Sale 962 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 24-26 September, 2008
Category — 1912-23 Issues (Scott 405-524)
1c Green (405). Mint N.H. horizontal pair with top selvage above right stamp, huge Jumbo margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem pair
2c Carmine (406). Beautiful wide margins and wonderful depth of color, neat nearly face-free corner circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $280.00)
8c Pale Olive Green (414). Right imprint, plate no. 5804 and "A" block of six, bottom four stamps Mint N.H., pretty shade, fresh and Fine-Very Fine
8c Pale Olive Green (414). Bottom imprint, "A" and plate no. 5719 block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., Fine, Scott Retail as two hinged and four Mint N.H. stamps
10c Orange Yellow (416). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
30c Orange Red (420). Block of four, top right and bottom left Mint N.H., wonderfully fresh and bright, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, left pair rather nice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
50c Violet (421). Lightly hinged, radiant color on post-office fresh paper, mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 421 HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,500.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this exalted grade, which is the highest awarded in any condition category
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Exceptional margins and centering, strong color, faintly hinged, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $660.00)
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins all around, bold strike of oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $610.00 as 95, $1,800.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other has achieved this grade
3c Deep Violet, "Pink Back" (426 var). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $490.00 as normal)
4c Brown (427). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 7269 block of six, deep rich color, one perf hole tiny adherence, Fine-Very Fine
5c Blue (428). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 7237 block of six, intense shade and impression, Fine
10c Orange Yellow (433). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 7205 block of six, vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, Fine
30c Orange Red (439). Beautiful margins and wonderfully well-centered, marvelous deep rich color, lightly hinged, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $780.00)
50c Violet (440). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp
50c Violet (440). Magnificently centered with lovely balanced margins all around, rich color and clear impression on fresh white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING 50-CENT VIOLET PERF 10 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED STAMP OF THE 1913-15 ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,000.00). Only one other hinged No. 440 shares this lofty grade, with none higher
2c Carmine, Coil (444). Guide line pair, right stamp Mint N.H., left stamp barely hinged, intense shade and impression on bright paper, Very Fine, with 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates, the former calling both Mint N.H.
2c Carmine, Coil (444). Guide line pair, attractively centered and with unusually strong color, small corner crease at top left, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate
3c Violet, Coil (445). Mint N.H. guide line pair, Fine and attractive, with 2003 P.F. certificate
4c Brown, Coil (446). Guide line pair, bright shade, neat strikes of "Saginaw Mich." oval registry cancels, fresh and Fine, surprisingly scarce, we have only offered five others in our computerized records all of which were centered similarly to the pair offered here, with 1999 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (447). Mint N.H. guide line pair, choice margins and exceptional centering, deep rich color, crisp impression, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,100.00)
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Described on both older certificates as Mint N.H. and on most recent certificate as hinged at center -- we see natural gum skips but no hinge traces -- exceptional centering with wide margins all around, brilliant color and detailed impression.EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1915 TYPE I VERTICAL COIL. AN OUTSTANDING RARITY.
Type I rotary press stamps were produced using the same master dies as had been used for flat plate printings. However, due to the curve of the plate to fit the rotary press, the impressions lacked some of the details of the flat plate printings. New dies were made with strengthened lines, resulting in the Type II stamps. After plate wear was noticed, further strengthening was necessary, resulting in the Type III stamps. Scott 449 was not produced until almost a year and a half after the Type I horizontal coil, Scott 453. Due to the unpopularity of vertical coils, this Type I stamp was in production for only a short period of time before being discontinued.
With 1995, 2002 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,500.00)
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Unusually well-centered, light diagonal crease at upper left, Very Fine appearance
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Wavy-line machine cancel, exceptionally well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. III, Coil (450). Exceptionally wide margins and stunning color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $280.00), only two other used examples share this grade with none higher
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. I, Coil (453). Joint line pair, lightly hinged, rich color, FIne-Very Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
2c Red, Ty. II, Coil (454). Mint N.H. pair, radiant color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
2c Red, Ty. II, Coil (454). Mint N.H. pair, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 454, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,350.00 as 98). Only one other shares this grade, which is the highest awarded to date (the highest grade for a line pair is a 90)
3c Violet, Coil (456). Mint N.H. pair, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide margins on all sidesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE 3-CENT COIL, SCOTT 456, HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 1986 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $8,200.00). Only one other has been awarded this grade.
3c Violet, Coil (456). Mint N.H. pair, brilliant color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine, with 1978 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $830.00)
3c Violet, Coil (456). Pair, bright shade, left stamp slight natural gum bend, Very Fine
3c Violet, Coil (456). Joint line pair, unusually well-centered, double oval cancels, few perf thins at left, otherwise Very Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Magnificent margins and centering, clear impression and intense shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00)
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Faintly hinged, appears Mint N.H. at a glance, intense color, Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
2c Pale Carmine Red, Ty. I (461). Wide top plate no. 7259 block of six, faintly hinged in selvage, stamps Mint N.H., Fine and scarce, Scott Retail as six Mint N.H. singles
2c Carmine, Ty. I (463). Mint N.H., brilliant color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $740.00 as 98), only one has graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade
5c Carmine, Error (467). Barest trace of hinging (described on earlier certificate as Mint N.H.), radiant color on bright paper, Very Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate for single error in block of six and 2008 P.F. certificate as single
5c Carmine, Error (467). Mint N.H. double error in block of twelve with natural s.e. at bottom, brilliant color, right 2c stamps natural pre-printing paperfold, Fine
5c Carmine, Error (467). Double error in block of twelve, errors faintly hinged if at all, about Fine
6c Red Orange (468). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only three others have achieved this grade. The highest grade we have previously offered is XF-Superb 95.
6c Red Orange (468). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1916 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only three others have been awarded this grade.
10c Orange Yellow (472). Mint N.H., brilliant color, gorgeous centering with well-proportioned margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1916 ISSUE, SCOTT 472.
With 1997 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,400.00). Only three have graded higher to date.
11c Dark Green (473). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 7505 block of six, lovely color on fresh paper, Very Fine and choice
12c Claret Brown (474). Mint N.H., superb centering, intense shade and impression on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00)
12c Claret Brown (474). Mint N.H. right plate no. block of six, intense color, post-office fresh and Very Fine, ex Silver Lake, with 1990 P.S.E. and 2004 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Light Green (480). Mint N.H., wonderfully well-centered, fresh and bright, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $850.00)
$5.00 Light Green (480). Mint N.H., bright color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $140.00)
3c Violet, Ty. I, Coil (489). Incredibly wide margins with mathematical centering, attractive pastel color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $26.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grades), this is the only hinged No. 489 to have been awarded this ultra-high grade with none higher
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Pair, unusually choice centering, beautiful colorEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 491. DIFFICULT TO FIND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
With 1973 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Pair, single hinge mark, rich color, detailed impressionVERY FINE PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE II PERF 10 HORIZONTAL COIL ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Radiant color, neatly cancelled, fresh and Very Fine, with 1995 P.S.E. certificate
3c Violet, Ty. I, Coil (493). Mint N.H. pair, fabulous margins and centering, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine Gem, incredible quality for this coil issue, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $580.00)
3c Violet, Ty. I, Coil (493). Mint N.H. pair, nearly perfectly balanced margins, fresh and crisp, lovely pastel color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $285.00)
4c Orange Brown, Coil (495). Mint N.H. pair, radiant color, crisp impression, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal pair, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $475.00), only one has graded higher to date
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (498f). Unusually well-centered, fresh, lightly hinged, Very Fine, possibly as well-centered as can be found, outstanding A.E.F. booklet pane, with 1988 P.F. certificate
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (498f). Exceptionally well-centered, Very Fine, difficult to find in this quality
2c Rose, Ty. I (499). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 14002 block six, beautifully centered, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
2c Rose, Double Impression, "Squeezed" Double Impression (499g, 499g var.). Horizontal strip of ten with natural s.e.'s at bottom and left showing most of arrow at right, extremely mixed centering, some hinge reinforcements, first three stamps at left are double impressions, the fourth is the rare 15mm wide double impression with an appearance of having been "squeezed" together (strikingly narrow stamp), first double impression with thins, others sound, a very rare and fabulous error, Scott Retail for regular double impressions is $200.00 each, the 15mm wide one listed but unpriced, ex Sheriff, it was later sold at auction as part of the Weiss collection in 1997, further research indicates that this strip or one of the other nine from the lone pane of 100 discovered was sold for $120.00 in George Sloane's sale of the Max Johl collection in 1939
2c Lake, Ty. I (499h). Mint N.H. block of four, centered to bottom right, perfs clear to barely touch, Fine for this rare shade variety multiple, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
4c Brown (503). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 8880, incredibly beautiful balanced Jumbo margins, lovely bright color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $870.00 as 98, unpriced in 100 grade), only four others share this lofty grade with just two higher
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H., incredibly well-centered, crisp and brightEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL 5-CENT ROSE PERF 11 ERRORS WE HAVE EVER OFFERED.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; $4,300.00)
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. single error in block of nine with natural s.e. at top, brilliant color, one 2c at right small flaw at top left probably from perf disc, otherwise Fine
5c Rose, Error (505). Block of twelve, two middle stamps the errors, top error stamp Mint N.H., Fine, Scott Retail as hinged double error block of twelve
5c Rose, Error (505). Single error in block of four, bottom right stamp the error, tied by oval registry cancels on small piece, horizontal crease affects bottom stamps, appears Fine, scarce genuinely used and desirable in a multiple with 2c stamps, with 1994 P.F. certificate as sound
6c Red Orange (506). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $295.00)
6c Red Orange (506). Mint N.H., fabulous wide balanced margins, brilliant color on crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, wonderful example of the 6c 1917-19 Issue
7c Black (507). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, beautiful centering with full perfs all around, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $670.00)
8c Olive Bister (508). Mint N.H., pretty shade, beautiful centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $330.00 as 95, $980.00 as 98)
12c Claret Brown, Perf 10 at Top (512b). Deep rich color, neat "Reading PA" precancel, typical centering for this difficult issueFINE AND RARE. FEWER THAN TEN EXAMPLES OF THE 12-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM ARE KNOWN TO US. ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE PERF 10 ON ONE SIDE VARIETIES.
As an indication of rarity, the last example we offered was in our sale of the Twigg-Smith collection in April 2001. Fewer than half of the examples in our census are sound.
With 2008 P.F. certificate (VG-F 60)
15c Gray (514). Mint N.H., extra wide margins and beautifully centered, crisp shade on bright fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $830.00)
20c Light Ultramarine (515). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 6938 block of six, Fine-Very Fine
$1.00 Deep Brown (518b). Very light cancel, faint corner crease, top perfs touch, scarce shade variety, with 2008 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, with copy of 2003 P.F. certificate for plate block
2c Carmine (519). Block of four, bottom pair Mint N.H., top pair slight thin, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
2c Carmine (519). Remarkably well-centered, deep color, partial War Bonds slogan cancel (piece from which this stamp was removed accompanies showing balance of cancel)VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 2-CENT PERF 11 WITH DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH WONDERFUL USED CONDITION.
A Power Search review of records on our website found precious few used examples and only one that compared favorably to the stamp offered here.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., brilliant impressions as fresh as the day they were printed, perfectly centered with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.
The $2.00 and $5.00 1918 Issue are the first bi-colored dollar-denominated postage stamps issued by the United States. Both were released just three months after the famous 1918 24c Inverted Jenny, but the early printings were issued in small quantities, since stocks of the 1902 $2.00 and $5.00 1917 issue were still on hand.
According to Johl, the $2.00 Orange Red & Black was a color error on the part of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. The official description and order for the bi-color stamps specified "Red and Black" for the $2.00. When subsequent printings appeared in 1920 and philatelists brought the matter to the attention of the Bureau, they were told "this stamp has always been this color" (Johl, p. 306). From studies of Bureau and Post Office records, it is clear that the originally-intended color was not issued until November 1920 (Scott 547), and that the earlier Orange Red stamps were mistakes. The quantity issued has been variously estimated at between 47,000 and 68,000.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $10,000.00). Only two others have achieved this grade, and only one has graded higher. Another indication of this stamp's rarity in high grades is that none has been added to the P.S.E. Population Report in Mint N.H. 98 and higher grades since our Scarsdale sale in March 2007.
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., beautiful centering with Jumbo margins all around, bright colors as fresh as the day it was printed, detailed impressionsEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE. A STUNNING STAMP.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $2,350.00 as 90, $4,850.00 as 95).
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Single hinge mark, brilliant colors, wide margins, Very Fine
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Center line block of four, faintly hinged, Very Fine, with 1983 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Center line block of four, lightly hinged, brilliant colors, fresh and Fine
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Intense colors and impressions, face-free cancel at bottom, choice centering with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00), only three have graded higher to date
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Rich colors, neat strike of registry oval cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $245.00)
