Mint N.H. top plate no. 7787 block of six with wide selvage, intense shade and impression on bright paper, choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED ISSUE, SCOTT 466.
With 2006 P.F. certificate. This is only the second Mint N.H. plate block we have offered since keeping computerized records, and we feel this is woefully undercatalogued in Scott.
30c Orange Red, Perf 10 (476A). Position 100 from Plate No. 6911 and with selvage at right and natural s.e. at bottom, Mint N.H., vibrant colorFINE EXAMPLE OF THE VERY RARE 30-CENT PERF 10 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.
With 1984 P.F. certificate
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia, Imperforate, Schermack Ty. III Private Perforation (482A). Deep rich color on bright white paper, Schermack perforations completely intact at left and with full Schermack perfs at right, neat machine cancel, completely sound except certificate mentions tiny break at bottom of upper left Schermack slot outside of the boundary of the stamp (which would be expected considering how these were applied)EXTREMELY FINE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 40 RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS MAJOR 20TH CENTURY RARITY. FROM A NEW DISCOVERY AND OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Scott 482A, like its more famous predecessor, Scott 314A, was issued imperforate by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and sold to the Schermack Company for use in its patented stamp-affixing machines. The Schermack "Sealer and Stamper" machine typically applied stamps one at a time, and, in most cases, the hyphen-hole perfs on one side would be cut off. Unlike Scott 314A, the release of imperforate sheets printed from the experimental Type Ia plates escaped the notice of contemporary collectors, and, therefore, this stamp has a very small survival rate.
Our updated census of Scott 482A published in the Zoellner catalogue and available at our website at: http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/482a/482a.htm records three covers, one unused single, a used pair and 34 used singles for a total of 40 stamps. Most examples are either cut well into the design or have the Schermack perfs trimmed away on one side.
Schermack Type III stamps are often cut into the design by the oblong perforations or miscut with one side of the perforated margin missing. This problem for collectors, which meant very little to contemporary users of the stamps, resulted from two consecutive events. First, the sheets were perforated with the Schermack holes, creating an opportunity for misalignment between the stamps. Second, when the strip of stamps was fed through the Schermack affixing machine, the cutting blade did not always align with the space between stamps.
Census No. 482A-CAN-40. The consignor purchased a packet of various stamps over a decade ago. It sat in the back of a desk drawer until he recently went through it and found this remarkable stamp. With 2007 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Joint line pair, lightly hinged, radiant color, exceptionally well-centered, tiny corner crease at top rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A WELL-CENTERED JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE II PERF 10 HORIZONTAL COIL ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
With 1965 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Pair, exceptionally well-centered, brilliant colorEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE II PERF 10 HORIZONTAL COIL ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
With 1975 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Lightly hinged, radiant color and crisp impression, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT ROTARY TYPE II COIL ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,300.00).
1c Green, Perf 10 at Top or Bottom (498g). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, neat strike of circular datestamp, perfs just in at bottomFINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT GREEN 1917 ISSUE PERFORATED 10 AT BOTTOM. ONLY FIVE USED COPIES ARE KNOWN -- THIS IS A NEWLY CERTIFIED EXAMPLE AND IS NOW INCLUDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our records of this rarity contain twelve unused (including two in a block of four, four in a block of 25 and and a plate block of six containing 1-1/2 stamps with the variety) and five used examples. The five used stamps are as follows: 1) bottom stamp in top selvage vertical pair, PFC 37681, condition unconfirmed; 2) well-centered, last offered in our Tahoe sale, Siegel Sale 951, realized $40,000 hammer; 3) Ohio boxed cancel, PFC 157251, centered to top and right; and 4) lightly cancelled, perfs just in at right, offered in Siegel Sale 872, realized $19,000 hammer, and 5) the example offered here.
With 2008 P.F. certificate
2c Deep Rose, Ty. I-Ia (499-500). Bottom plate no. 10208 block of six, center and right stamps at bottom Type I (No. 499), other four Type Ia (No. 500), h.r. at right and bottom, radiant color, choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PLATE BLOCK WITH TYPE I AND IA ENTRIES ON THE PLATE (SCOTT 499 AND 500). THIS IS THE ONLY PLATE BLOCK POSITION ON THE EXPERIMENTAL TYPE IA PLATE THAT YIELDS A COMBINATION.
The Type Ia Scott 500 was created during an experiment of the Bureau in creating a new type of transfer roll. A die was made from the old Type I transfer roll, having ten impressions on it. A new transfer roll was then made, using the new ten-impression master die. This new transfer roll was then used to create two plates, Nos. 10208 and 10209. Since this is essentially a "lossy" process, there are some noticeable differences between the plates created using this method and the old method of using one die impression to create the transfer roll.
With copy of 1969 and 1998 P.F. certificates
2c Rose, Ty. I, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (499f). 1997 P.F. certificate specifically states "Genuine, never hinged", however we see slightest trace of previous hinging, deep rich color, choice centering with wide margins at top and bottomEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PRISTINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT A.E.F. BOOKLET PANE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT NO MORE THAN 20 EXIST.
The A.E.F. booklet panes were issued in September 1917, primarily for use by the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. Only 3,000 panes were prepared of both the 1c and 2c denominations. By October they were no longer needed for the post card rate, as Congress passed a vote allowing first-class mail to be sent free of charge by active members of the Armed Forces. Many of the panes were destroyed.
Whether or not this is Mint N.H., we feel that this is the finest example of this issue that we have offered, and there is no other very well-centered pane that is Mint N.H. contained in our records. With 1997 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged
6c Red Orange, Perf 10 at Top (506a). Clear strike of duplex cancel, vibrant color, wide margins, transitional perfs at top with most perf 10 and two perfs at top left gauging 11, few creasesVERY FINE. ONLY FOURTEEN USED COPIES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, OF WHICH ONLY FIVE ARE SOUND.
Our updated census of Scott 506a contains twelve used copies certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, plus two recent discoveries. Nine have faults ranging from pulled perfs to creases. The example offered here, with transitional perfs, is particularly desirable.
With 1950 and 2008 P.F. certificate
8c Olive Bister, Perf 10 at Top (508c). Pretty shade, face-free cancel at left, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1917 ISSUE PERF AT AT TOP. ONLY FIFTEEN EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
The last example we offered was in October 2005. This stamp is massively undercatalogued in relation to its peers.
With 1972 A.P.S. and 2008 P.F. certificates
9c Salmon Red, Perf 10 at Top (509a). Brilliant color, neat "Parkersburg W. Va." precancel, transitional perfs with three gauging 11 at top left and others perf 10, small paper split at upper left which is not readily apparent when viewed from the frontFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 9-CENT FRANKLIN PERF 10 AT TOP.
At a certain point, partway through this stamp in the sheet, the defective perforating wheel changed from gauge 11 to gauge 10 along one row.
With 2008 P.F. certificate. As an indication of rarity, we have not offered an example of this variety since November of 2003, which probably accounts for its low catalogue value
11c Light Green, Perf 10 at Bottom (511a). Top plate no. 13469 block of six, bottom left stamp with transitional perforations at bottom, others normal perf 10, bottom center stamp lightly hinged, others incl. variety Mint N.H., radiant colorAN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 11-CENT PERF 10 VARIETY. ONLY FOUR SUCH PLATE BLOCKS ARE KNOWN. AN OUTSTANDING EXHIBITION PIECE.
One of the four recorded plate blocks containing Scott 511a was offered in the Zoellner sale, and came from plate no. 13470 (it has two Perf 10 stamps in the bottom row). Another recorded plate block is from plate no. 13467 and is very off-center with perfs touching at right. A third plate block from plate no. 13467 has three Perf 10 stamps in the bottom row, including a transitional 11-to-10 gauge.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine (519). Radiant color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, tied by "New York N.Y. Penn. Term. Sta. Oct. 12 9 AM 1917 Buy Now U.S. Government Bonds 2nd Liberty Loan" machine cancel on bookseller's corner card cover to Corvallis Oregon, orange crayon "Library" docketing at leftEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 519 ON A COVER -- REPORTED TO BE THE SECOND EARLIEST KNOWN USAGE.
This stamp was created in 1917 when a small excess supply of the imperforate Scott 344 was returned by the New York City post office to the Bureau for credit. Rather than issue the credit, the Bureau perforated the sheets and returned them to the New York City post office for public sale. The earliest recorded usage is on October 10, two days prior to this.
With 1961 P.F. certificate
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (544). Horizontal pair, brilliant color, unobtrusive duplex cancels, light diagonal creases at top corners, tiny perf flaws at top centerA FINE APPEARING PAIR OF SCOTT 544, WHICH IS RARE IN MULTIPLES.
The largest known multiple of this stamp is a vertical strip of four on cover. Other than that, there are only a few pairs known.
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (544). Selvage at bottom, tied by "Birdsboro Pa. Jul. 3 2 PM 1923" duplex cancel on unsealed Birdsboro Electric Co. corner card cover, immaculate conditionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1923 ONE-CENT ROTARY PERF 11 USED ON A COVER. ONLY NINE POSTCARDS AND FIVE COVERS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION ITEM.
A small quantity of 1c Rotary Press stamps was perforated 11 at the end of 1922, using remainder sheets from the earlier printings that were normally perforated in 10 gauge or 11/10 compound gauge. Its existence as a Perf 11 variety was discovered in 1936, and the stamp received its Scott Catalogue listing in 1938.
This is reported to be the only known example of Scott 544 with selvage.
1c Green, Rotary (545). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult rotary-press issue, long and full perfs all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1921 ONE-CENT PERF 11 ROTARY WASTE ISSUE, SCOTT 545.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,650.00). Only three have graded higher to date and only three others share this grade.