Sale 1199 — Gem-Quality United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 1-2 May, 2019
Category — 1916-17 Issues (Scott 462-518)
5c Carmine, Error (467). Brilliant color, attractive centering and margins, unobtrusive circular datestamp cancel, fresh and Very Fine, a very rare sound and centered used example of this popular error, with 2000 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $1,500.00), collectors waiting for a superb used example of the 5c Perf 10 error will have a long wait -- the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is a single stamp in VF-XF 85 -- this stamp is one of only two in the VF 80 grade
8c Olive Green (470). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 8-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMAKED ISSUE.
With 1990 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). Only two stamps have exceeded this grade (both 98J)
50c Light Violet (477). Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, brilliant color on fresh paper, bold purple New York registry oval cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT PERF 10 FRANKLIN ISSUE ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADED AND ONLY EXAMPLE AT THIS GRADE.
The 50c on unwatermarked paper with 10-gauge perforations was available in post-office stocks for a very brief period in 1917, because it was released shortly before the introduction of the new Perf 11 series. Its predecessors -- the 50c Perf 12 on single and double-line watermarked paper (Scott 421 and 422), and the Perf 10 on single-line watermarked paper (Scott 440) -- were available for much longer periods of time.
With 1995 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,600.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to a used Scott 477, with none equal. There is not even an unused Scott 477 graded 98J or higher in the P.S.E. Population Report
3c Violet, Ty. II, Imperforate (484). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, massive margins showing large portions of all ten surrounding stamps, fresh color and paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; blocks unpriced in SMQ)
2c Carmine, Ty. III, Coil (488). Mint N.H. pair, brilliant color, crisp impression, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $375.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only six others, in our opinion this is undercatalogued -- it has always brought over its SMQ value
3c Violet, Ty. I, Coil (489). Mint N.H. pair, glowing color on bright paper, wide and unusually balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Scarsdale", with 2000 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $375.00), this is the highest grade awarded
5c Blue, Coil (496). Mint N.H. joint line pair, rich color and detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $625.00), only one has graded higher (at 100, we have never offered it)
10c Orange Yellow, Coil (497). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering, fiery color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $750.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (498f). Position W5, showing guide line at bottom and right, Mint N.H., deep color, Fine-Very Fine, with 2011 A.P.S. certificate
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Jumbo margins and exceptional centering, brilliant color in the distinctive Type Ia shade, neat oval duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1988, 2002 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00), only one used example grades higher (at 98) and only one other shares this grade
11c Light Green (511). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, stunning color, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,100.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others
20c Light Ultramarine (515). Mint N.H. with narrow bottom selvage, Jumbo margins and near perfect centering, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00), only three Mint N.H. stamps grade higher and five share this lofty grade
20c Light Ultramarine (515). Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, rich color, Brooklyn N.Y. precancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge and stunning stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $850.00 as 100), this is the sole used example of Scott 515 to achieve this ultimate grade (there is also one Mint N.H. graded 100J, offered in our 2016 sale of the "Hanover" collection)
50c Red Violet (517). Mint N.H., massive margins and mathematically perfect centering, brilliant color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1917 ISSUE, SCOTT 517, HAS ACHIEVED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO FROM P.S.E.
With 2003 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $3,250.00 as 100). This is the highest grade possible on the grading chart and it is shared by no others
50c Red Violet (517). Mint N.H., exceptional centering with wide margins, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,300.00)
50c Red Violet (517). Exceptional centering with wide margins, pretty pastel color, light circular datestamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $350.00), only four grade higher (all at 98J) and one other shares this grade
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Mint N.H. with plate no. A 5782 top selvage, massive Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, deep rich color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS ASTONISHING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1917 ISSUE, SCOTT 518, HAS RECEIVED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO FROM P.S.E. THE ESSENCE OF PERFECTION.
Plate 5782 was the only plate prepared for each of the $1.00 Franklin issues (Scott 423, 460, 478 and 518). None of the other $1.00 Franklin issues has been graded above 98J in Mint N.H. condition.
Ex "Westchester". With 1989 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $4,500.00 as 100). This is one of only two at this highest of grades and the first Gem 100 of any kind we have offered in our auctions.
$1.00 Deep Brown (518b). Rich color in the true Deep Brown shade, detailed impression, wide margins, bold strike of Sandusky O. oval registry cancel, Very Fine, according to Johl a small number of stamps were printed in this distinctive shade early in the issue, during the course of the six years that the stamp was current all other printings were made in the Violet Brown shade, used examples of this shade are scarce, with 2000 P.F. certificate