Sale 972 — The Laila Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 27-28 April, 2009
Category — 1916-17 Issues (Scott 462-480)
5c Carmine, Error (467). Single error in block of nine, top and bottom center stamps lightly hinged, error and other 2c stamps Mint N.H., bright and fresh, natural s.e. at top, Very Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
6c Red Orange (468). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, barest trace of oxidation, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1996 P.S.E. certificate for block
8c Olive Green (470). Mint N.H., pretty pastel color, wide margins, nearly perfect centering, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
10c Orange Yellow (472). Mint N.H., choice margins and well-centered, tiny hint of oxidation at top, Very Fine
15c Gray (475). Lightly hinged, essentially perfectly centered, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine, with copy of 1994 P.F. certificate for a block
30c Orange Red, Perf 10 (476A). Position 73 from Plate No. 6911, Mint N.H., very deep and intense color, sharp proof-like impression on bright white paper, well-centered for this difficult stampFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE VERY RARE 30-CENT PERF 10 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.
Despite the recent P.S.E. claim that a watermark has been "discovered" on one stamp from one of the 476A panes, the vestige of a watermark on the dandy roll used to make unwatermarked paper has been known to philatelists since 1918. The unwatermarked paper supplied to the Bureau for printings of sheets that were perforated gauge 10 and 11 is known to have had "ghost" watermarks where the brass pieces were removed. We currently side with the group of philatelists who believe that the 30c Perf 10 Unwatermarked, Scott 476A, was legitimately issued.
Ex Piedmont. With 1984 and 1998 P.F. certificates. Since the P.S.E. will no longer certify any 30c Perf 10 stamps as unwatermarked, this is offered subject only to a new P.F. certificate if one is desired.
50c Light Violet (477). Pretty shade on bright paper, unusually wide margins, Very Fine and choice, an attractive stamp, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Violet Black (478). Lightly hinged, rich color and proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Dark Blue (479). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1998 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Light Green (480). Mint N.H., pretty shade, fresh and Very Fine, with copy of 1985 P.F. certificate for pair
1c-20c 1916-17 Issue (462-466, 469, 471, 473-474, 476). 1c-4c and 7c-20c Mint N.H., 5c unused (regummed), 20c natural band of missing gum, rich colors, Very Fine, 1c and 11c with copies of P.F. certificates for multiples