Sale 1231 — The James P. Myerson Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 February, 2021
Category — Offices in China
2c on 1c Offices in China (K1). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex Dr. Killien and "Hanover", with 1990 and 1997 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,100.00), only one grades higher (at 98J) and five others share this grade
4c on 2c Offices in China (K2). Mint N.H., brilliant color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2018 P.S.A.G. certificate (Superb 98)
6c on 3c Offices in China (K3). Mint N.H., wide margins and perfectly centered, beautiful color on crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Cloudrest", with 2009 P.S.E. certificate showing bottom selvage (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00)
8c on 4c Offices in China (K4). Mint N.H., pretty shade, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2012 P.S.A.G. certificates (XF 90)
10c, 14c, 4c Offices in China (K5, K7, K18). Lightly hinged, rich colors, choice centering, Extremely Fine, each with 2010 or 2015 P.S.E. certificate, first two graded 95J and 90 respectively (total SMQ $345.00), last ungraded
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12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Mint N.H., vivid color on bright paper, as fresh as the day it was printed, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT ON 6-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,250.00). Only two grade higher (both 98J) and three others share this desirable grade. The Population Report number for Superb 98 has not changed since May 2012, and this is the first in this grade we have offered since December 2012.
16c on 8c Olive Green, Offices in China (K8a). Mint N.H., outstanding color which is bright and fresh, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 16-CENT ON 8-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE, WITH JUMBO CENTERED MARGINS, BRILLIANT COLOR, GORGEOUS PERFS AND GREAT OVERALL EYE APPEAL. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Dr. Killien and "Hanover". With 1992 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F., and no other P.F. graded stamp shares it. By way of comparison, only one 98J is in the P.S.E. Population Report, and only one grades higher (at 100). The highest grade awarded to the K8 basic shade is 98.
18c on 9c Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H., vivid color on bright paper, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED OF THE 18-CENT ON 9-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA.
With 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (Gem 100)
20c on 10c Offices in China (K10). Mint N.H., balanced margins, incredibly fresh and bright as if it just came off of the press, vivid color, Extremely Fine, strikingly beautiful example, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $425.00)
24c on 12c Offices in China (K11). Mint N.H., deep rich color, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only one grades higher (at 98) and one other shares this desirable grade, this is the first in this grade we have offered
30c on 15c Offices in China (K12). Mint N.H., deep rich color, perfect centering with unusually wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Beverly Hills". With 2007 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $3,250.00). The only example to achieve this grade and only two grade higher (one at 100 and one at 100J which realized $9,000 hammer in our "Hanover" sale)
40c on 20c Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 40-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY TO ACHIEVE IT.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ at this grade, SMQ $4,000.00 as 98). The highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it
60c on 30c Offices in China (K14). Mint N.H., vivid color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,800.00), only three grade higher
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND SHARED BY ONLY ONE OTHER.
With 2002 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $13,500.00). The highest grade awarded and shared by only one other. This is the first in this grade we have offered.
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China (K16). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 ON $1.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS TO OBTAIN IN THE HIGHER GRADES.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $10,200.00). The highest grade awarded and only one other stamp shares this grade. Only two others have graded higher than 90 (both 90J).
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, clear second surcharge significantly displaced from the otherVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE $2.00 ON $1.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
The Offices in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing. Many are off-center.
With 2015 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
2c on 1c Offices in China (K17). Mint N.H., radiant color and crisp impression on bright paper, beautifully centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1922 OFFICES IN CHINE ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,250.00). The highest grade awarded and only eight others share this grade.