Sale 1120 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 17-18 March, 2016
Category — 1902-08 Issues (Scott 300-322)
1c Blue Green (300). Mint N.H. with part bottom imprint selvage, deep rich color, detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a Jumbo stamp, ex Whitman, with 1990 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates
50c Orange (310). Mint N.H., vibrant color on post-office fresh paper, attractive margins and centering, Very Fine, 1996 P.F. certificate for a block of four no longer accompanies (no. 390213)
50c Orange (310). Jumbo margins and well-centered, bright vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $500.00)
$1.00 Black (311). Well-centered, intense shade on crisp paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $650.00)
1c Blue Green, Imperforate (314). Mint N.H., enormous margins with parts of all eight adjoining stamps, rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $450.00 as 100, unpriced in 100 Jumbo grade)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. with top part imprint sheet margin, large margins other sides, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. pair, huge margins all around, deep shade and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous pair, with 1990 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. horizontal pair, large to huge margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a lovely pair
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. block of four, large margins, some overall toning, otherwise Very Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (317). Mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, intense shade and impression on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ASTONISHING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 317, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. A PERFECT STAMP IN THE FINEST ATTAINABLE CONDITION.
According to Johl, these first government coils were an experiment, and collectors and dealers were generally unaware of their existence. Regular sheets of 400 were printed and then perforated in only one direction. They were then cut into strips of 20. The strips were then hand pasted together to form rolls. As such, they are almost always strongly centered to one side. The futility of attempts to find sound and centered examples has resulted in very few even being considered for grading. The P.S.E. Population Report bears this out, as only three stamps have been submitted for grading, with the highest before this example a 90J (for a paste-up single). In fact, we were unable to find any other perforated stamps from any issue in the P.S.E. Population Report graded 100J (or even 100) even close to the rarity of Scott 317.
With 1976 P.F. certificate for a pair, this the top stamp. With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90)
1c Blue Green, Coil (318). Pair, small h.r., deep rich color and sharp impression, balanced marginsVERY FINE. A RARE PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL.
Both stamps signed Fox and with Mekeel backstamp. With 1970 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Pair, small h.r., unusually wide and balanced margins, brilliant color, trivial light stain in left margin of right stamp not mentioned on certificateVERY FINE. A RARE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 322.
Issued on July 31, 1908, and intended only to be used by private vending machine companies, Scott 322 is only known with the Die II widened line at lower left.
With 1971 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. I (319b). Mint N.H., intense color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Scarlet, Booklet Panes of Six (319g, 319p). Mint N.H., brilliant colors, latter Position D with plate no. at top right, fresh and Very Fine-Extremely Fine booklet panes
2c Lake, Ty. II, Imperforate (320A; formerly 320a). Mint N.H. left imprint and plate no. 4671 block of six, large margins, deep rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine Mint N.H. plate block of this desirable shade, with 2012 P.F. certificate
2c Scarlet, Ty. I, Imperforate (320b). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins all around showing significant portions of all eight adjoining stamps, gorgeous color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $750.00 as 100, unpriced in 100 Jumbo grade)