Sale 1367 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 9-11 December, 2025
Category — Special Delivery, Registration, Postage Due, Offices in China
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Slightly disturbed original gum, bright color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins rarely seen on this issue, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp in outstanding condition, ex Drucker, with 1984 P.F. certificate as original gum, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate as sightly disturbed original gum (DOG, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), SMQ $2,100 as normal hinged
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Original gum, single hinge mark, rich color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85 Jumbo)
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Mint N.H., brilliant color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2025 P.F. and 2025 P.S.E. certificates (latter XF 90), only nine grade higher (highest is 95J)
(Image Magnifier)10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Original gum, lightly hinged,, vibrant color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95)
(Image Magnifier)10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Wide margins and essentially perfect centering, radiant color, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal used example, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
(Image Magnifier)10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2020 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
10c Gray Violet, Special Delivery (E11b). Mint N.H., pretty shade on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only two grade higher (at 98J and 100J) and two others share this grade
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10c Gray Violet, Special Delivery, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Between (E15c). Bottom left plate no. 19283 block of four containing two error pairs, original gum, top pair Mint N.H., bottom pair h.r. where few perf separations are strengthened, bright color, Very Fine, with 2012 P.F. certificate, Scott Errors catalog value for plate block is $1,100
(Image Magnifier)10c Ultramarine, Registration (F1). Mint N.H. with plate no. 5729 at right, brilliant color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Scarsdale", with 1998 P.F. certificate
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10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J12). Unused (no gum), rich color, thin spot, Very Fine appearance, it has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public, with 1959 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Unused (no gum), rich color, proof-like impression, tiny filled thin spot (not noted on certificate), Fine appearance, it has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public, with 2003 P.F. certificate
(Image Magnifier)50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Part original gum, rich color, two small thin spots, Fine appearance, it has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public, with 2003 P.F. certificate
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30c Red Brown (J20). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 332 block of twelve with half arrow at left, deep rich color, choice centering throughout, bright and fresh
VERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 30-CENT 1884 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE, SCOTT J20.
Scott value as Mint N.H. plate block of ten and two singles.
(Image Magnifier)30c Bright Claret (J27). Mint N.H., rich color, Very Fine, with 1997, 2005 and 2024 P.S.E. certificates
50c Deep Claret (J44). Mint N.H., bright shade, detailed impression, Fine, with 2023 P.F. certificate
U.S. Postal Agency, Shanghai. Three items, first is 5c Chocolate (223) tied on piece with China, Chefoo, 1893, 1c Red (2) with cancels of both Chefoo and U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai; second is 10c tied on piece and used with same Chefoo stamp with complete strike of U.S. Postal Agency duplex and part strike of the Chefoo circular datestamp; third item is 30c Black (228) cancelled by U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai circular datestamp, few faults, Fine-Very Fine and scarce group, second item is ex Tows
$1.00 on 50c Light Violet, Offices in China (K15). Top top plate no. 7042 block of six, original gum, top center stamp hinged, bottom stamps appear Mint N.H. but at one time had tissue adhering to the gum, top left and right stamps also appear Mint N.H. with band of natural crackly and slightly thicker gum, brilliant color
FINE. THE $1.00 ON 50-CENT IS THE RAREST PLATE BLOCK OF THE OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE. THE EXAMPLE OFFERED HERE IS ONLY THE SECOND TOP PLATE BLOCK WE HAVE OFFERED IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
The $1.00 value is the rarest of the Offices in China overprints, and in plate block form it is far rarer than any of the others (it has a Scott value of $17,500 vs. $7,000 for the $2.00 surcharge). We have offered only two top plate blocks since keeping computerized records 30 years ago.
Ex Tows and "Magnolia".
$2.00 on $1.00 Violet Brown, Offices in China (K16). Block of four with bottom selvage with platen no. 5782 at left, original gum, deep rich color, Fine-Very Fine, Scott value without premium for the better position
(Image Magnifier)4c on 2c Carmine, Offices in China (K18). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only fur grade higher (all at 95J)
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