Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1910-13 Washington-Franklin Issue (Scott 374-396)
1c-15c 1910-11 Issue (374-382). Mint N.H., 10c with bottom plate no. 5220 and hollow star selvage, including two distinct shades of the 3c, choice centering, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Nos. 377, 380 and 381 with P.F. certificates
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2c Lake (375b). Original gum, lightly hinged, incredible depth of color and clear impression, unusually wide margins and well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1910 WASHINGTON IN THE ELUSIVE LAKE SHADE.
Through an error at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a small quantity of this stamp was erroneously printed using the inks in use at the time for the Postage Due issues. Many of the examples we have encountered are poorly centered.
Ex Whitman. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue (378). Mint N.H., outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, intense shade on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Alan", with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00)
8c Olive Green (380). Mint N.H., wide margins and outstanding centering, strong color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Alan", with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only seven grade higher
2c Carmine, Imperforate (384). Mint N.H. wide top imprint, plate no. 5329 and star block of six, brilliant color, large margins other sides, Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; plate blocks unpriced in SMQ)
1c Green, Coil (385). Guide line pair, original gum, top stamp Mint N.H., bottom stamp barely hinged, deep rich color, Very Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (386). Mint N.H. guide line pair, brilliant color, gorgeous centering with wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 386 IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, p. 111), the Bureau switched to Perf 8-1/2 for their coils after a very short period of time. The Perf 12 coils proved to be too susceptible to falling apart in the machines used to affix (and make) the coils. Scott 386 was one of the first to be discontinued and was available for only a few months before its perf 8-1/2 replacement became available.
Ex "Hanover". With 1992 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $5,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it.
2c Carmine, Coil (388). Pair with 3mm spacing, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and sharp impression, choice centering with exceptionally wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE SCARCE 2-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED PERF 12 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 388.
From our 2003 Rarities sale and ex Hall. With 2000 and 2005 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Coil (388). Pair with 2mm spacing, original gum, barest trace of hinging, radiant colorVERY FINE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED PERF 12 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 388.
With 1985 and 2000 P.F. certificates as Mint N.H. With 2020 P.F. certificate as hinged (at top).
2c Carmine, Coil (388). Mint N.H., brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins on all sidesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 388. THIS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE.
This 2c coil was in production for only a short period of time before being superseded by the Perf 8-1/2 issue. Due to the greater popularity of the horizontal coils with users, combined with a wary attitude by many collectors that early coils were simply trimmed stamps, many were used and few preserved.
Of the Scott 388 stamps in the P.S.E. Population Report, only three Mint N.H. singles grade above 70. There is one 95, one 98 and this highest-ranking 98J.
Ex Merlin. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $42,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others in any format or gum condition. The highest graded Mint N.H. pair and line pair are both Fine 70.
2c Carmine, Coil (391). Mint N.H. guide line pair, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, with 2021 P.F. certificate
1c Green, Coil (392). Mint N.H. guide line pair, precise centering with wide margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Killien, with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,450.00), only one grades higher (at 98, we have never offered it) and six others share this desirable grade
1c Green, Coil (392). Mint N.H. strip of four, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2021 P.F. certificate, Scott value as two pairs
2c Carmine, Coil (393). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT 1910 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 393.
With 1995 P.F. certificate.
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Mint N.H. guide line pair, bright shade, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Mint N.H. pair with 3mm spacing, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1976 P.F. certificate
4c Brown, Coil (395). Mint N.H. guide line pair, essentially perfect centering with wide margins, deep rich color on post office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEMT MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 4-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 395, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,750.00). Only one line pair grades higher (at 100, ex "Hanover" and Depew) and two share this lofty grade.
4c Brown, Coil (395). Mint N.H. pair with 3mm spacing, rich color, choice centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, ex "Golden Oak", with 1979 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 XQ), the "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality"
4c Brown, Coil (395). Mint N.H., bright shade, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Golden Oak", with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $850.00), only six grade higher and one shares this desirable grade
5c Blue, Coil (396). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (396). Mint N.H. pair, deep rich color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (396). Mint N.H., rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate