Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — 1917-19 Issues (Scott 481-524)
1c Green, Imperforate (481). Pair, huge margins all around with portions of all adjoining stamps, neat slogan duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100)
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia, Imperforate, Schermack Ty. III Private Perforation (482A). Incredibly deep rich color on bright paper, full Schermack perforations on both sides, with additional margin to left of Schermack perforations, wide margins at top and bottom, centered to left as are virtually all known examples, perfect wavy-line machine cancel
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT TYPE Ia IMPERFORATE IN EXISTENCE. AN OUTSTANDING RARITY AND ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS OF 20TH CENTURY UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
Scott 482A, like its slightly more famous predecessor, Scott 314A, was issued imperforate by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and sold to the Schermack Company for use in its patented stamp-affixing machines. The Schermack "Sealer and Stamper" machine typically applied stamps one at a time, and, in most cases, the hyphen-hole perfs on one side would be cut off. Unlike Scott 314A, the release of imperforate sheets printed from the experimental Type Ia plates escaped the notice of contemporary collectors, and, therefore, has a very small survival rate.
Our census of Scott 482A, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/US/Scott/482A, records one used pair, three singles on separate covers and 42 used singles, for a total of 47 genuine stamps. A single with original gum and apparently imperforate has been certified as Scott 482A with perforations trimmed off, but most specialists agree it is a trimmed copy of Scott 500 (see Belasco book, p. 35).
Schermack Type III stamps are often cut into the design by the oblong perforations or miscut with one side of the perforated margin missing. This problem for collectors, which meant very little to contemporary users of the stamps, resulted from two consecutive events. First, the sheets were perforated with the Schermack holes, creating an opportunity for misalignment between the stamps. Second, when the strip of stamps was fed through the Schermack affixing machine, the cutting blade did not always align with the space between stamps. The stamp offered here is remarkable because the Schermack perforations just touch the design, and it was cut with margins well clear of the design and with Schermack perforations intact.
Census no. 482A-CAN-20. Ex Twigg-Smith, "Scarsdale" and "Hanover". 1989 and 2001 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. With 2009 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $135,000). This is the only Scott 482A at the 90 grade, with only the more heavily cancelled stamp offered in the following lot grading higher (at 90J).
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia, Imperforate, Schermack Ty. III Private Perforation (482A). Deep rich color on bright white paper, Jumbo margins, Schermack perforations completely intact at left showing small part of adjoining stamp at left, indistinct cancel leaves most of design clearly visible
EXTREMELY FINE. AT xf 90 JUMBO, THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE OF THIS MAJOR 20TH CENTURY RARITY IN THE P.S.E. POPULATION REPORT. IT IS ESPECIALLY RARE AND DESIRABLE WITH SUCH ENORMOUS MARGINS AROUND DESIGN.
Scott 482A, like its slightly more famous predecessor, Scott 314A, was issued imperforate by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and sold to the Mailometer Company for use in its patented stamp-affixing machines with the Schermack Type III perforations. The Schermack “Sealer and Stamper” machine typically applied stamps one at a time, and, in most cases, the Type III hyphen-hole perfs would be cut off on one side. Unlike Scott 314A, the release of imperforate sheets printed from the experimental Type Ia plates escaped the notice of contemporary collectors, and, therefore, Scott 482A has a very small survival rate.
Our census of Scott 482A, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/US/Scott/482A, records one used pair, three singles on separate covers and 42 used singles, for a total of 47 genuine stamps. A single with original gum and apparently imperforate has been certified as Scott 482A with perforations trimmed off, but most specialists agree it is a trimmed copy of Scott 500 (see Belasco book, p. 35).
Schermack Type III stamps are often cut into the design by the oblong perforations or miscut with one side of the perforated margin missing. This problem for collectors, which meant very little to contemporary users of the stamps, resulted from two consecutive events. First, the sheets were perforated with the Schermack holes, creating an opportunity for misalignment between the stamps. Second, when the strip of stamps was fed through the Schermack affixing machine, the cutting blade did not always align with the space between stamps.
Census no. 482A-CAN-22. Ex Drucker. With 1986 and 2003 P.F. certificates. With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $160,000). This is the highest graded Scott 482A in the P.S.E. Population Report and it is equaled by no others.
5c Carmine, Imperforate, Error (485). Mint N.H., massive margins including significant portions of all adjoining stamps, clearly showing the 2c denomination on five of the adjoining stamps, deep rich color
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT CARMINE ERROR OF COLOR IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE.
During the course of production of the normal 2c plate No. 7942, three positions were noted to be defective. The plate was returned to the siderographer, who burnished out the three positions and mistakenly re-entered them using a transfer roll for the 5c stamp. The error passed unnoticed and the sheets were issued to the public Perf 10, Imperforate and Perf 11 (Scott 467, 485 and 505). The imperforate is by far the rarest of the three.
Ex "Hanover". With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $40,000). This is the highest grade possible and only three others share this grade. This error is normally seen as part of a block. For the singles collector this represents a rare opportunity to acquire an example that also shows surrounding 2c stamps.
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Pair, original gum, lightly hinged, unusually choice centering, beautiful color
EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 491. DIFFICULT TO FIND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
With 1973, 2021 P.F. (XF 90) and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90). Only three pairs grade higher (at 95) and three share this grade.
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Original gum, vivid color, natural inclusion speck in bottom margin, Very Fine, with clear 2000 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown, Coil (495). Mint N.H. joint line pair, mathematically perfect centering and Jumbo margins which are extremely unusual on a rotary coil, pretty pastel color on fresh paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE 1917 4-CENT PERF 10 ROTARY COIL HAS ACHIEVED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO — THE ONLY EXAMPLE AT THIS HIGHEST OF GRADES.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98). This is the highest grade possible and the only Scott 495 joint line pair to achieve it. The next highest grade is a 98. There are no other Jumbo grades in the P.S.E. Population Report for a joint line pair of this issue above 85J. This is a truly astonishing joint line pair for the finest graded collection.
4c Orange Brown, Coil (495). Mint N.H. pair, remarkably well-centered, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98), only three pairs grade higher
4c Orange Brown, Coil (495). Pair, precise centering, rich color, bold wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only two used pairs grade higher and none share this grade
5c Blue, Coil, Small Holes (496a). Mint N.H. joint line pair, deep rich color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, according to a footnote in Scott, the small holes variety came about due to a switch from 384-subject plates to 432-subject plates, the perf hole size difference is very subtle but most apparent on pairs, with 2023 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
5c Blue, Coil, Small Holes (496a). Mint N.H. joint line pair, choice balanced margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85), SCV $750
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (498f). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering throughout
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT A.E.F. BOOKLET PANE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. QUITE LIKELY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). The next highest grade is an 80. SCV $1,700.
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (498f). Mint N.H., rich color, Very Fine and choice, two stamps at right with pencil on gum
2c Lake, Ty. I (499h). Mint N.H. but with tiny gum disturbance noted on certificate, so we are cataloguing it as hinged, Very Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Mint N.H. with top selvage, radiant color, fresh and Fine, with copy of 1970 P.F. certificate for block
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Brilliant color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
3c Light Violet, Ty. I (501). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only two grade higher
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 11 5-CENT ERROR, SCOTT 505.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95).
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. double error in block of twelve, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, an attractive block, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
5c Rose, Error (505). Double error in block of twelve, Mint N.H. except bottom middle 2c stamp hinged, light natural gum bend affects the bottom error, Fine
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. error in block of nine, lightly hinged at top on 2c stamp, brilliant color, Fine
11c Light Green, Perf 10 at Top (511a). Vertical pair, original gum, h.r., perf 10 at top of top stamp, rich color, bright paper, Very Fine, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate, Scott value as a single error
11c Light Green, Perf 10 at Top (511a). Original gum, h.r., bright color on fresh paper, Very Fine original-gum example of this perforation variety, with 1997 P.F. certificate
11c Light Green, Perf 10 at Bottom (511a). Bright shade, neat strike of "Winsted Conn." oval registry cancel, centered to bottom left, two small diagonal creases at left, light vertical wrinkling, Fine appearing used example of this perforation variety, with 1976 and 2008 P.F. certificates
11c Light Green, Perf 10 at Bottom (511a). Deep rich color, bold strike of oval cancel, fresh and Fine, a scarce sound used example of this perforation variety, with 1997 A.P.S. certificate
11c Light Green, Perf 10 at Bottom (511a). Bright color on crisp paper, neat "Minneapolis, Minn." precancel, natural paper wrinkle at left, small thin spot at top, Very Fine appearance
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98)
2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), SCV $900.00
2c Carmine (519). Detailed impression, large pre-use diagonal tear, tied by "New York N.Y. Hudson Term. Sta. 2 Nov. 24, 1:30 PM 1917" machine cancel on small piece, otherwise Very Fine, rare in used condition, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., bright color, vignette shifted slightly to bottom left, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
$5.00 Deep Green & Black (524). Mint N.H., intense colors and proof-like impressions, near perfect centering with balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1918 $5.00 BICOLOR ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F.
With 2023 P.F. certificate (Superb 98).