Sale 1150 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 1 March, 2017
Category — 1902-08 Imperforate Issues incl. Scott 341A (Scott 314-315)
1c Blue Green, Imperforate (314). Mint N.H., enormous margins with parts of all eight adjoining stamps, rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $450.00 as 100, unpriced in 100 Jumbo grade)
4c Brown, Imperforate, Schermack Ty. III (314A). Full Schermack perforations on both sides, deep rich color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE, SCOTT 314A, IN SOUND CONDITION. ONLY 32 USED SINGLES ARE CONTAINED IN OUR CENSUS.
With the rising popularity of vending and affixing machines, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing received numerous requests from manufactures for supplies of imperforate stamps, which could then be privately perforated to conform to each firm's machine. In May 1908, a supply of 25 sheets (400 stamps per sheet) of the 4c 1902 Issue, without perforations, was delivered to the Schermack Mailing Machine Co. in Detroit. The entire supply was cut into coils with Schermack Type III perforations, designed for the firm's patented affixing machine and delivered to the Winfield Printing Co. for use on mass mailings of advertising material. Approximately 6,000 were used on a mailing for Hamilton Carhartt Manufacturer, and almost all of the 4,000 balance were used on a mailing for Burroughs Adding Machine Co.
Our census of Scott 314A incorporates the records of The Philatelic Foundation, the Levi records (which represents over 40 years of auction sales) and our own computerized sales history, and is available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/314A/314A.pdf . The census reveals a startling fact -- there are only 32 used singles (two on piece), a used strip of three, a used pair and three covers (one of which bears a strip of three), for a total of 42 used stamps. Our previous assumption was that this number was much higher. Approximately one-third show the Schermack perforations on both sides.
Census No. 314A-CAN-18. With 2017 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. with wide right half arrow margin, large even margins other three sides, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful position single of this issue, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00 for normal)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., rich color on fresh paper, large balanced margins, Extremely Fine
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., attractive margins, rich color, Very Fine, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $650.00)
5c Blue, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. III (315). Guide line pair, deep rich color, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 5-CENT U.S. AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE COMPANY TYPE III.
With 1993 P.F. and 2015 P.S.A.G. certificates
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. wide right arrow block of four, large even margins other sides, bright color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ as a block), Scott Retail as two Mint N.H. pairs