Sale 1227 — Outstanding United States Stamps and Gold Coins
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 19-23 October, 2020
Category — The Dr. Bernard S. Yudowitz Collection of Plate Blocks (Scott 11A-229)
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Positions 29-30/39-40L3, block of four from Plate 3, part disturbed original gum, large margins to just in including right sheet margin, distinct doubling of framelines at left of left stamps, deep rich color, tiny 1mm scissors cut at bottom of top left stamp, which also has a small natural inclusion, Fine-Very Fine, Scott value as original gum
1c Blue, Ty. V (24). Positions 31-32/41-42/51-52/61-62L10, block of eight from the left pane of Plate 10 with “Toppan, Carpenter & Co. BANK NOTE ENGRAVERS. Phila. New York, Boston & Cincinnati" imprint and “No. 10.P.” plate number, original gum, lightly hinged except top right stamp small disturbance spot, rich color, faint crease affects top pair, few expertly reinforced perf separations at top, still Very Fine and scarce plate block, with 1989 P.F. certificate
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (26). Right pane block of eight with “Toppan, Carpenter & Co. BANK NOTE ENGRAVERS. Phila. New York, Boston & Cincinnati" imprint and “No. 25 P.” plate number, original gum, perf separations including some reinforced, small nick at bottom and small internal perf flaw at top, otherwise Fine, a very scarce plate block from Plate 25
5c Brown, Ty. II (30A). Right selvage block of nine with most of imprint and plate no. 2, original gum, center stamp Mint N.H., others h.r. with few adherences, bright color, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, few faults mostly confined to bottom stampsFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF NINE OF THE 1860 5-CENT BROWN TYPE II. UNTIL THE APPEARANCE OF THE FRELINGHUYSEN BLOCK OF 20 IN 2012, THIS WAS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE. THIS IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED PLATE BLOCKS OF THIS ISSUE.
The 5c Brown Type II is far rarer in multiples than the Orange Brown. Unlike the 1861 Orange Brown, the earlier printing in Brown was not left in Southern post offices when the issue was demonetized in August 1861. Prior to the emergence of the block of 20 in the long-hidden Frelinghuysen collection, the largest recorded multiple was a block of nine (two known, one ex Klein and Gross with a portion of the imprint and plate number, the other offered here). A block of six with imprint and part plate number is also known.
Ex Worthington, Silsby and Curtis. Scott value $37,250.00 as block of four, strip of three and pair with no premium for the Mint N.H. stamp or the imprint and plate number position.
3c Orange Red, First Design (56 var). Bottom imprint and plate no. 2 block of twelve, original gum, h.r., radiant color which is distinctly different than the primary Brown Rose color, few perf separations sensibly reinforcedVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 1861 3-CENT FIRST DESIGN IN THE ORANGE RED TRIAL COLOR.
The Chapin census lists one plate block of twelve, which is the largest recorded plate number multiple. We assume that the Chapin census was limited to the Brown Rose 3c First Design, Scott 56. Plate number blocks of any 3c First Design shade are exceedingly rare.
Ex Hall. With 1992 P.F. certificate. Scott value as plate block of eight (any shade) and four singles
3c Rose (65). Bottom imprint and plate no. 13 block of eight, original gum, two at bottom lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL PLATE BLOCK OF THE 3-CENT ROSE 1861 ISSUE.
With 1994 P.F. certificate stating Mint N.H. Scott value as hinged
3c Rose (65). Block of four with imprint and "No. 34 Plate" selvage at bottom, original gum, bottom right stamp small h.r., few may be Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, Fine-Very Fine, Scott value with no premium for the imprint and plate number
3c Ultramarine (114). Top right corner margin block of 20 comprising the top two rows of the sheet, natural s.e. at left with almost full arrow, imprint and plate no. 26 at top, disturbed original gum, fresh color but some overall toning from gum, top left stamp small tear in selvage onlyFINE. AN ATTRACTIVE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF 20 OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Scott value $10,525.00 as a plate block, two blocks of four and a pair.
2c Brown (157). Top selvage block of four with "No. 164" plate number, original gum, lightly hinged except bottom right stamp Mint N.H., top stamps horizontal crease, bottom right stamp some toned spots on back not mentioned on certificate, Fine appearance, scarce with the plate number, with 2007 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged block of four with no premium for the position
3c Green (158). Bottom imprint and plate no. 292 block of 20, comprising the two bottom rows of the pane with selvage at left and half-arrow at right, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, reinforced perf separations including throughout the horizontal row between the stampsVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 1873 3-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
The Chapin census records only seven plate blocks of Scott 158.
Ex Ackerman, Barden and Curtis. Scott value as plate block, block of four and pair
6c Dull Pink (159). Top imprint, plate no. 18 and part arrow block of fourteen, disturbed original gum, h.r., brilliant color, sealed tear affects plate number selvage and top two stamps at rightFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE TOP POSITION IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF FOURTEEN OF THE 1873 6-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE CO. ISSUE.
The Chapin census records only nine plate blocks of Scott 159, including the unique example in the Brown Rose shade. With 1980 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (161). Bottom imprint and plate no. 25 block of 12, unused (no gum), deep rich color, attractive centering and margins, position 9 with small surface scuffsFINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1873 10-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED.
There are three recorded plate blocks of the 10c Continental Issue. Two are bottom position plate blocks. One is a top position, recently offered in our William H. Gross auction. The other bottom and the unique top plate block come from the pane of 100 from the Col. Green collection, which was last offered intact in our 1974 Rarities of the World sale.
Chapin census no. 424. Ex Col. Green, Wampler and Curtis. Scott value $21,500.00 as original gum
2c Vermilion (178). Bottom imprint and plate no. 162 block of fourteen, mount glazed original gum, brilliant color, selvage has minor bend and wrinkles, few minor perf separationsFINE-VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED PLATE BLOCKS OF THE 1875 2-CENT VERMILION CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
The Chapin census records three intact plate blocks of the 1875 2c Vermilion, excluding this block of fourteen. Only one larger multiple is known -- the only recorded top position plate block (of 20) recently offered in our William H. Gross auction
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Top imprint and plate no. 336 block of twelve, original gum, eight stamps Mint N.H., others barely hinged, radiant color, choice centering, position 4 tiny scuffVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE AND BEAUTIFUL PLATE BLOCK OF THE ONE-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WITH MANY STAMPS MINT NEVER-HINGED.
As an indicator of rarity, this is the only example we have offered since 1994 and in all of our Rarities sales. Ex Curtis. With 2003 P.S.E. certificate. Scott value as hinged plate block of ten and pair
3c Green (184). Bottom imprint and plate no. 265 block of twelve, original gum, some bottom stamps with Jumbo margins, positions 2 and 8 creased (hinge reinforcement there as well) and hinge reinforced between positions 4 and 5, some overall toning, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, attractive and scarce plate block
15c Red Orange (189). Bottom left corner imprint and plate no. 31 block of 20 with half arrow at right, more than half the stamps Mint N.H., h.r. in selvage reinforcing a few perf separations, vibrant color, some light toning mostly confined to selvageFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER LARGE MULTIPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING -- COMPRISING THE BOTTOM TWO ROWS OF THE LEFT PANE.
This is the largest plate number multiple we have offered since our 1984 Rarities of the World sale. Scott value as hinged plate block, block of four and two pairs
1c Gray Blue (206). Top selvage block of six with plate no. 504 and letter "D", unused (traces of original gum), rich color, Very Fine, rare with the plate number
3c Blue Green (207). Top imprint and plate no. 396 block of 12, half arrow at left, original gum, stamps Mint N.H., narrow h.r. in selvage reinforcing some perf separations, bright color, a few perf separations between top right stamps, Fine-Very Fine, ex Curtis, Scott value as hinged plate block
10c Brown (209). Top imprint, plate no. 551 and letter "M" block of fourteen, part arrow at left, mount glazed original gum, radiant color and crisp impression, Very Fine centering, a rare large plate block, apart from a pane of 100 offered in our 2002 Rarities sale, this is the largest plate block multiple we have offered
2c Red Brown (210). Top imprint and plate no. 471 block of 12, original gum, h.r. on two left and four right stamps as well as between stamps and selvage in those areas (reinforces few perf separations), other six stamps Mint N.H., rich color, couple minor internal perf flaws between position 1 and selvage, appears Very Fine
4c Blue Green (211). Top imprint, plate no. 542 and letter "L" block of 10, unused (regummed), deep rich color, selvage slightly reduced at topFINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Incredibly, this is the only plate block of Scott 211 in any size or gum condition we have offered since at least 1993 and in our Rarities sales since 1964.
Ex Byers. Scott value as original-gum plate block $6,500.00
1c Ultramarine (212). Top imprint, plate no. 664 and letter "J J" block of 12 with half arrow at left, original gum, h.r. reinforces perf separations throughout last vertical row at right, also few small h.r. in other places, few stamps Mint N.H., position 9 small tear at bottom, small thin and gum soak between positions 10 and 11, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, a surprisingly scarce plate block
2c Green (213). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 663 and letter "I I" block of ten, intact perfs at right, bright colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT GREEN 1887 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
Top plate blocks of this issue are exceedingly scarce
3c Vermilion (214). Top imprint and plate no. 421 block of fourtee with part arrow at left, 12 stamps Mint N.H., evidence of perf strengthening between positions 12 and 13 would likely result in a previously hinged call for those two stamps, vivid color, Fine-Very Fine, Scott value as hinged plate block of 10 and four Mint N.H. singles
4c Carmine (215). Top imprint, plate no. 546 and letter "L" block of ten, original gum, few Mint N.H., others lightly hinged, deep rich color and detailed impression, few natural gum creases at left, inclusion in bottom left stamp, Fine-Very Fine, a scarce top position plate block
5c Indigo (216). Top imprint, plate no. 539 and letter "K" block of fourteen, part arrow at left, mount glazed original gum, rich color and proof-like impression, thin spot in sheet margin at top left, perf separations (essentially split between stamps), Extremely Fine centering, a scarce top position plate block, Scott value as intact plate block $9,150.00
30c Orange Brown (217). Block of ten with sheet margin showing part imprint and full plate no. 405, part arrow at left, mount glazed original gum, well-centered, slight diagonal handling crease in positions 1, 2 and 6 at left, otherwise Very Fine to Extremely Fine, ex Todd, Scott value as two blocks of four and pair with no premium for the better position $3,375.00
1c Dull Blue (219). Bottom imprint, plate no. 90 and letter "Q" block of ten, original gum which is slightly disturbed on a few stamps, attractive centering, thin spot in selvage at left, still Very Fine
2c Lake (219D). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 9 and letter "B" block of ten, deep rich color in the true Lake shadeFRESH AND FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT LAKE 1890 ISSUE.
Ex Hall. Scott value $5,000.00 as Mint N.H. singles
2c Lake, Imperforate (219Da). Bottom imprint, plate no. 6 and letter "B" block of twelve, unused (no gum), rich color, large margins, Extremely Fine, ex Hall, Scott value as plate block of eight and two pairs
2c Lake, Imperforate (219Da). Bottom imprint, plate no. 8 and letter "B" block of twelve, unused (no gum), rich color, large margins, Extremely Fine, ex Hall, Scott value as plate block of eight and two pairs
2c Carmine (220). Bottom imprint, plate no. 293 and "E 1" block of twelve, original gum, h.r. at top, brilliant color on bright paper, few toned spots mostly on back, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, Very Fine appearance
3c Purple (221). Top imprint and plate no. 72 block of ten, original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, few minor internal perf separations, fresh and Very Fine, an elusive top plate block in this choice condition, we have offered only four other top position plate blocks since 1993, ex Todd and Curtis
6c Brown Red (224). Top imprint and plate no. 23 block of twelve, original gum with some mount glazing, deep rich color, few sensibly reinforced perf separations at top in selvage, Very Fine and attractive plate block, Scott value as plate block of ten and singles
8c Lilac (225). Bottom imprint, plate no. 266 and letter "Z Z" block of 21 with half arrow at right, plate block of 10 Mint N.H., h.r. in top row and in bottom right corner selvage which extends into the perfs adjoining the plate number selvage but could be skillfully separated to maintain the Mint N.H. plate block, rich color, selvage wrinkles in plate block, Fine, a very scarce issue as a Mint N.H. plate block, we have offered only two others since 2003, Scott value adding to the plate block price seven Mint N.H. singles and four hinged singles
15c Indigo (227). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 22 block of ten, incredibly deep color and detailed impressionFRESH AND FINE-VERY FINE. THE 15-CENT 1890 ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN AS A MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK. WE HAVE OFFERED ONLY ONE OTHER SINCE AT LEAST 1993.
This was the only Mint N.H. example of this plate block contained in Power Search until we sold the incomparable Dr. Johnson specialized collection of these issues in 2019.
Ex Curtis
15c Indigo, Imperforate (227a). Bottom imprint and plate no. 22 block of twelve, large margins to clear, rich color, Mint N.H. except where minor repair at right with part of design painted in on top right stampVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF TWO KNOWN PLATE BLOCKS OF THE 1890 15-CENT INDIGO IMPERFORATE.
The other example, also from the bottom position, was offered in our Sale 1162 and is ex Todd
90c Orange (229). Bottom imprint and plate no. 25 block of ten, original gum, lightly hinged with couple tiny hinge slivers at edges to prevent separation, vibrant color, choice margins and centering, bottom left stamp small thin at leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
Ex Curtis. With clear 1988 P.F. certificate