Sale 1179 — United States and Possessions
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 March, 2018
Category — 1918-20 Issues (Scott 525-547)
2c Carmine, Ty. Va (528). With wide top plate no. 11591 selvage, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, light cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00), only one has graded higher
2c Carmine, Ty. VI (528A). Mint N.H. right plate no. 11606 block of six, interesting plate scratches in margin, intense color, post-office fresh, couple tiny natural gum skips, Very Fine, ex "Silver Lake"
1918-20 Offset Issue, Imperforate (532, 534, 534A). Three plate blocks, No. 532 Mint N.H. left plate no. 10918 block of six, No. 534 Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 11431 block of 10 with ghost plate numbers under each of the other four bottom stamps, No. 534A top plate no. 11710 block of six, hinged in ungummed part of selvage, light pencil type notation on gum, Extremely Fine trio, also includes No. 631 Mint N.H. top left corner margin block of 10 without gum breakers (Scott Retail $500.00)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. IV, Imperforate (532). Mint N.H. with plate no. 10918 wide left selvage, large margins other sides, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $225.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. V, Imperforate (533). Mint N.H. horizontal pair, vivid color, choice large margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $550.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. V, Imperforate (533). Mint N.H. top plate no. 11260 block of six, usual light natural gum bends, Extremely Fine, this is surprisingly difficult to obtain in Mint N.H. condition from the top plate position, we have only offered one other since 2009, Scott 533 was printed from only four plates -- the fewest of any of the imperforate offset issues, with 2006 A.P.S. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. VI, Imperforate (534A). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 11641 block of six, large margins, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, ex Hall
2c Carmine, Ty. VI, Imperforate (534A). Huge even margins all around including parts of six adjoining stamps, neat strike of 1920 Benton Harbor Mich. circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $425.00), this is the highest grade recorded and the only stamp that has achieved this exalted grade
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Mint N.H., huge balanced margins, perfect color and impression on crisp white paperEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Most Type VII stamps were used by private vending and affixing-machine companies. However, unlike Scott 314A and 482A, a small supply of the imperforate 2c Type VII stamps did reach the public.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,750.00). Only one has graded higher (at 100) and only two others share this desirable grade. This is the only example graded higher than 95 we have offered in our auctions.
1c Gray Green (536). Mint N.H., bright shade, outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. Encapsulated (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,600.00), only two have graded higher (one at 100, one at 100J) and only four others share this grade
1c Gray Green (536). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, bright color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00)
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (538). Mint N.H., gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins for this difficult issue, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 538, WHICH IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER AND NO OTHERS SHARE THIS GRADE.
This issue 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 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,800.00). Only one has graded higher (realized $3,000 hammer in our 2016 Hanover sale) and no others share this grade.
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (539). Mint N.H., brilliant color, three wide margins, perfs clear to just touched at top, Fine, scarce in Mint N.H. condition, with 1992 and 2006 P.F. certificates (F 70), with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VG 50)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. III, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (540). Mint N.H. with top plate no. S 30 selvage, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $875.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only five others share it, this is the first in this grade we have offered since 2009
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. III, Rotary Perf 11 x 10, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (540a). Mint N.H. with bottom sheet margin, intense shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 and 2007 P.F. certificates, the former as a block of eight
3c Violet, Ty. II (541). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1919 3-CENT TYPE II, SCOTT 541, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,400.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J) and four others share this grade.
1c Green, Perf 10 x 11 (542). Mint N.H. with bottom selvage, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $850.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only six others
1c Green, Perf 10 (543). Mint N.H., bright color and crisp impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $225.00), only three have graded higher (one at 98J, two at 100)
1c Green, Perf 10 (543). Mint N.H., bright color and crisp impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $225.00), only three have graded higher (one at 98J, two at 100)
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (544). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, long and full perforations all aroundFRESH AND FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1923 ONE-CENT ROTARY PERF 11, SCOTT 544. PROBABLY FEWER THAN TEN EXIST IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
A small quantity of 1c Rotary Press stamps was perforated 11 at the end of 1922, using remainder sheets from the earlier experimental printings that were normally perforated in 10 gauge or 10/11 compound gauge. Its existence as a Perf 11 variety was discovered in 1936, and the stamp received its Scott Catalogue listing in 1938.
Most of the recorded copies of Scott 544 are off-center or have been damaged -- the result of poor production standards and mis-handling.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (F 70; SMQ $42,500.00). Only one has graded higher (at 75, realized $52,500 hammer in our 2009 "Laila" sale)
1c Green, Rotary (545). Mint N.H., radiant color, gorgeous centering for this difficult rotary-press issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1921 ONE-CENT PERF 11 ROTARY WASTE ISSUE, SCOTT 545.
P.S.E. Encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,150.00). Only five have graded higher (three at 95J, one each at 98 and 98J) and only five others share this desirable grade
1c Green, Rotary (545). Choice centering with unusually wide margins, neat cancel leaves the design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1989, 1990 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. III, Rotary (546). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering for this difficult issue, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,650.00), only three have graded higher (one at 95J and two at 98) and only seven others share this grade
$2.00 Carmine & Black (547). Mint N.H., outstanding centering with wide margins, rich colors, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Senchuk and "Golden Oak", with 1984 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $800.00)