Sale 968B — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Three: 1902-34 Issues, B-O-B
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 22-25 September, 2009
Category — Postage Due (Scott J15-J28)
1c Red Brown (J15). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1986 and 2000 P.F. certificates, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $680.00), this is the only example graded 95, and only one has graded higher
5c Red Brown (J18). Mint N.H., huge margins, outstanding centering, warm color on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE. SELDOM-SEEN QUALITY FOR THIS 1891 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE AND ESPECIALLY SCARCE IN NEVER-HINGED POST-OFFICE CONDITION.
We have offered only seven Mint N.H. examples since keeping computerized records.
With 1997 P.F. certificate
10c Red Brown (J19). Mint N.H. with selvage at top, incredibly deep rich color on bright paper, three Jumbo margins, other margin wideEXTREMELY FINE. A HUGE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1884 RED BROWN POSTAGE DUE. A STAMP OF TRULY JUMBO DIMENSIONS.
An initial look at this remarkable stamp might lead the observer to conclude that the bottom margin is close. In fact, the bottom margin would qualify as wide on virtually any other example of this issue.
With 1993 P.F. certificate
30c Red Brown (J20). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, crisp color and impression, Extremely Fine, with 1994 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $990.00)
50c Red Brown (J21). Mint N.H., proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1884 50-CENT RED BROWN POSTAGE DUE.
With 1992 P.F. certificate
1c Bright Claret (J22). Mint N.H., bright color, well-balanced Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $185.00 as 90, $390.00 as 95)
2c Bright Claret (J23). Mint N.H. with selvage at top, bright shade and detailed impression on fresh paper, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine
3c Bright Claret (J24). Mint N.H., rich color, nicely centered, ample to wide margins, Very Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $170.00)
5c Bright Claret (J25). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, wonderful deep rich color, excellent centering with two Jumbo margins, others wide, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
10c Light Claret (J26). Mint N.H., brilliant color and detailed impression, almost mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1891 10-CENT LIGHT CLARET POSTAGE DUE ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,950.00). This is the only example to have achieved this desirable grade to date. None have graded higher.
30c Bright Claret (J27). Mint N.H., brilliant color and detailed impression, beautiful centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, we have offered only six other Mint N.H. examples in the last ten years, with 1993 P.F. certificate
50c Bright Claret (J28). Mint N.H., beautiful warm color on crisp paper, choice wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1891 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate, and 2000 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,400.00)