Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — Air Post including Inverted Jenny Position 48
6c Orange, 1918 Air Post (C1). Mint N.H. with left selvage, wide margins and choice centering, vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $400.00)
16c Green, 1918 Air Post (C2). Mint N.H., rich color and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $400.00)
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00 as 95, $1,250.00 as 98)
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, Center Inverted (C3a). Position 48, lightly hinged, deep rich colors and detailed impressions, remarkably fresh for this rarity, long and full perforations all around with bottom perforations showing part of guide line, two tiny thin spots at left are barely noticeableVERY FINE AND CHOICE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1918 24-CENT INVERTED "JENNY" ERROR. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS THE MOST FAMOUS STAMP IN AMERICAN PHILATELY.
According to Jenny by George Amick (Amos Press, 1986), the original sheet of 100 Inverted "Jenny" stamps was purchased for $24 by William T. Robey at the New York Avenue Branch Post Office window in Washington D.C., on May 14, 1918, one day after the stamp was first placed on sale at the main post office. On May 20, Robey sold his sheet for $15,000 to Eugene Klein, a Philadelphia stamp dealer. Klein had already arranged to sell the sheet to Col. Edward H. R. Green for $20,000. Colonel Green instructed Klein to divide the Inverted "Jenny" sheet into singles and blocks, and to sell all but a few key position blocks.
It is well-known among stamp specialists and professionals that examples of the Inverted "Jenny" come in different grades of freshness and condition. Many of the original 100 stamps were mistreated by collectors during the years, despite the stamps' rarity and value. Colonel Green himself allowed moisture to affect some of the stamps he retained. Other examples have become slightly toned from improper storage and climatic conditions. Hinge removal has caused thins and creases in numerous stamps, and a few have been "lost" to philately -- or nearly so, as in the case of the copy swept up in a vacuum cleaner.
This stamp was originally part of a block of four from Positions 47-48/57-58 that was owned by stamp dealer Eugene Klein. It was inherited by Klein's daughter who sold it to Robert A. Siegel. Mr. Siegel sold it to Raymond H. Weill, who placed it with two different anonymous collectors before being asked to break it into singles. Positions 57 and 58 are among the best-centered examples in the entire sheet, and all four are remarkably fresh.
With 2012 P.F. certificate. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (F 70; SMQ $340,000.00)
8c Dark Green, 1923 Air Post (C4). Mint N.H., wide perfectly balanced margins, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $450.00)
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H., huge well-balanced margins, rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $450.00 as 95, $1,350.00 as 98)
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Mint N.H., vibrant color on post-office fresh paper, wide beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,200.00)
10c-20c Flat Plate Maps, Air Post (C7-C9, C12). Four Mint N.H. stamps, outstanding centering and wide to Jumbo margins throughout, Extremely Fine Gems, each with 2003-04 P.S.E. certificates, including C7 (XF-Superb 95), C8 (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), C9 (Superb 98) and C12 (XF-Superb 95), total SMQ without regard to Jumbo appellation $515.00
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 65-CENT GRAF ZEPPELIN, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,750.00 as 98). Only three have graded higher and only three others share this desirable grade.
65c Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $1,750.00)
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., proof-like impression and deep rich color, mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $3,750.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded in any category. Only four others share this grade.
$1.30 Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,250.00)
$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H., incredibly intense shade and impression, perfectly centered on bright paper with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,250.00). With the exception of the one stamp graded 100J from the Scarsdale Collection (Siegel Sale 910), and one graded Gem 100, this is the highest Mint N.H. grade awarded by P.S.E. to the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin (30 total).