Sale 1150 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 1 March, 2017
Category — 1901 Pan-American Issue (Scott 294-299)
1c Pan-American (294). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, deep rich colors, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $750.00), the 95 in this 95 Jumbo grade fails to convey the extraordinary nature of this stamp -- one could search many thousands before finding another with such centering and margin width
2c Pan-American (295). Mint N.H., brilliant colors on bright paper, huge Jumbo margins and almost mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR JUMBO MARGINED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $2,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others, a statistic that has not changed since 2010
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions, mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The Pan-American Issue is notoriously difficult to find with anything even approaching the term "wide margins". Most high-grade copies have margins which measure equally, but are not what one would consider wide when compared to other contemporary issues. The stamp offered here is the exception to that rule.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $22,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade. It is also one of only three Mint N.H. stamps in the entire issue certified in Gem 100 grade (the others are a 1c and a 5c). We hope that one day someone will be able to assemble a set of perfect 100's, and this stamp will undoubtedly be one of the keys to that achievement.
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 1145 selvage, string of plate printers' initials at top, beautifully balanced margins and outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb position single, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00 for normal position)
4c Pan-American (296). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with unusually wide and balanced margins, rich colors, Extremely Fine Gem or appears so depending on which accompanying certificate one believes, with 2007 P.F. certificate as sound, Mint N.H. (Superb 98), with 2016 P.S.E. certificate as reperfed at right
4c Pan-American (296). Lightly hinged with plate printers' initials selvage at top, essentially perfect centering, rich colors, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb position single, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $345.00 for normal position), only one 4c has been graded higher (Mint N.H. graded 100)
5c Pan-American (297). Mint N.H., rich colors on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Ballman and "Scarsdale", with 1988 and 2002 P.F. certificates
8c Pan-American (298). Mint N.H., gorgeous deep colors and detailed impressions on crisp paper, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $5,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only eight others share it out of a total graded population of 298.
10c Pan-American (299). Mint N.H., post-office fresh colors on bright paper, exceptionally wide margins and perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
Ex Merlin and "Hanover". With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $20,000.00). Since this stamp was submitted to P.S.E. in 2007 it has stood alone as the only example to achieve the 98 Jumbo grade, with none higher