Sale 972 — The Laila Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 27-28 April, 2009
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 357-366)
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). With selvage at right, choice well-balanced margins, deep rich color, slight natural gum bend, Very Fine and choice, an exceptionally attractive 3c Bluish Paper, with 2001 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Deep rich color, sharp proof-like impression on fresh deeply-blued paperA FINE AND CHOICE POST-OFFICE FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
This stamp was described in a 1944 Col. Green sale as Mint Never-Hinged and has been sold three times since as Never Hinged. In 1999 the Philatelic Foundation rendered its opinion "previously hinged", basing its conclusion on what we believe is a tiny natural vertical ridge in the gum at the very top of the stamp. The stamp is sold on the basis of the current certificate, because sometimes hinging is in the eye of the beholder, but we feel confident that the provenance and physical characteristics weigh heavily in this stamp's favor.
With 1976 and 1999 P.F. certificates
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Lightly hinged, bright and fresh, well-centered for this difficult stamp, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BLUISH PAPER -- THE RAREST OF THE REGULARLY-ISSUED BLUISH PAPERS.
The 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps were released by postal officials and not sold through the post office. The 5c is the third rarest of the set and the rarest of the regularly-issued Bluish Paper stamps.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Small h.r., vibrant color on deeply blued paper, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1997 P.F. certificate
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Lightly hinged, intense color on deeply blued paper, wide margins for this difficult issue, light pencil notation on backEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY-CENTERED AND FRESH ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish paper stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vibrant color on nicely blued paper, fresh and Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). H.r., rich color on nicely blued paper, crisp impression, Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Balanced margins and choice centering on deeply blued paper, fresh and brightEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
With 1998 P.F. certificate