Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — Louisiana Purchase and Jamestown Issues (Scott 323-330)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
3452
1c Louisiana Purchase (323). Wide beautifully balanced margins, deep rich color, light World's Fair machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $200.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others, the 1c Louisiana Purchase had the second largest number of stamps issued, more than 79 million, versus a total of a little more than 15 million for the 3c-10c stamps combined, despite this the 1c is the only stamp of the series without a used example graded 98
5
110
3453
2c Louisiana Purchase (324). Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, vibrant color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $460.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade), this is the only example to achieve this lofty grade, which is the highest awarded, the next highest grade is a single stamp at 95
2
475
Back to Top3454
3c Louisiana Purchase (325). Jumbo margins and choice centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $310.00 as 95, $1,000.00 as 98), only one stamp has graded higher (at 98) and this is the only example to achieve a 95J
30
350
Back to Top3455
5c Louisiana Purchase (326). Colossal margins and essentially perfect centering, deep rich color, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $825.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade), this is the sole example to receive this grade with none higher, this stamp and the 2c in lot 3453 make up the entire population of used Louisiana Purchase stamps grading 98J, no used example has received a Gem 100 grade
25
550
Back to Top3456
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Wide perfectly balanced margins, gorgeous fresh color, unobtrusive strike of barred oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of the Louisiana Purchase Issue top value, with 2011 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $960.00), this is the highest grade awarded to a used stamp and no other example shares this grade, to illustrate the difficulty of finding this issue in choice used condition, the P.S.E. Population Report records only single examples at each grade from 90J to 98, this compares to 30 Mint N.H. examples recorded in the same grade range including five at 98
30
650
Back to Top3457
1c Jamestown (328). Wide margins and essentially perfect centering, deep rich color on fresh paper, light cancel leaves central vignette completely unobscured, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in the finest attainable condition, with 2011 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $590.00), since this stamp was graded seven years ago it has remained the only example to achieve a Superb 98 grade and none has graded higher, the SMQ value seems very conservative considering the more common Mint N.H. 98 grade (five examples plus one 98J) is priced at $1,800.00
5
650
Back to Top3458
2c Jamestown (329). Huge margins and choice centering, bright color on crisp paper, neat wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F., 2003 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $220.00 as 95, unpriced as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and one of only two examples to achieve this grade
4
250
Back to Top3459
5c Jamestown (330). Massive margins and outstanding centering, deep rich color, oval registry cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95), with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00 as 95, unpriced as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
32
425
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