Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008
Category — 1917-23 Issues (Scott 498-524)
1c-50c 1917-19 Issue (498-499, 501-504, 506, 508-517). Mint N.H., deep rich colors, many with unusually choice centering, 5c small thin spot, otherwise Very Fine-Extremely Fine, five with certificates
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at top, radiant color as bright as the day it was printed, Jumbo margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. certificate
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H., brilliant color, intact perfs all around and with significant portion of eight adjoining stamps, choice centering, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT PERF 11 ERROR, SCOTT 505. AN INCOMPARABLE SHOWPIECE.
With 1991 P.F. certificate
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. double error in block of twelve, natural s.e. at bottom, brilliant color, completely free from the natural gum skips and bends that are often found on this issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF TWELVE CONTAINING TWO EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT ERROR.
With 1998 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates
7c Black (507). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression, choice centering with well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Scarsdale, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 1917 ISSUE, SCOTT 518, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,850.00). Only six have graded higher to date and only 13 others share this desirable high grade.
2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., unusually choice centering with well-proportioned margins, radiant color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 519. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP IN EXISTENCE, AND HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
This stamp was created in 1917 when a small excess supply of the imperforate Scott 344 was returned by the New York City post office to the Bureau for credit. Rather than issue the credit, the Bureau perforated the sheets and returned them to the New York City post office for public sale.
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $10,000.00). Only three have attained this lofty grade, which is the highest awarded to date.
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., rich colors, wide margins, trivial natural inclusion at bottom left not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Deep Green & Black (524). Mint N.H., intense colors, proof-like impressions, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp of great visual appeal, with 2001 P.F. certificate