Sale 953 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 25-28 March, 2008
Category — 1913-15 Panama-Pacific Issue (Scott 397-404)
1c-10c Panama-Pacific (397-400A). No. 400A slightly disturbed original gum, others Mint N.H., all well-centered and attractive, Extremely Fine lot, 5c with photocopy of 1997 P.F. certificate for block of four (bottom left stamp)
1c Panama-Pacific (397). Perfect centering, wide even margins, rich color, San Francisco precancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $420.00), only two have graded higher to date and only four others share this grade
2c Panama-Pacific (398). Mint N.H., radiant color, wide balanced margins, trivial natural inclusion not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $455.00)
2c Panama-Pacific (398). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6310 block of six, well-centered, Very Fine and choice
5c Panama-Pacific (399). Mint N.H., well-balanced margins, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate
1c-10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 12, 10 (399-400, 401-402). 1c faintly hinged, others Mint N.H., choice margins and centering, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE YELLOW PANAMA-PACIFIC.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,350.00)
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, post-office fresh paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE YELLOW PANAMA-PACIFIC.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,350.00)
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H., intense shade, selvage at bottom, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $780.00)
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 6135 selvage, choice wide margins, beautiful glowing color, Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate for vertical pair (bottom stamp)
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Vivid color, perfect centering with wide margins, neat San Francisco precancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $270.00), only one has graded higher to date and only three others share this grade
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H. block of four, vivid color, Fine
10c Orange, Panama-Pacific (400A). Single small hinge mark, vibrant color on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $590.00)
10c Orange, Panama-Pacific (400A). Lightly hinged, wide and well-balanced Jumbo margins, magnificent color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $330.00 for 90, $590.00 for 95)
10c Orange, Panama-Pacific (400A). Lightly hinged, deep rich color and detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $255.00)
10c Orange, Panama-Pacific (400A). Almost perfectly centered with wide even margins, vivid color on bright white paper, well-struck "San Francisco Cal." oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $680.00 as 98), only one has graded higher to date and this is the only example to achieve this grade
1c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (401). Mint N.H., magnificent margins and centering, wonderful color, Extremely Fine Gem
1c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (401). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $170.00)
2c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (402). Mint N.H., lovely bright pastel color, Very Fine and choice, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate for block
5c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (403). Mint N.H. block of four, wide margins, beautifully centered, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, a rare multiple in this superb condition, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
5c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (403). Mint N.H., deep color, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $680.00)
5c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (403). Lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $510.00)
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with equally wide margins all around, vibrant color and proof-like impression, post-office fresh paper and gumEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE FINEST GRADED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT PANAMA-PACIFIC PERF 10, HAVING ACHIEVED A GEM 100 GRADE FROM P.S.E.--NO OTHER SCOTT 404 HAS REACHED THE PERFECT 100-POINT GRADE.
The Panama-Pacific Exposition commemorative set was originally released in late 1912 and officially placed on sale on January 1, 1913, two years in advance of the actual exposition (the stamps are inscribed "San Francisco 1915"). The stamps were first issued with 12-gauge perforations. When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing changed to 10-gauge perforations in late 1914, sheets of Panama-Pacific stamps were issued in Perf 10 form. This modification was not officially announced or widely recognized by stamp collectors; therefore, the Perf 10 stamps are much scarcer than their Perf 12 counterparts.
The 10c design depicts the "Discovery of San Francisco Bay," based on a painting by Charles F. Mathews (Johl, Vol. 1, pp.69-70). It depicts the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola and his crew with the Muwekma Ohlone natives. In 1769 Portola led the first expedition and observed San Francisco harbor. In 1775 Juan Manuel de Ayala, captain of the Spanish ship San Carlos, was the first to enter the harbor, which led to the establishment of the earliest European settlements.
The 10c was first issued in the standard Yellow used for the regular-issue 10c stamp, but the design was difficult to see in this shade (Scott 400). The stamp color was changed to a darker Orange and issued with 12-gauge perforations (Scott 400A). When the 10-gauge perforations were introduced, a much smaller supply was issued as Orange Perf 10 (Scott 404).
The 10c Panama-Pacific Perf 10, Scott 404, typically comes poorly centered. It is also plagued by short perfs--for a reason. The wide-spaced 10-gauge perfs were introduced by postal officials to strengthen the sheets during handling. Postmasters complained that the Perf 12 sheets broke apart too easily, but the move to Perf 10 went too far, and postmasters then started complaining that they were tearing apart stamps while trying to separate them (Perf 11 ended up being just right). Scott 404 is also much scarcer than its Perf 12 counterparts, Scott 400 and 400A. Only two panes of 70 are reported to survive, and singles bought by collectors were almost invariably hinged in albums. A few statistics from the PSE Population Report (2/25/2008) show the relative scarcity of Scott 400, 400A and 404 in high grades (Mint NH). Looking at 98+ grades, Scott 404 represents less than 20% of the total number of 10¢ Panama- Pacific stamps (6 out of 31). In Gem 100, there is only one Scott 404 (and one 400A in 100J).
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ in any grade higher than Superb 98).
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Mint N.H., magnificent color and centering, reperfed at right, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2007 P.F. certificate
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Mint N.H., strong color choice centering, reperfed at bottom, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Lightly hinged, gorgeous color on post-office fresh paper, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT PERF 10 PANAMA-PACIFIC.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,900.00 as 95, $3,550.00 as 98)
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Lightly hinged, nicely balanced margins of near Jumbo proportions, magnificent glowing color, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Choice margins and strong rich color, Fine and quite attractive, with 2007 P.F. certificate
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Lightly hinged, deep rich color, small natural gum crease, otherwise Fine
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Block of four, top pair small h.r., pencil numbers on back of bottom right stamp, Fine