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 J29-J50)
1c Vermilion (J29). Mint N.H., brilliant color and fresh, well-centered for this early Bureau issueA VERY FINE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP TO FIND IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
As an indication of rarity, the Zoellner collection contained a hinged example, because years of searching failed to uncover a suitable Mint N.H. copy. We have offered only six Mint N.H. examples since keeping computerized records.
With 1993 P.S.E. certificate
2c Vermilion (J30). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, ample to wide marginsVERY FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT VERMILION 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE POSTAGE DUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate
1c Deep Claret (J31). Mint N.H., unusually rich color, sharp proof-like impression on bright paper, wide even margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $800.00), only one stamp has graded higher to date
2c Deep Claret (J32). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp of massive proportions, with 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00 as 95, $1,650.00 as 98)
3c Deep Claret (J33). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $880.00)
10c Claret (J35 var). Mint N.H., unusually bright color, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT DEEP CLARET POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. A STAMP POSSESSING REMARKABLE FRESHNESS.
It is interesting to note that, unlike other denominations of the series, the Scott Catalogue only lists the 10c in the Deep Claret shade. We would classify this as Claret, and it is noted as such on the most recent certificate.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1988 and 2000 P.F. certificates.
30c Pale Rose (J36b). Mint N.H., radiant color, Very Fine and choice, with 1985 P.F. certificate
50c Deep Claret (J37). Mint N.H., rich color, wide and well-balanced marginsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1894 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE IN THE DEEP CLARET SHADE
The 50c 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Postage Due Issue is notorious for its typically poor centering. The combination of centering and pristine never-hinged gum makes this example very desirable. We have offered only three other Mint N.H. singles since keeping computerized records.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
1c Deep Claret (J38). Mint N.H., beautiful color, proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Claret (J38 var). Mint N.H., radiant color which is distinctly different from the main Scott-listed shade, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $100.00 as 90, $305.00 as 95)
2c Deep Claret (J39). Mint N.H. with plate no. 247 selvage at bottom, beautiful deep rich color on bright white paper, precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $550.00)
2c Carmine (J39 var). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine example of this sub-shade, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $100.00)
3c Carmine (J40 var). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all around, Extremely Fine Gem example of this sub-shade, with 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $840.00), this is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade
5c Deep Claret (J41). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 1792 selvage, rich color on bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
10c Deep Claret (J42). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate for a pair
30c Deep Claret (J43). Mint N.H. with plate no. 73 selvage, intense shade and impression on bright paper, three Jumbo marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 30-CENT WATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
A review of our records using Power Search yielded only six other Mint N.H. examples sold by us since 1999, none with a plate number.
With 1985 P.F. certificate
50c Deep Claret (J44). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, almost perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT CLARET 1897 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS BUREAU ISSUE IS ONE OF THE RAREST POSTAGE DUES IN ANY CHOICE GRADE.
With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,550.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and no other examples share this grade
2c Rose Carmine (J46a). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 5519 selvage, vibrant color on crisp white paper, Jumbo margins, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $240.00 as 90, $400.00 as 95)
2c Rose Carmine (J46a). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with wide margins all around, Extremely Fine, with 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
3c Deep Claret (J47). Mint N.H., well-centered, wide side margins, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, this stamp will appeal to those familiar with this Postage Due issue who know that copies are usually found with small margins which often touch or cut in, with 1999 P.F. certificate
5c Deep Claret (J48). Mint N.H., choice centering, brilliant color and proof-like impression, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1983 (for a block) and 1997 P.F. certificates
10c Deep Claret (J49). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
10c Rose Carmine (J49a). Mint N.H., wide margins, intense shade, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine, with 1993, 2003 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
50c Deep Claret (J50). Mint N.H., vibrant color on post office fresh paper, proof-like impression, wide balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE 50-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK POSTAGE DUE IS RARE IN THIS CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,250.00). Only one example has graded higher to date and only two others share this grade