Sale 1134 — The Alan Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 14 September, 2016
Category — 1908-12 Issues (Scott 367-396)
2c Lincoln (367). Mint N.H., mathematically prefect centering, radiant color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a truly superb stamp, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $725.00), only five others have achieved this perfect grade
2c Lincoln, Bluish (369). Mint N.H., gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
1c Green (374). Mint N.H., perfect centering with Jumbo margins, bright and post-office fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $650.00), this is the highest grade awarded to an unused Scott 374 (either Mint N.H. or hinged) and it is shared by only five others
3c Deep Violet (376). Mint N.H., remarkably wide and well-proportioned margins, bright shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00)
5c Blue (378). Mint N.H., outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, intense shade on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00)
6c Red Orange (379). Incredible Jumbo margins, wonderful bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $350.00)
8c Olive Green (380). Mint N.H., wide margins and outstanding centering, strong color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
15c Pale Ultramarine (382). Choice balanced margins, vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $525.00)
1c Green, Coil (385). Mint N.H. pair, outstanding centering with balanced margins, bright color, post-office fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Golden Oak", with 1988 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00)
1c Green, Coil (385). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, fresh color and paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Merlin and "Golden Oak", with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only four other singles have equaled it
2c Carmine, Coil (386). Guide line pair, barest trace of hinging, brilliant color, gorgeous centering both side to side and top to bottomEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT 1910 VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 386.
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.
Ex "Scarsdale" and Curtis. 1998 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H. no longer accompanies. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00). This is the only guide line pair awarded this high grade with none higher. The highest Mint N.H. line pair is graded 90
2c Carmine, Coil (386). Mint N.H., vivid color, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, ex Hall, with 2002 (copy for a pair) and 2004 P.F. certificates
1c Green, Coil (387). Pair with 3mm spacing, lightly hinged, perfect centering with Jumbo margins, rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE 1910 ONE-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL.
With 2000 P.S.E., 2001 P.F. and 2014 P.S.A.G. certificates (98J ogPH). By comparison, the P.S.E. Population Report lists no pairs or line pairs of Scott 387 in a grade above 98 (one Mint N.H. pair grades 98)
1c Green, Coil (387). Lightly hinged, rich color gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $575.00)
2c Carmine, Coil (388). Pair with 2mm spacing, barely hinged, well-centered with balanced margins, deep rich color and detailed impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY HINGED PAIR OF THE SCARCE 1910 2-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED PERF 12 HORIZONTAL COIL.
With 1992 P.S.E. certificate. With 2003 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
2c Carmine, Coil (388). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1910 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 388, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
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, most were used and few preserved.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $15,000.00)
3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (389). Outstanding centering for this difficult issue, classic Orangeburg Coil shade and wavy-line cancellation, diagonal crease at top left and small crease at top centerEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE GREAT COIL RARITIES IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911, specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps' use on third-class mail, and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production accounts for their rarity. Many have small faults such as corner creases or small tears.
With 2002 and 2010 P.F. certificates
1c Green, 2c Carmine, Coils (390-391). Guide line pairs, both barely hinged, precise centering, marvelous colors, Extremely Fine Gems, 1c with with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98), 2c with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95), total SMQ $825.00
1c Green, Coil (390). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $375.00)
1c-5c Perf 8.5 Coils, Superb Graded Balance (391/412). Unused group of seven singles, one pair and one guide line pair, including Nos. 391 (OGh, Superb 98 Jumbo), 392 (Mint N.H., XF-Superb 95), 393 (DOG, Superb 98), 395 (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), 396 (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo), 396 pair (P.F. OGph, XF 90 XQ), 410 (OGph, XF-Superb 95), 412 (Mint N.H. with small gum skips, XF 90 Jumbo), 412 guide line pair (P.F. OGph, XF-Superb 95), Extremely Fine Gems throughout, total SMQ as all P.S.E. graded stamps $1,785.00
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2c Carmine, Coil (391). Mint N.H. guide line pair, wide margins, outstanding centering, vivid color on crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. certificate
1c Green, 2c Carmine, Coils (392-393). Guide line pairs, 1c disturbed original gum, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (DOG, XF-Superb 95), 2c barely hinged, exceptional centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H., with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95), total SMQ $900.00
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Guide line pair, lightly hinged, rich color and proof-like impression, balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $625.00)
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Pair with 3mm spacing, lightly hinged, essentially perfect centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb pair, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $500.00)
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, wonderful rich color and sharp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Gem 100; SMQ $375.00), this is one of only three to have been awarded this top grade
4c Brown, Coil (395). Pair, barely hinged, deep rich color, perfect centering, fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $525.00)