Sale 1145 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 14 December, 2016
Category — Special Delivery, Postage Due, Offices in China, Officials
10c Blue, Special Delivery, Imperforate (E5c; formerly E5a). Vertical pair, original gum, large margins, deep rich color, natural gum creaseVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM PAIR OF THE IMPERFORATE 10-CENT 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
Using the logic behind including No. E3 as a part of the Columbian issues, one can argue Nos. E4 and E5 are part of the 1894 and 1895 Bureau issues. Perhaps this is why Nos. E4 and E5 are the only Special Delivery issues found imperforate. However, unlike its regular-issue counterparts, which exist in abundant quantities, Nos. E4a and E5c are very rare. We have offered only eight unduplicated pairs, one single and one block of four since keeping computerized records. Virtually all have faults, ranging from gum creases to more serious flaws.
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J12). Unused (regummed), rich color with cameo typical of Special Printings, Fine, it has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public, Scott Retail as original gum
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Unused (no gum), rich color and crisp impression, Fine and scarce, it has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public, with 1943 A.P.S. certificate, Scott Retail as original gum
50c Red Brown (J21). Original gum, h.r. including small paper hinge, bright color, well-centered, partly unpunched perf at top right, Very Fine
1c Vermilion (J29). Original gum, h.r., vivid color on fresh paper, Very Fine, typical centering for this very scarce Postage Due, with 2016 P.F. certificate
30c Carmine Lake (J57). Mint N.H., small natural gum skip, wide margins, intense shade and impression, bright fresh paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate
1959 Postage Due, Denomination-Omitted Errors (J89a/J96a). Small Mint N.H. group including single of No. J89a, strip of three with two normal of No. J91a, pairs with one normal of Nos. J94a and J96a, Very Fine group
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$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Barest trace of hinging, rich colors, clear second surcharge, two unpunched perfs at leftFRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE ERROR.
The Offices in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing.
6c Executive (O13). Brilliant color, unusually light cancel, well-centered, Very Fine, with 2001 and 2009 P.F. certificates
$2.00 State (O68). Original gum, minor h.r., wide margins to clear at right, intense colors, fresh and Very Fine, with 2013 P.F. certificate
$10.00 State (O70). Unused (regummed), strong detailed impression on fresh paper, Very Fine, a handsome example, with 1979 P.F. (as original gum) and 2016 P.F. certificates
30c Treasury, Soft Paper (O112). Original gum, h.r., deep rich color, crisp impression, Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate