Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1929-34 Issues (Scott 681a-739b)
2c Lake, Ohio River (681a). Mint N.H. with natural gum skips, well-centered with wide margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, we knew this was a rarely offered color shade but we were surprised that this is the only example listed in Power Search, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ), the highest grade awarded and shared by only one other
2c Von Steuben, Imperforate (689a). Positions 82-83, horizontal pair, original gum, lightly hinged, large margins and bright color, Very Fine and choice, three panes of 100 were originally discovered, the first was returned and destroyed, some stamps from the second pane were used on covers and the remainder was returned, the third pane was discovered in Washington state and purchased intact at the post office, all known examples come from this third pane, ex Floyd, with 1998 P.F. certificate
50c Lilac (701). Mint N.H. bottom right plate no. 20554 block of four, bright color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine
2c Dark Lake & Black (703b). Position 19, Mint N.H., deep rich colors with frame printed in the distinctive Dark Lake shade, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT YORKTOWN IN THE DARK LAKE SHADE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
Ex Whitman. With 2002 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others.
Herbert Hoover. Complete set -1/2c-10c Washington Bicentennial (704-715) on Planty #7 multicolored printed cacheted business-size cover, typed address to "The Honorable Herbert Hoover" and signed Herbert Hoover, with "Washington D.C. Jan. 1 (1932)" circular datestamp on the first day of issue, Very Fine, few are known with the signature of then-President Herbert Hoover, a wonderful exhibit item
2c Lake, Olympic Winter Games (716a). Mint N.H. block of four, deep rich color in the distinctive Lake shade, bottom left stamp with gum skipFINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT 1932 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES ISSUE IN THE LAKE SHADE.
Power Search contains only one other example of this shade offered in our sales over the past 30 years and it subsequently failed extension at the P.F.
With 2002 P.S.E. certificate
5c Kosciuszko, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (734a). Mint N.H., rich color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, one pane of 100 was discovered, meaning only 50 pairs are known, of those some have faults and four are in the unique plate block of eight, this is one of only two Mint N.H. pairs we have offered since keeping computerized records and of the two this has far better centering, with 2018 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
3c Nicolet's Landing, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (739b). Mint N.H., wide and beautifully balanced margins, brilliant colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT NICOLET'S LANDING HORIZONTAL PAIR, IMPERFORATE VERTICALLY.
This is a rare error pair in Mint N.H. condition with such choice centering. Datz estimates only approximately 80 exist in total and this is easily the best-centered example we have offered.
Ex Myerson. With 1991 (for a block of four) and 2021 P.F. certificates.