Sale 1093 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. 20th Century and Air Post
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 23-24 February, 2015
Category — 1922-25 Issue (Scott 551-573)
6c-$1.00 1922-25 Issue, Superb Graded Balance (561/571). 11 stamps, all but one Mint N.H., each an Extremely Fine Gem and most P.S.E. graded, incl. Nos. 558 (P.F. certificate), 559 (98), 561 (95J), another 561 (95), 562 (95 P.S.A.G.), 565 (95), 566 (95), 567 (95J), 568 (95), 570 (90J), 571 (OGph 98), a Superb group, SMQ value for all but No. 558, without regard to the Jumbo appellations $1,870.00
2c Carmine (554). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, wonderful depth of color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ $225.00 as 98), only six others share this top grade
2c Carmine (554). Right plate no. 17196 and six-point star block of six, lightly hinged, rich color, top stamps faint natural gum wrinkle, Fine, scarce plate block with six-point star, pencil notation on back of selvage outside of gum
2c Carmine, Perf 10 at Bottom (554d). Tied by "Colorado Springs Colo. Feb. 6, 1924" machine cancel on Midland Terminal Railway Co. corner card cover to New York, deep rich color on bright paper, missing small part of top flap, minor edgewearVERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1922 2-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM ON COVER.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 554d, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/554d/554d.pdf , records 20 used singles, four contained in a block and five covers, for a total of 29.
Census No. 554d-COV-22. Ex Griffith and Lake Shore. With 1988 P.F. certificate.
3c Violet (555). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 17924 block of six, rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, a beautiful plate block
8c Olive Green (560). Mint N.H., almost perfect centering, fresh color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $350.00)
8c Olive Green (560). Wide top plate no. 14572 block of six, lightly hinged, choice centering and margins, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H., Scott Retail as hinged
10c Orange (562). Mint N.H. top plate no. 16389 block of six, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine
15c Gray (566). Mint N.H. top plate no. 17425 block of six with wide selvage, bright shade, choice centering, fresh, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
20c Carmine Rose (567). Mint N.H. top plate no. 20037 block of six, deep shade, exceptionally well-centered, usual natural gum bends, Extremely Fine
25c Yellow Green (568). Mint N.H. top plate no. 14062 block of six, bottom row particularly well-centered, rich color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, ex Gray
30c Olive Brown (569). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2000 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $275.00 as 95, $850.00 as 98)
50c Lilac (570). Mint N.H. top plate no. 17482 block of six, nice margins and centering, particularly in bottom row, few typical natural gum skips and bends, Very Fine and choice
$1.00 Violet Black (571). Mint N.H. top plate number F18681 block of six, exceptionally well-centered, strong color, typical natural gum bends, Extremely Fine
$1.00 Violet Black (571). Mint N.H. double plate no. 18642 and top arrow block of 12, gorgeous color, top row particularly choice centering, natural horizontal gum skip thru top row, tiny perf hole tear in ungummed portion of selvage along center line, otherwise Very Fine-Extremely Fine
$2.00 Deep Blue (572). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, rich color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $325.00 as 95, $700.00 as 98)
$2.00 Deep Blue (572). Mint N.H. top plate no. F14306 block of six, wide margins, exceptionally well-centered, couple small natural gum skips, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb plate block
$2.00 Deep Blue (572). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 14306 block of six, radiant color, choice centering, natural gum creases, still Very Fine and choice
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H., intense colors and impressions (almost looks like the Carmine Lake sub-shade), beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00 as 95, $1,150.00 as 98)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H. arrow, marker and double plate nos. F14326/F14327 block of eight, wide margins and extraordinarily well-centered throughout, light natural gum crease top right corner of pos. 4 and into selvageEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE $5.00 1922 ISSUE.
A Power Search review revealed few plate blocks as well-centered as the example offered here