Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — 1902-08 Issues (Scott 300-320)
1c Blue Green (300). Near mathematical centering, rich color, unobtrusive duplex cancel leaves Franklin vignette unobscured, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate (Superb 98)
3c Bright Violet (302). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1990, 2021 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (latter two XF-Superb 95)
15c Olive Green (309). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression, Very Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
50c Orange (310). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, radiant color, fresh and Very Fine, with copy of 2003 P.F. certificate for strip of three
$1.00 Black (311). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1902 ISSUE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
According to Johl, this is the highest denomination of the set that actually served postal needs. It was used for foreign-bound packages weighing almost the acceptable limit.
With 1989, 2000 and 2022 P.F. certificates (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and it is shared by no others. By way of comparison, the highest grade in the P.S.E. Population Report is also 98, with three examples.
$1.00 Black (311). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, detailed impression, fresh and Very Fine, an attractive stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate for block of four
$1.00 Black (311). With wide top part imprint selvage, stamp Mint N.H., h.r. in selvage, detailed impression, Very Fine
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2002 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Only four grade higher (all at 95). SCV $2,500.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Original gum, fresh color, attractive centering and margins, Very Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Rich color on bright paper, registry oval cancel, wide margins, Very Fine, with 1983 and 2006 P.F. certificates
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. with left sheet margin, other sides large margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), SCV $600
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. pair, large margins to clear, deep rich color, Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Original gum with small adherence, large margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Original gum, large margins and rich color, Extremely Fine
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Right imprint and plate no. 2953 block of six, original gum, h.r. except bottom pair Mint N.H., large margins to full, rich color, Very Fine plate block
5c Blue, Coil (317). Original gum, narrow h.r. and some pencil notations on gum, wide margins, small corner crease at bottom right
VERY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BLUE VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 317.
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. This well-centered example is a nice exception.
With copy of 2014 P.S.E. certificate for a pair — this the bottom stamp and called Mint N.H. (it is no longer N.H.).
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. I (319b). Mint N.H., wide margins and beautifully centered, intense shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), incredibly only one stamp grades higher than the 95 offered here — a single example at 95J
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II (319Fj). Original gum, lightly hinged, essentially perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "World Traveler", with 1977 and 2023 P.F. certificates (Superb 98)
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Imperforate (320). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins with portions of all adjoining stamps, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in this grade, SMQ as Gem 100)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. I, Imperforate (320c). Massive margins including plate no. 3222 top sheet margin, bright color, wavy-lines machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), despite the modest SMQ value this is a very unusual used stamp in this choice grade, no others grade higher or even match this grade in the P.S.E. Population Report
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Original gum, brilliant color and outstanding centering
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT 1908 HORIZONTAL COIL, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E.
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.
Small backstamp. With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90). This is the only Scott 322 single at this grade with just three higher. SCV $7,000.