Sale 953 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 25-28 March, 2008
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 357-366)
1c Green, 2c Carmine, Bluish (357-358). Mint N.H., attractive margins, Fine-Very Fine, 2c with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., intense shade on deeply blued paper, gorgeous centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. A GREAT RARITY IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00). Only one has graded higher (at 100!), and only four others share this grade.
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Mint N.H., brilliant color on deeply blued paperA FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1990 P.S.E. and 2004 P.F. certificates. Light pencil notation on gum.
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Mint N.H., well-centered, rich colorFINE. A FRESH MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Faintly hinged if at all, beautiful strong color on clearly blued paper, Fine and attractive, with 1989 P.S.E. certificate (previously hinged) and 1997 P.F. certificate (never hinged), there is some indication that this stamp may have had a hinge mark skillfully removed, so to err on the side of caution we list the Scott Retail for hinged (Scott Mint N.H. is $4,250.00)
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). With wide top selvage, faintly hinged, choice large margins and virtually perfectly centered, incredibly fresh with deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. CERTAINLY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SURVIVING EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1992 P.F. certificate
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Lightly hinged, lovely fresh color, Fine and attractive, with 1973 A.P.S. and 1995 P.F. certificates
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Lightly hinged, deep rich color, reperfed top and left, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1966 which does not mention the reperfing
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Lightly hinged, perfectly centered, wonderful strong color on deeply blued paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vivid color which is unusually bright, deeply blued paper, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,900.00). Only three have graded higher to date.
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Disturbed original gum, vivid color and strongly blued paper, centered right, perfs just clear, Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Bright shade on nicely blued paper, light strike of Maine town framed handstamp, reperfed at right and small filled thin spotEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT BLUISH PAPER ON BLUISH PAPER. THERE ARE PROBABLY FEWER THAN 20 KNOWN USED COPIES IN EXISTENCE.
A search of the Philatelic Foundation records finds only eleven used singles and three used on cover.
With 1985 A.P.S. (not noting faults) and 2000 P.F. certificates
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Mint N.H., pretty shade on nicely blued paper, wide marginsFRESH AND FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Lightly hinged, incredibly wide margins of near Jumbo proportions for this stamp, magnificent color on nicely blued paper, two slightly shorter perfs (top right and left), otherwise an Extremely Fine Gem, still very desirable despite the trifling perf flaws, with 1975 P.F. certificate
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). H.r., nice margins and beautiful color, Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., bright color on nicely blued paper with long full perfs all around, choice centering with nicely proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT BLUISH PAPER. A SUPERB STAMP.
With 2002 P.S.E. and 2004 P.F. certificates
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., brilliant color on deeply blued paper,expertly reperfed at left, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1984 P.F. certificate for block and 2007 P.S.E. certificate as single
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Lightly hinged, beautiful wide margins and impeccable centering, lovely fresh colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT BLUISH PAPER ISSUE.
With 1958 P.F. certificate
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Lightly hinged, nice margins and exceptional centering, lovely bright color on clearly blued paper, Very Fine, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate