Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1912-16 Washington-Franklin Issues (Scott 405-440)
1c Green (405). Mint N.H., post-office fresh color and proof-like impression, Jumbo perfectly balanced margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2006 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $540.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and has been equaled by only six others
2c Carmine (406). Mint N.H. with left plate no. 6524 selvage, vibrant color on post-office fresh paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $150.00 as 95, $525.00 as 98)
7c Black (407). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 7-CENT BLACK, SCOTT 407, HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,600.00). Only two others share this grade, which is the highest awarded to any unused Scott 407
2c Carmine, Coil (411). Mint N.H. guide line pair, brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $200.00)
1c Green, Coil (412). Mint N.H., rich color, choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $150.00 as 95, $410.00 as 98)
2c Carmine, Coil (413). Mint N.H. pair, well-centered, bright and fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 1989 P.F. certificate for strip of four, this the left pair
2c Carmine, Coil (413). Mint N.H., luminous color on bright paper, choice balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Scarsdale, with 1997 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $350.00)
9c Salmon Red (415). Vibrant color, huge perfectly balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade), this is the only hinged stamp to achieve this grade with none higher, the highest graded Mint N.H. stamp is also a single example at 98J
10c Orange Yellow (416). Barest trace of hinging, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, radiant color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (OG, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above grade of 98, SMQ $250.00 as 98), no other examples in any condition have been graded higher while only two other previously hinged examples share this grade
12c Claret Brown (417). Mint N.H., intense shade and crisp impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1986 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
15c Gray (418). Mint N.H. with part imprint top selvage, Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, bright shade on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1912 15-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE HAS ACHIEVED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING STAMP.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,000.00 as 98). This is one of only two stamps to achieve this illustrious grade. The other, ex Whitman, does not have imprint or plate number selvage. There are no other Scott 418's graded above 98J in any condition (Mint N.H., hinged or used).
20c Ultramarine (419). Choice centering, lovely rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $525.00)
30c Orange Red (420). Lightly hinged, fiery color on fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $700.00), only one example has been graded higher (at 100) and seven others share this grade
50c Violet (421). Lightly hinged, radiant color on post-office fresh paper, wide margins and mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 421 HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,400.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this exalted grade, which is the highest awarded in any condition category
50c Violet (422). Mint N.H., outstanding centering with wide margins, deep rich color on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1912 50-CENT FRANKLIN ON DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARKED PAPER.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,950.00). Only one example has been graded higher (at 98) and seven others share this grade
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Barest trace of hinging, deep rich color and detailed impression, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,050.00 as 95, $2,200.00 as 98)
1c-5c Perf 10, Watermarked (424-428). 1c and 2c Mint N.H., others hinged, choice centering and wide margins throughout, Extremely Fine Gem group, all but the 1c with P.S.E. certificate, 2c (XF-Superb 95), 3c (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), 4c (XF-Superb 95), 5c (XF-Superb 95), total SMQ for 2c-5c without regard to the Jumbo appellation $370.00
6c Red Orange (429). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Killien, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00 as 95, $2,400.00 as 98)
7c Black (430). Mint N.H., bright shade on crisp paper, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2003 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $450.00)
7c Black (430). Crisp impression, beautiful centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $560.00)
8c Pale Olive Green (431). Mint N.H., fresh radiant color, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $700.00 as 95, $1,800.00 as 98)
9c Salmon Red (432). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and choice centering, vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $250.00 as 90, $750.00 as 95)
10c Orange Yellow (433). Mint N.H., absolutely perfect centering with huge Jumbo margins, vivid color as fresh as the day it was printed, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT -- COMBINING PERFECT MARGINS, CENTERING, COLOR AND GUM. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO FROM P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,450.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this highest possible grade in any condition category
11c Dark Green (434). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright white paper, beautifully balanced wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,150.00), only three examples have graded higher and only five others share this grade
12c Claret Brown (435). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $150.00)
15c Gray (437). Mint N.H., rich color on post-office fresh paper, essentially perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 15-CENT GRAY SCOTT 437, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,400.00). Only one example has been graded higher (the ex-Whitman 98J) and only three others share this desirable grade
20c Ultramarine (438). Fabulous margins and centering, pretty pastel color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $500.00), probably would be OGh if graded today
30c Orange Red (439). Outstanding centering with wide margins, blazing color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $650.00), probably would be OGh if graded today
50c Violet (440). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1981 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)