Sale 1150 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 1 March, 2017
Category — 1904 Louisiana Purchase Issue (Scott 323-327)
1c Louisiana Purchase (323). Mint N.H., deep rich color, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, immaculately freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE HAS ACHIEVED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
Among the entire Louisiana Purchase Issue, only four Mint N.H. stamps have been graded Gem 100 -- the 1c offered here, the 2c offered in the following lot and two of the 10c.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the only example to achieve this exalted grade with none higher. The SMQ value is absurdly low -- only 50% more than a 98 grade in SMQ which has a population of ten. This unique Gem 100 is therefore ten-times as rare as the stamps graded 98 -- it last sold in 2008 for $15,000 hammer.
2c Louisiana Purchase (324). Mint N.H., vivid color on post-office fresh paper, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, exceptionally freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE HAS ACHIEVED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Among the entire Louisiana Purchase Issue, only four Mint N.H. stamps are graded Gem 100 -- the 1c offered in the previous lot, the 2c offered here and two of the 10c.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the only example to achieve this exalted grade with none higher. The SMQ value is absurdly low -- only 50% more than a 98 grade in SMQ for a population of six. This unique Gem 100 is therefore six-times as rare as the stamps graded 98 -- it last sold for $21,000 hammer in a 2008 auction. Scott Retail $65.00
3c Louisiana Purchase (325). Mint N.H., flawlessly centered with remarkably wide margins, rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT-NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $3,500.00). Only one stamp has graded higher (at 98J)
5c Louisiana Purchase (326). Mint N.H., enormous top sheet selvage with plate no. 2099, proof-like impression in intense Dark Blue shade, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY NO OTHERS.
According to Johl (Volume 1), the Louisiana Purchase stamps were not popular with the public or collectors when they were issued -- due to their larger size and unfavorable comparisons to the designs of the previous 1901 Pan-American stamps. As a result, fewer were saved.
Ex Whitman. With 1995 P.F. certificate for a block. With 1997 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $7,500.00). This is the only 5c Louisiana Purchase stamp to have achieved this grade in the P.S.E. Population Report, with none higher. The SMQ value is far too low for a unique population report number such as this -- it realized $16,000 hammer in our Whitman sale. Scott Retail $200.00
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,500.00). Only two have graded higher (at 100). This is the highest grade we have offered in our auctions
2c Louisiana Purchase, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (324a). Original gum, h.r. at top, brilliant color, wide margins, expertly reperfed at leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
It is believed that only one pane of 50 was found in the mid-west. This intact pane was originally in the Worthington collection. After the Worthington sale it was broken into pairs and blocks of four. Power Search shows very few of these rarities -- we have offered only two others since 1990, and this is the first we have offered since 2010.
With 2017 P.F. certificate
2c Louisiana Purchase (324). Tied by complete and bold "New York, N.Y. Apr. 30 6-PM 1904" First Day machine cancel on piece, Fine and rare first day use, only 24 covers are known, Scott Retail as complete cover $5,000.00
3c Louisiana Purchase (325). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, excellent centering and wide margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 2106 block of four, outstanding centering throughout, lovely rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
Plate blocks of this issue are very scarce in pristine Mint N.H. condition with choice centering. The extra wide top format of this plate block makes it particularly desirable.
With 2016 P.F. certificate
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H. extra wide top imprint and plate no. 2105 block of four, huge selvage, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, a fresh plate block