Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue, 1909 Commemoratives (Scott 357-369)
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., wide and balanced margins, deep color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H. block of four with wide top selvage, deep shade on nicely blued paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as singles
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 4889 block of six with narrow selvage, deep rich color and nicely blued paper, top left stamp unusual indentation, still Very Fine
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Block of four with 2mm spacing, h.r., intense shade, well-balanced margins, Very Fine
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Bottom imprint, plate no. 5016 and star block of six, lightly hinged, bright color on nicely blued paper, nibbed perf at upper left, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). With wide selvage at right, rich color on deeply blued paper, particularly evident with the attached selvage, inclusion (or something) affecting one perf at top, light corner crease in selvage at right, otherwise Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Block of four, lightly hinged, rich color on deeply blued paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND PERFECTLY CENTERED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Considering the quality of the stamps in this block, especially the one at bottom right, it is a small miracle that this block has not been broken to feed demand for quality singles.
With 2005 P.F. certificate.
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Top imprint and plate no. 4927 block of six, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on nicely blued paper, well-balanced margins throughout, few minor perf separations delicately reinforcedVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED PLATE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN, AND THIS IS AMONG THE FINEST.
Lewis Kaufman records only five plate blocks, including four from the top position and one from the left. The plate block here was offered in our 1993 Rarities sale, and apart from two examples contained in the MLG collection (top and side), it is the only example we have sold since keeping computerized records. A pane of 100 is also known, with imprint and plate numbers at top and right.
With 1964 P.F. certificate.
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Rich color and proof-like impression, characteristic strong watermarkFRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off center to some extent.
With 1971 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Rich color, h.r. and small backstamp, Fine example of the rarest regularly-issued Bluish Paper stamp, exceeded in rarity only by the 4c and 8c values that were released by the government, with 1989 P.S.E. certificate
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Lightly hinged, rich color on deeply blued paper, outstanding centeringEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP AND DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THIS CHOICE QUALITY.
With 1985 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90). As a point of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only two examples at 90 or better
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Block of six, lightly hinged, brilliant color on nicely blued paper, well-proportioned margins throughoutVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 6-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER, WITH CHOICE CENTERING.
With 1983 and 1988 P.F. certificates
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Deep rich color on nicely blued paper, wide margins and well-centered for this difficult stampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives.
Ex Clifford Cole. Small "HFC" backstamp (H. F. Colman). With 1977 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vivid color on unmistakable blued paper, attractive centering, tiny corner perf crease at top right (could be shortened to eliminate the negligible flaw), still Very Fine
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Lightly hinged, rich color, nicely centered with wide margins, fresh and Very Fine, small "HFC" backstamp (H. F. Colman)
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Block of four, lightly hinged, deep rich color on nicely blued paper, each stamp almost perfectly centered with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LIGHTLY-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 13-CENT BLUISH PAPER. PROBABLY THE FINEST BLOCK IN EXISTENCE.
The use of Bluish paper was an experiment to remedy the problem of paper shrinkage. Because most Bluish Paper stamps are difficult to find in centered, lightly-hinged condition, the majority of high-quality multiples have been broken to satisfy collector demand. The survival of this block during the heyday of blockbusting is remarkable.
With 1964 and 2001 P.F. certificates
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Rich color on deeply blued paper, unobtrusive cancel at lower left leaves entire design clearly visibleVERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., bright color, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH.
With 1970 and 2001 P.F. certificates
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Block of four, lightly hinged, bright shade, remarkably fresh and intactA FINE AND FRESH BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 15-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
With 2000 P.S.E. and 2003 P.F. certificates
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Right imprint and plate no. 4954 block of six with wide selvage, center stamps Mint N.H., other four lightly hinged, strong color on deeply blued paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A PHENOMENAL PLATE BLOCK OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER, WITH TWO MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.
This issue is often found off center. The plate block offered here is far better centered than usual, and has far wider selvage than usual.
With 1975 P.F. certificate
2c 1909 Commemoratives (367-368, 370-373). Imprint and plate no. blocks of six, Nos. 368, 370 and 373 Mint N.H., large margins to clear Fine-Very Fine, first with backstamp in bottom selvage
2c Lincoln, Bluish (369). Wide top imprint, solid star and plate no. 4976 block of six, lightly hinged, rich color on nicely blued paper, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, Fine