Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — Offices in China, Newspapers, Parcel Post
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., pretty shade on bright paper, choice centering for this difficult issue with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 ON 50-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA.
With 2000 and 2005 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,700.00). Only three have graded higher (all at 95) and only three others share this grade.
1c Agriculture, Soft Paper (O94). Without gum as issued, choice centering, vibrant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT AGRICULTURE AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER. AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STAMP TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2008 P.F. certificate
90c Treasury, Soft Paper (O113). Original gum, lightly hinged, excellent color, tiny insignificant central thin spot typical of this soft paper issueVERY FINE APPEARANCE FOR THIS EXTREMELY RARE ISSUE. STAMPS PURPORTED TO BE THE 90-CENT TREASURY AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO. PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER ARE ALMOST ALWAYS MISCLASSIFIED CONTINENTAL PRINTINGS ON INTERMEDIATE PAPER.
This stamp has the true color and soft mesh paper of the American Bank Note Company printing.
With 2009 P.F. certificate.
5c-25c Newspaper, 1875 Special Printings (PR5 var-PR7 var). Without gum as issued, each with top margin, huge margins other sides, brilliant colorsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE SET OF THE 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING OF THE FIRST NEWSPAPER ISSUE.
According to Scott Catalogue, Continental Bank Note Co. made a special printing from new plates, which did not have the colored border. They exist both perforated and imperforate, and were not regularly issued.
Each with 2006 P.S.E. certificate.
12c Pale Rose, 1875 Special Printing (PR40). Without gum as issued, incredibly well-centered with full intact perforations, fresh color and sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST QUALITY NEWSPAPER SPECIAL PRINTINGS TO HAVE SURVIVED AND A GREAT CONDITION RARITY.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; $4,500.00). According to the P.S.E. Population Report only one other shares this grade with just one higher. There are only 31 Newspaper Special Printings in the P.S.E. Population Report from the 2c to $1.92 with some values yet to appear in the census. We view this as a small number, most likely due to the great difficulty in finding stamps that would receive reasonably high grade since the vast majority of those with ungraded certificates have centering or perforation problems, and sometimes both
$50.00 Dull Rose, 1895 Issue (PR112). Original gum, brilliant color on bright paper, unusually wide and well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $50.00 1895 UNWATERMARKED NEWSPAPER ISSUE.
With 1988 and 1997 P.F. certificates
$100.00 Purple, 1895 Issue (PR113). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $100.00 1895 UNWATERMARKED NEWSPAPER ISSUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
3c Parcel Post, Model Essay on Thick Gray Cardboard (Q3-E2). Stamp-size photographic essay which has wash drawing, mounted on 122 x 97mm card with pre-printed "Approved" and ms. "Feb. 22, 1913" and signed by Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock, few insignificant scuffs on card, Very Fine and unique
5c Parcel Post, Model Essay on Thick Gray Cardboard (Q5-E2). Stamp-size photographic essay which has wash drawing, mounted on 105 x 92mm card with pre-printed "Approved" and space for signatures, back with pencil "Not approved", some flaking at top of card, otherwise Very Fine and unique, with 1990 P.F. certificate
25c Parcel Post, Model on Thick Gray Cardboard (Q9-E1). Stamp-size photographic essay which has wash drawing, mounted on 105 x 92mm card with pre-printed "Approved" and ms. "Changed from $1.00" at top and also with ms. "Nov. 14" and signed by Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock, fresh and Very Fine, unique
20c Parcel Post (Q8). Mint N.H., brilliant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 20-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,850.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only five others share this desirable grade.
25c Parcel Post (Q9). Mint N.H., vibrant color, proof-like impression, perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 25-CENT PARCEL POST, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $3,100.00). Only two examples have graded higher to date and only two others share this grade.
75c Parcel Post (Q11). Mint N.H. with right selvage, fabulous Jumbo margins and mathematically centered, fresh and crisp, vivid colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ACCORDING TO THE P.S.E. POPULATION REPORT THIS IS THE ONLY MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS HIGHLY DESIRABLE GRADE WITH NONE HIGHER.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,800.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade)
10c Dark Green, Parcel Post Postage Due (JQ4). Mint N.H. top left selvage plate no. 6250 block of eight, bright shade, detailed impression, absolutely pristineEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE CENTERED AND MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT PARCEL POST POSTAGE DUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate