Sale 1138 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps, Part 2
Sale Date — Thursday, 6 October, 2016
Category — 1902-1908 Issue (Scott 301-319c)
2c Carmine (301). Mint N.H., brilliant color, mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1903 ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $5,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only to achieve this perfect grade.
3c Bright Violet (302). Mint N.H. with bottom part imprint selvage, wonderful color on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Merlin. With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it.
4c Brown (303). Mint N.H., rich color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins for this difficult issue, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only three have graded higher (two at 98, one at 100J)
5c Blue (304). Mint N.H. with wide left plate no. 1538 selvage with string of plate printers' initials, intense shade and impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT 1903 ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E., AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 5c stamp was used to pay the U.P.U. rate to foreign destinations and so a large quantity was printed. Despite its large printing of just over 550 million (including the rare coils and imperfs), it is difficult to obtain in such superb condition. Only seven have graded higher than 95, and the highest grade we have offered in one of our auctions is 95J.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $4,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only to achieve it.
8c Violet Black (306). Mint N.H., deep shade and proof-like impression on crisp paper, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1902 ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE FIRST UNITED STATES STAMP TO PORTRAY AN AMERICAN WOMAN AS ITS PRIMARY SUBJECT.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). Only three grade higher (all 98J) and five others share this grade.
10c Pale Red Brown (307). Mint N.H. with bottom part imprint selvage, intense shade and impression, unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
13c Purple Black (308). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp with tremendous eye appeal by virtue of its color and centering, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,900.00), only five are graded higher and seven others share this grade
15c Olive Green (309). Mint N.H., pretty shade, perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1903 ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $10,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it.
$1.00 Black (311). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression seems to "pop" off the bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS VISUALLY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1903 ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS OF THE SERIES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
According to Johl, this is the highest denomination of the set that actually served postal needs. It was used for foreign-bound packages weighing almost the acceptable limit.
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $33,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and two others share it.
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Selvage at right, stamp Mint N.H., selvage lightly hinged in ungummed portion, rich color on bright paper, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE.
With 1998 P.F. certificate.
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Original gum, barely hinged, intense color and proof-like impression which is really quite striking, essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE WITH EXTRAORDINARY DEPTH OF COLOR AND WIDTH OF MARGINS.
With two 1998 and 2006 P.F. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. pair, large margins all around, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue, Vertical Coil (317). Pair, lightly hinged, deep rich color and sharp impression, choice centering with wide and well-balanced margins at sidesEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE RARE 5-CENT 1908 VERTICAL COIL.
According to Johl, these first government coils were an experiment, and collectors and dealers were generally unaware of their existence. Regular sheets of 400 were printed and then perforated in only one direction. They were then cut into strips of 20. The strips were then hand pasted together to form rolls. As such, they are almost always strongly centered to one side.
Ex Drucker. With 1967 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue Green, Coil (318). Lightly hinged, deep rich color, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 ONE-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 318.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate for pair
2c Carmine, Coil (322). Lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1908 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 322. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Issued on July 31, 1908, and intended only to be used by private vending machine companies, Scott 322 is only known with the Die II widened line at lower left.
Ex Hollowbush. Small backstamp and signed in pencil. With 1955 and 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $15,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it.
2c Scarlet, Ty. I (319c). Mint N.H., brilliant color in the true Scarlet shade, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)