Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — Special Delivery
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Original gum, gorgeous deep color on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,600.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this desirable grade, which is the highest awarded
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1888 10-CENT RUNNING MESSENGER SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $2,400.00). Only one example has been graded higher (at 100J) and no others share this grade
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE SPECIAL DELIVERY, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,250.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this lofty grade, which is the highest awarded
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Original gum, lightly hinged, flawless centering with huge Jumbo margins, striking deep color on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 FIRST BUREAU UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1992 and 2002 P.F. certificates, the former as a block of four. With 2003 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $4,850.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other stamp has equaled it
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E5). Original gum, small corner h.r., wide margins and almost mathematically centered, deep rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, Superb 98; SMQ $1,350.00), this is the highest grade awarded and is shared by only three others
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Wide margins and choice centering, hinged in one corner, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $670.00)
10c Green, Special Delivery (E7). Mint N.H., perfect centering and rich color, light "E7" pencil notation on gum not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,350.00 as Mint N.H.), Scott Retail as Mint N.H.
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E8). Mint N.H., bright color and proof-like impression, outstanding centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1911 SERIES SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP, SCOTT E8.
The first "Messenger on Bicycle" Special Delivery design was the 1902 double-line watermarked Scott E6. In 1908 the "Helmut of Mercury" Special Delivery stamp was issued. However, the Messenger on Bicycle design was re-issued in 1911 from new plates with a single-line watermark, and the same basic design was issued continuously until the Motorcycle Delivery design replaced it in 1922.
With 2006 P.F. (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo) and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,050.00 as 98). Only one stamp has equaled this grade and only one has been graded higher (at 100J, ex Whitman)
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E9). Mint N.H., brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, perfectly centered with enormous margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ULTRAMARINE 1914 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,950.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Mint N.H., wide margins and essentially perfect centering, lovely pastel color on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,700.00). This is one of only three to have achieved this highly desirable grade with just two higher
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery, "Pink Back" (E11 var). Mint N.H., gorgeous color, Jumbo margins with essentially perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $275.00 as 95, $775 as 98 for normal), a footnote in Scott states that Pink Backs are "valued at approximately five times more than the normal stamp", Scott Retail as normal
15c Deep Orange, Special Delivery (E13). Mint N.H., vivid color as fresh as the day it was printed, precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $360.00), only one has graded higher (at 98J)
10c Red Lilac, Special Delivery (E15a). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $300.00)
Special Delivery, Superb Balance (E14-E21). Seven Mint N.H. stamps, missing only E15, outstanding centering and margins throughout, Extremely Fine Gems, each P.S.E. graded, including E14 (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), E16 (Superb 98, highest graded), E17 (Superb 98), E18 (Superb 98), E19 (Superb 98), E20 (Superb 98), E21 (Gem 100, highest graded), total SMQ without regard to the Jumbo appellation $1,075.00