Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1917-20 Washington-Franklin Issues (Scott 486-541)
1c-5c 1916-18 Perf 10 Rotary Coils (454, 486/496). Outstanding Mint N.H. group, including single of watermarked No. 454 (gum crease), P.S.E. graded pairs from unwatermarked issue, including Nos. 486 (Superb 98), 487 (XF-Superb 95), 488 (joint line pair, XF 90), 489 (XF-Superb 95), 490 (Superb 98), 492 (XF 90), 493 (XF 90), 494 (XF 90) and 496 (XF-Superb 95), Extremely Fine Gems, total SMQ not counting No. 454 $1,200.00
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (487). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering, bright color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $230.00 as 98), this is the only Scott 487 in any condition to achieve this grade with none higher
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Joint line pair, faintly hinged, well-centered and wonderfully fresh with the same color characteristics as its Coil Waste counterpart No. 539FINE-VERY FINE JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE II PERF 10 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 491.
With 1996 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown, Coil (495). Mint N.H. joint line pair, lovely bright color, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $675.00)
5c Blue, Coil (496). Mint N.H., bright shade and crisp impression, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $135.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded (three others share it)
10c Orange Yellow, Coil (497). Mint N.H. joint line pair, vibrant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $625.00), only two have graded higher and six share this grade
1c-$1.00 1917-19 Issue (498/518). 11 P.S.E. graded stamps, six Mint N.H., including Nos. 499 (XF-Superb 95), 504 (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), 506 (XF-Superb 95), 508 (XF 90 Jumbo), 509 (XF-Superb 95), 511 (XF-Superb 95), five previously hinged, including Nos. 502 (XF-Superb 95), 507 (XF-Superb 95), 510 (Superb 98 Jumbo), 515 (plate no. at top, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), 518 (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), a fresh and outstanding group, Extremely Fine Gems, total SMQ without regard to Jumbo appellations $1,315.00
1c Green (498). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and perfect centering, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $200.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade), only three have graded higher
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Lightly hinged, brilliant color and intense Ty. Ia impression, choice centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF 90; SMQ $290.00)
3c Light Violet, Ty. I (501). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and wonderfully well-centered, bright shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $150.00 as 95, $500.00 as 98), only five have graded higher (all at 98)
4c Brown (503). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, gorgeous color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $175.00 as 95, $400.00 as 98
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H., brilliant color, mathematically perfect centering on bright paper, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 11 5-CENT ERROR OF COLOR, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
During the production of the normal 2c plate No. 7942, three positions were noted to be defective. The plate was sent back to the siderographer, who burnished out the three positions and mistakenly re-entered them using a transfer roll for the 5c stamp. The error passed unnoticed and the sheets were issued to the public both Perf 10, Imperforate and Perf 11 (Scott 467, 485 and 505).
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unlisted in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $4,500.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is the only example to achieve it.
8c Olive Bister (508). Mint N.H., pretty shade, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $600.00), only four have graded higher
9c Salmon Red (509). Mint N.H., vibrant color and paper, mathematically perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $650.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it
12c Brown Carmine (512a). Mint N.H., absolutely perfect centering with huge Jumbo margins, vivid color on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp which epitomizes perfection, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $400.00 as 98), this is the only stamp in any condition to achieve this ultimate grade for either the Claret Brown or Brown Carmine shades
13c Apple Green (513). Mint N.H., striking fresh color on bright paper, Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $475.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade), only one has graded higher (at 100) and nine others share this grade
15c Gray (514). Mint N.H., deep rich color, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,050.00), only two have graded higher (both at 98J)
30c Orange Red (516). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with incredible Jumbo margins, fiery color, post-office fresh paper and gum, Extremely Fine Gem, a magnificent stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,000.00 as 98), no other examples of Scott 516 in any condition (Mint N.H., hinged or used) have equaled this ultimate grade
50c Red Violet (517). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with choice margins, lovely pastel color and clear impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,250.00 as 98), one of only four to have been awarded this prestigious grade (plus one 100J)
2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., bright color and crisp impression, attractive centering, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,850.00)
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., beautiful centering with wide margins all around, bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE.
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,300.00)
$5.00 Deep Green & Black (524). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, deep rich frame color, post-office fresh paper and gumEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1918 $5.00 FRANKLIN ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,600.00 as 98). Only one other stamp has equaled this sought after grade. To achieve it on a dollar value stamp makes it even more desirable
2c Carmine, Ty. Va (528). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, Jumbo balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $200.00 as 95, $600.00 as 98)
2c Carmine, Ty. VI (528A). Mint N.H., vivid color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00 as 90, $825.00 as 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. V, Imperforate (533). Mint N.H., large margins, deep color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; $275.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. VI, Imperforate (534A). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins all around, vibrant color, Extremely Fine Gem
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, huge margins all around, pencil notation on gum notes this came from sheet with plate no. 12280EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00 as Mint N.H.). Scott Retail as Mint N.H.
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (538). Mint N.H., stunning Jumbo margins and perfect centering, rich color on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1919 ONE-CENT PERF 11x10 COIL WASTE ISSUE, SCOTT 538, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
While Scott 538 is a common stamp, superbly centered copies or stamps with Jumbo margins are rare and the combination of both in one stamp is extremely rare. It was put through two different perforating machines -- perforated 10 vertically on the rotary perforator during the coil part of production and then perforated 11 on the flat plate perforator. As a result, most of the stamps are off-center. The rotary press sheets also had a natural tendency to curl, making perforating on the flat plate perforator especially difficult.
With 2008 and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $740.00 as 98). This is the only stamp to achieve this perfect grade in any condition category (Mint N.H., hinged or used)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. III, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (540). Mint N.H., vivid color, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $250.00), only five have graded higher (all at 98)
3c Violet, Ty. II, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (541). Mint N.H., rich color, beautiful centering, light pencil notation on gum not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $750.00 as Mint N.H.), Scott Retail as Mint N.H.