Sale 1000 — Siegel Sale 1000
Sale Date — Wednesday, 8 December, 2010
Category — Special Delivery
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Mint N.H., deep rich color on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST "RUNNING MESSENGER" SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, SCOTT E1. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE.
The first Special Delivery is easily distinguished from those that follow because the explanatory text at center is straight. In subsequent issues the "Post Office" is curved.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $9,000.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Mint N.H., exceptionally wide margins and nearly perfectly centered, vivid color on post office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MARVELOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE SECOND SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE OF 1888. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $9,000.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only four others share this grade.
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, almost perfectly centered with Jumbo margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00 as 95, $1,250.00 as 98), as an indicator of rarity of this issue in higher grades, SMQ does not even price it as Mint N.H. 98.
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Mint N.H., deep rich color nicely contrasted by bright white paper, beautifully centered with wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE IS A NOTORIOUSLY CHALLENGING ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN THIS SUPERIOR GRADE -- P.S.E. HAS GRADED THIS STAMP XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO.
The 1894 series, being the first printed by the Bureau, encountered many production problems. Most stamps were poorly centered and have small margins.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $15,000.00 as 95, unpriced as 98). Only one has graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade.
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E5). Mint N.H., wide margins of near Jumbo proportions, almost perfect centering, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT-NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 WATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,800.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98, offered in our Whitman sale).
10c Green, Special Delivery (E7). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and marvelous color, fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00 as 95, $1,600.00 as 98)
10c Ultramarine (E9). Mint N.H., radiant color on crisp paper, almost perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00)
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, magnificent centering with wide and balanced margins all around, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Beverly Hills". With 2010.P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,750.00). Only three examples have graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report and only two others share this desirable grade
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, superb centering with unusually wide and balanced margins all around, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $3,750.00). Only three examples have graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report and two others share this desirable grade.
10c Gray Violet, Special Delivery (E12). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $400.00)
10c Deep Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E12a). Mint N.H., fresh color and paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $920.00 as 98), only two grade higher to date and only one other shares this lofty grade
10c Deep Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E12a). Mint N.H., vibrant color on fresh paper, almost mathematical centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $920.00), only four have graded higher to date
15c Deep Orange, Special Delivery (E13). Mint N.H., wide margins and exceptionally choice centering, beautiful vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $485.00), only one example has graded higher to date (at 98J)
20c Black, Special Delivery (E14). Mint N.H., massive margins, intense shade and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $50.00 as 95, $160.00 as 98)
10c Gray Violet, Special Delivery (E15). Mint N.H., huge margins and mathematically perfect centering, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $450.00), this is the highest grade awarded to date and is shared by only two others
20c Black, Special Delivery (E19). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins with precise centering, crisp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $350.00)