Sale 958 — 2008 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 7 June, 2008
Category — Postage Due
10c Red Brown (J19). Bottom imprint and plate no. 331 block of twelve, top stamps Mint N.H., bottom stamps barely hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, superbly centered throughoutEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND EXTREMELY RARE PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 10-CENT 1884 RED BROWN POSTAGE DUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate. As an indication of rarity, Scott Catalogue assigns almost a 100% premium for the plate block versus the price of twelve singles. This is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records.
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Original gum, barely hinged, brilliant color on post-office fresh paperVERY FINE. THE 1914 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL POSTAGE DUE STAMPS.
Scott No. J58 has the highest catalogue value of any regularly issued Postage Due stamp. Only the 1c and 3c Special Printings, Scott Nos. J8 and J10, catalogue higher, at $20,000.00 each. This stamp is the key to any meaningful collection of the Postage Due issues.
With 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates
2c Rose (J60). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,050.00). Only two have graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade.
30c Deep Claret, Perf 10 at Top (J66a var). Neat "St. Louis Mo." precancel, deep rich color, central thin spotFINE AND RARE. THIS AND THE FOLLOWING LOT ARE THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1917 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE PERFORATED 10 ON ONE SIDE. RECENTLY CERTIFIED BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION, THIS WILL LIKELY BE LISTED AS A NEW VARIETY IN THE SCOTT CATALOGUE.
Records indicate that the printing of this Postage Due issue in the Deep Claret shade occurred concurrently with the printing of the Washington-Franklin regular issues that were perforated on the machine with the pins in part of one row set at gauge 10 instead of 11. This stamp and the following lot were both discovered by John R. Boker Jr. as he was sorting his collection of precancels.
With 2008 P.F. certificate. We are tentatively assigning this new variety Scott Catalogue No. J66ab
30c Deep Claret, Perf 10 at Top (J66a var). Neat "Minneapolis Minn." precancel, deep rich color, small tear and corner creaseFINE AND RARE. THIS AND THE PRECEDING LOT ARE THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 30-CENT 1917 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE PERFORATED 10 ON ONE SIDE. RECENTLY CERTIFIED BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION, THIS WILL LIKELY BE LISTED AS A NEW VARIETY IN THE SCOTT CATALOGUE.
Records indicate that the printing of this Postage Due issue in the Deep Claret shade occurred concurrently with the printing of the Washington-Franklin regular issues that were perforated on the machine with the pins in part of one row set at gauge 10 instead of 11. This stamp and the preceding lot were both discovered by John R. Boker Jr. as he was sorting his collection of precancels.
With 2008 P.F. certificate. We are tentatively assigning this new variety Scott Catalogue No. J66ab