Sale 1217 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 3 March, 2020
Category — 1902-08 Issues (Scott 300-320)
1c-$5.00 1902 Issue, "Specimen" Ovpts. (300S/313S). Eight denominations plus corresponding Special Delivery stamps, each with large "Specimen" overprint, including strip of three of 1c, 2c pair and two singles, 3c pair and three singles, 4c pair and three singles, 5c pair and two singles, 6c pair and single, 50c strip of three and single, $5.00 two singles, E6 four singles (one different shade), unused (no gum), few faults, Fine-Very Fine and desirable group from a postal archives
1c-$5.00 1902-03 Issue, "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. E (300S-E-313S-E). Complete set, original gum with some h.r., bright colors, a couple tiny flaws but overall good condition and fresh, Fine-Very Fine
1c Blue Green, Booklet Pane of Six, Misplaced Plate Number (300b var). Position D with plate no. 3472 above the top left stamp, stamps Mint N.H., small h.r. in selvage, deep rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering, vertical perf separations extend into top pairVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MISPLACED PLATE NUMBER BOOKLET PANE OF THE 1902 ONE-CENT ISSUE. PERHAPS FIVE ARE KNOWN.
As discussed in an article in the U.S. Specialist (March 1998, pp. 129-130), this error resulted from the plate number being entered over the fifth stamp to the right of the central guide line rather than over the fourth stamp, as was normally the case. The proof sheet in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum for plate number 3472 demonstrates the error.
1c Blue Green, Booklet Pane of Six (300b). Position D with plate no. 3503, Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, attractive plate number pane
1c Blue Green, Booklet Pane of Six (300b). Position D with plate no. 3340, lightly hinged (really just a few gum skips), intense shade and gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine, a beautiful pane
2c Carmine, Booklet Pane of Six (301c). Mint N.H., vivid color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine
50c Orange, $1.00 Black (310-311). Matching top imprint pairs, 50c small h.r., vibrant color, $1.00 lightly hinged, detailed impression, 50c small hole in selvage may be natural from staple, Fine-Very Fine, impressive imprint pairs, Scott Retail as singles
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Well-centered with wide margins, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1902 ISSUE. AN ESPECIALLY HANDSOME STAMP.
With 1992 P.F. Certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (313). Wide margins, bold registry oval cancels, reperfed at right, looks Very Fine and choice
1c Blue Green, Imperforate (314). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins with part imprint in bottom sheet margin, portions of all other surrounding stamps, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $450.00)
1c Blue Green, Imperforate (314). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins with parts of all surrounding stamps, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $450.00 for 100)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., enormous margins all around, fresh color and paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., large margins all around, fresh color and paper, Extremely Fine
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., large even margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., rich color, large even margins, Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), also with 2019 P.S.E. certificate stating the stamp is regummed, we think the gum is original but offered on its own merits
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. pair, large margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,600.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Vertical Pair, San Francisco Roulette (319r, formerly 319e var). Unused (no gum), bright shade, attractive margins and centeringVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS FAMOUS AND FASCINATING BUREAU ISSUE PERFORATION VARIETY.
There are three distinct imperforate errors for the 1903 2c Shield Issue, listed in Scott as Nos. 319d, 319e and 319r, offered here.
The imperforate-horizontally multiples (Scott 319d) come from a block of 25 purchased from the Washington D.C. post office. All known examples of Scott 319d are printed in a deeper shade of Carmine than 319e or the San Francisco Roulette. The imperforate-between multiples (Scott 319e and the San Francisco Roulette 319r) come from two sources, according to research by Roger Brody. All multiples listed as Scott as 319e (without roulette) have very faint blind perf holes between the stamps; the shade and centering of all Scott 319e's are identical, but as a group they differ from the rouletted examples. The imperforate-between with roulettes come from a small number of sheets received by the San Francisco postmaster that were missing a line of perforations between the first and second rows at top (unlike No. 319e without roulette, which comes from the bottom two rows). Rather than destroy or return the problem sheets, the postmaster applied his own roulette for separation. The existence of top position blocks confirms the position of the error stamps in the sheet.
With 1970 P.F. certificate (as the old 319e). Scott Retail as original gum
2c Carmine, Ty. II (319Fi, formerly 319i). Vivid color, near mathematical perfect centering with wide margins, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp which would be difficult to improve upon, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $925.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
2c Scarlet, Ty. I, Imperforate (320b). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins all around, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $750.00 as 100, unpriced as 100J)