Sale 1159 — 2017 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2017
Category — Special Delivery, Postage Due
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 $18,300.00). Only one has graded higher and no others share this grade.
1c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J8). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and unmistakable impression of the Special Printing, couple small flaws including thin spot at leftFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1879 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.
With 1980 P.F. certificate. Pencil notations on back
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Unused (no gum), choice centering, rich color and classic cameo of the Special PrintingEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1879 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The reported sale figures for the rare 1c, 2c and 3c Postage Due Special Printings probably include orders filled with regular stamps, as all three are far rarer than the reported sales numbers would suggest. This is rarely offered in sound, centered condition.
With 1999 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
3c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Original gum, hinged only at top, bright color and detailed impression, exceptionally well-centered, especially for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT IS THE RAREST OF THE 1879 POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. THIS IS THE FINEST SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
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 in any condition. Of the fewer than ten examples we have offered since keeping computerized records, only two others are sound with original gum. This superb stamp has the finest centering of the three.
Ex Engel. With 1960, 1999 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates
3c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Unused (no gum), detailed impression, small flaws and thin spot at topFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1879 3-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS THE RAREST POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
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.
With 1970 P.F. certificate
5c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J11). Disturbed original gum, rich color, couple small to miniscule thin spotsFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1879 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1994 P.F. certificate. Small backstamp
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J12). Part original gum covering about half the back, choice centering, classic Special Printing shade and cameoEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS 1879 POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING RARITY.
It has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1990 P.F. certificate
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Original gum, h.r., radiant color and proof-like impression, nibbed perf at lower leftVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 30-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. The vast majority of surviving original-gum examples are faulty.
With 1959 and 2014 P.F. certificates
50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Large part disturbed original gum, intense shade, attractive margins and centering, thin spot and light diagonal creaseVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. Many are faulty to some degree.
With 1995 P.F. certificate
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on post-office fresh paper, wide margins, expertly reperfed at rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. 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, 2c and 3c Special Printings, Scott Nos. J8 - J10, catalogue higher. This stamp is a key to any meaningful collection of the Postage Due issues.
Ex Whitman. With 1983 and 1995 P.F. certificates not mentioning reperfing
1c Rose (J59). Vivid color, well-centeredVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 ONE-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
The Postage Due stamps on unwatermarked paper were perforated with 10-gauge pins for a brief time. Well-centered original-gum examples are exceedingly rare.
With 1995 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates
1c Rose (J59). Original gum, pretty color, three wide marginsFRESH AND VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 ONE-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
Ex Geisler. With 1991 P.F. certificate