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 J52-J76)
1c Carmine Lake (J52). Mint N.H., radiant color with wide, well proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
2c Dull Rose (J53a). Mint N.H., lovely shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1990 and 2002 P.F. certificates
2c Vermilion (J53b). Mint N.H., bright color, wide margins and almost perfect centering, Extremely Fine, with 1991 and 2003 P.F. certificates, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $520.00)
3c Carmine Lake (J54). Mint N.H., incredibly deep rich shade, proof-like impression, exceptionally well-centered for this challenging issueEXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT CARMINE LAKE PERF 10 POSTAGE DUE IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN THIS CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $4,450.00). Only one example has graded higher to date and only two others share this grade
5c Carmine Lake (J55). Mint N.H. with part imprint at right, deep rich color, almost mathematically perfect centering with extra wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp in every way, with 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $960.00), this is the highest grade awarded to date and no others share this grade
5c Dull Rose (J55a). Mint N.H., bright color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $200.00)
10c Carmine Rose (J56a). Mint N.H., wide margins and almost perfect centering, intense shade, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
30c Carmine Lake (J57). Mint N.H., wide margins with selvage at bottom, beautifully centered, wonderful deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1993 P.F. certificate
1c Rose (J59). Mint N.H., sheet margin with plate no. 5541 selvage at top, enormous margins at sides, post office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN INCALCULABLY 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 stamps were printed on unwatermarked paper for a brief time. Well-centered original-gum examples are exceedingly rare. This stamp was broken out of a plate block several years ago. The Extremely Fine Bureau imprint single from that block realized $16,000 in our 2006 Rarities of the World sale.
With 1988 P.F. certificate for plate block and 2003 P.F. certificate
2c Rose (J60). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, brilliant color, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
1c Dull Rose (J61). Mint N.H., brilliant deep color, perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $100.00)
2c Deep Claret (J62b). Mint N.H., radiant color, detailed impression on bright white paper with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $100.00 as 95, $295.00 as 98)
3c Carmine Rose (J63). Mint N.H. with top selvage, fabulous Jumbo margins and magnificent rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
5c Claret Brown (J64b). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem example of this sub-shade, ex Scarsdale, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
10c Deep Claret (J65b). Mint N.H., beautiful margins and essentially perfectly centered, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $335.00)
30c Carmine Rose (J66). Mint N.H. with plate no. 19883 selvage at left, radiant color on crisp paper, almost perfect centering, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
30c Deep Claret (J66a). Mint N.H., wide margins and excellent centering, striking deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
50c Carmine Rose (J67). Mint N.H., radiant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1996 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
50c Rose Red (J67a). Mint N.H., bright color, detailed impression, Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine example of this shade, with 2005 P.F. certificate
30c Carmine (J75). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins with mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS REMARKABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1930 30-CENT POSTAGE DUE ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 -- THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE TO DATE.
With 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $1,250.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date
50c Carmine (J76). Mint N.H., brilliant color, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate