Sale 1197 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 14-15 March, 2019
Category — 1922-29 Issues (Scott 551-621)
5c Dark Blue, Perf 10 at Bottom (557c). Deep rich color, attractive margins and centering, "South Bend Ind." precancel applied upside downVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 1922 5-CENT ROOSEVELT PERFORATED 10 AT BOTTOM. ONLY 18 COPIES ARE RECORDED.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel. Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
Our census of Scott 557c, available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/557c , contains 13 used singles, four in a used block and one on cover, for a total of 18 copies. Nearly half have faults, leaving fewer than 10 sound examples. This sound example has not appeared on the market in more than 50 years.
Census No. 557c-CAN-03. With 1964 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates
15c Gray (566). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, crisp shade on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,450.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others
20c Carmine Rose (567). Mint N.H., wide margins and mathematically perfect centering, vibrant color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.F. (Superb 98, obviously undergraded) and 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,800.00), only one grades higher
25c Yellow Green (568). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, outstanding margins and centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $700.00), only five grade higher (highest is 100)
30c Olive Brown (569). Mint N.H., near perfect centering, rich color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $850.00)
50c Lilac (570). Mint N.H., brilliant color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Clipper City", with 2012 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $925.00)
$1.00 Violet Black (571). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, essentially perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex "Clipper City", with 2010 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $850.00), only six grade higher (highest is 100)
$2.00 Deep Blue (572). Mint N.H., precise centering, deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $700.00)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H. with right part arrow selvage, brilliant colors on bright white paper, magnificent centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,150.00), only two stamps grade higher (one at 98J, one at 100)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H., bright colors, near perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,150.00), only two stamps grade higher (one at 98J, one at 100)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H., bottom right corner selvage with plate finisher's initials, choice centering, brilliant colors, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2018 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, intense colors on bright white paper, choice centering throughout, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; blocks unpriced in SMQ)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Two items, first Mint N.H. centerline block of four, wide margins, Very Fine, second Mint N.H. single, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $250.00)
$5.00 Carmine Lake & Dark Blue (573a). Mint N.H. wide top arrow, marker and double plate nos. F14326/F14327 block of eight, unmistakable intense shades of the Carmine Lake and Dark Blue, exceptional centering throughout with beautifully balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE ELUSIVE $5.00 1922 CARMINE LAKE & DARK BLUE HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK WE HAVE OFFERRED.
While the normal color Scott 573 plate block is relatively easy to find, the Scott 573a plate block is nearly impossible to find in this superior condition. A Power Search review emphasizes this fact. We have offered only two others in sound Mint N.H. condition since keeping computerized records (a third example received a certificate as the normal 573) and none had the centering to match this gem.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; Plate blocks unpriced in SMQ)
$5.00 Carmine Lake & Dark Blue (573a). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, wide margins and well-centered, bold colors, Extremely Fine, the bottom right stamp is a Gem, with 2017 P.F. certificate
1c-10c 1923-26 Issue, Perf 10 (581-591). Plate no. blocks of four, some Mint N.H. including Nos. 581, 584, 588 and 590, bright colors, couple minor flaws, Fine set
7c Black, Perf 10 (588). Mint N.H., deep shade and impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Hanover", with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,025.00), only three grade higher (highest is 100)
9c Rose, Perf 10 (590). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $650.00), only three grade higher (highest is 100)
10c Orange, Perf 10 (591). Mint N.H., vivid color and detailed impression, wide and perfectly balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Clipper City", with 2008 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,275.00), only two grade higher (both at 100)
2c Carmine, Rotary, Perf 11 (595). Mint N.H., rich color, Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
1c-10c 1923-29 Issue Coils (597-606). Complete set of Mint N.H. pairs, outstanding centering and margins throughout, fresh colors, Extremely Fine Gems, each with P.S.E. certificate graded XF-Superb 95, except No. 606 is graded XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, total SMQ $1,060.00 counting No. 606 as 95
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2c Harding, Rotary, Perf 10 (612). Mint N.H., beautifully centered, exceptionally fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $575.00), only six grade higher
2c Lexington-Concord (618). Radiant color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, neat boxed handstamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $325.00 as 98), this is the highest grade possible on the grading chart and it is the only example to achieve it