Sale 1000 — Siegel Sale 1000
Sale Date — Wednesday, 8 December, 2010
Category — Postage Due
1c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J8). Mint N.H., beautiful intense shade and sharp proof-like impression on bright paperFINE. A WONDERFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle No. 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures. For the 1c, Mooz estimates 500 sold, but it is possible that as many as 400 purchased by G. B. Calman were destroyed. It is widely accepted that nearly 9,000 1c stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues.
Ex Hoffman. With 1994 P.S.E. and 2005 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Original gum, lightly hingedFINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle No. 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures.
With 1971 and 2007 P.F. certificates
3c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Unused (no gum), bright color and detailed impression, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT IS POSSIBLY THE RAREST OF THE POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS, AND IS EXTREMELY ELUSIVE IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.
Although 436 copies were reported sold, it is believed that 100 copies were destroyed in the Calman lot. A thorough search of the marketplace, combined with conversations with dealers and collectors, has confirmed the extreme rarity of this stamp.
Ex Hoffman. With 1950, 1995 and 2008 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as with original gum
50c Red Brown (J21). Mint N.H., bright and fresh color, detailed impression showing every nuance of the design, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1884 RED BROWN POSTAGE DUE.
With 1990 and 2001 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $5,300.00). This is the only Mint N.H. example to be awarded this grade, which is the highest grade given to date in any condition.
50c Bright Claret (J28). Mint N.H., beautiful warm color on crisp paper, unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1891 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE.
With 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,400.00)
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Original gum, barely hinged, brilliant color on post-office fresh paperVERY FINE. THE 1914 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL POSTAGE DUE STAMPS.
Scott No. J58 has the highest catalogue value of any regularly issued Postage Due stamp. Only the 1c-3c Special Printings, Scott Nos. J8-J10, catalogue higher. This stamp is the key to any meaningful collection of the Postage Due issues.
With 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates
1c Rose (J59). Mint N.H. right margin plate no. single, pretty pastel shade, almost perfectly centered with wide and well-balanced margins, trivial natural inclusion at top left barely visible on front of stampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 ONE-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE.
The Perf 10 Postage Due stamps were printed on unwatermarked paper for a brief time. Well-centered original-gum examples are exceedingly rare. This Mint Never-Hinged copy with the finest centering available for this stamp is a true condition rarity.
With 2001 P.F. certificate