Sale 1277 — The Adventurer Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 March, 2023
Category — 1922-29 and Later Issues (Scott 551-1891)
-1/2c-$5.00 1922-25 Issue (551-573). Complete set mounted on an album page, spot check found Mint N.H. except for 50c, choice centering throughout with each stamp individually chosen for balanced margins, bright colors with the 6c showing just a bit of oxidation, Extremely Fine and high-quality set, a number will grade highly, $2.00 and $5.00 with 1976 A.P.S. certificates
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5c Dark Blue, Imperforate Pair (557a). Original gum, large to full margins all around, intense color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, only one or two panes of 100 are believed to exist, with 1992 and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
10c Orange, Imperforate Pair (562b). Horizontal pair, unused (no gum) as are all known examples, exceptionally well-balanced margins, vibrant color, Extremely Fine, a particularly choice and desirable pair of this scarce variety, according to United States Stamps 1922-26 by Gary Griffith, dealer Philip Ward purchased a pane in 1925 in Oklahoma which had large areas marked for destruction with a blue crayon, examples such as the pair offered here not defaced by the blue crayon are rare, with 2011 and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ; the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality")
20c Carmine Rose, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (567a). With full guideline at right, original gum, single hinge mark, intense shade and outstanding centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A VERY RARE CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 20-CENT 1922 ISSUE IMPERFORATE VERTICALLY.
According to Gary Griffith, a complete pane of 100 was found in Pasadena Cal. in 1929, which was divided between two collectors. This would make 50 pairs total. At least one of the panes was broken into pairs and blocks. A review using Power Search demonstrates the rarity of this pair with such choice centering. Every other example we have offered since 1993 and in our Rarities sales since 1964 has only Fine or Very Fine centering.
Ex Whitman and "Sirron". With 2000 and 2019 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (599A). Mint N.H. joint line pair, deep rich color, Very Fine, with 1975 A.P.S. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II (634A). Mint N.H., vivid color, fresh and Very Fine, with 1976 A.P.S. certificate
2c Carmine Rose, Von Steuben, Imperforate (689a). Positions 63-64, horizontal pair, original gum, large to full margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90), three panes of 100 were originally discovered, the first was returned and destroyed, some stamps from the second pane were used on covers and the remainder was returned, the third pane was discovered in Washington state and was purchased intact at the post office, all known examples come from this third pane
3c Dark Violet, Nicolet's Landing, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (734a). Original gum, bright color, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine, with 2004 and 2013 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
3c Deep Violet, Nicolet's Landing, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (734b). Left sheet margin, original gum, stamps barely hinged if at all (hinged in sheet margin), rich color, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 (for block) and 2012 P.F. certificates
3c Deep Violet, Mt. Ranier, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (742a). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, bright color and well-centered, fresh, Very Fine and choice, only one pane of 50 was discovered, with 2001 P.S.E., 2001 and 2014 P.F. certificates
4c Brown, Mesa Verde, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (743a). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, without the brown Post Office paper on reverse, well-centered with wide margins, deep rich color, typical natural gum creaseEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT MESA VERDE IMPERFORATE BETWEEN ERROR. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES KNOWN.
Only 15 pairs have been recorded, and 6-9 have the Post Office paper adherence. Ex Liberman. With 1978 and 2016 P.F. certificates
5c Blue, Yellowstone, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (744a). Mint N.H. strip of three with sheet margin at left, exceptionally well-centered with wide and balanced margins, fresh color on pristine paper, light natural gum bendsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAY WELL BE THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT YELLOWSTONE IMPERFORATE BETWEEN ERROR.
Datz states 50 pairs are known. We have offered many other examples (all but one were hinged), with varying degrees of centering from barely Fine to on the cusp of Extremely Fine, but none have compared to the margins and centering on this gem -- in any gum condition.
Ex Floyd and Myerson. With 1986 P.F. certificate. Scott value as a pair without premium for the third stamp
8c Emily Dickinson, Intaglio Black and Olive Omitted (1436a). Mint N.H. with top selvage, fresh and Very Fine, an elusive error, we have not offered another example since 2003, with 1976 A.P.S. certificate
18c Seacoast, Coil (1891). Two Mint N.H. plate no. 3 strips of five, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, one of the key plate number coils