Sale 1150 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 1 March, 2017
Category — 1913-15 Panama-Pacific Issue (Scott 397-404)
1c Panama-Pacific (397). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $725.00)
1c Panama-Pacific (397). H.r., exceptional Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $195.00 for 100), this is the highest possible grade and it has been equaled by no other hinged stamps (one Mint N.H. is graded 100J)
2c Panama-Pacific (398). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright white paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $650.00)
2c Panama-Pacific, Lake Shade Variety (398b). Lightly hinged, intense color which is significantly different from both the listed shade and also the Carmine Lake shade, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 2-CENT PANAMA-PACIFIC IN THE LAKE SHADE IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN ANY CONDITION -- THE STAMP OFFERED HERE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE P.F., IS PROBABLY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
According to Johl, "there is one shade that is practically as scarce as the four-cent Blue of the Columbian issue, this is known as Lake, almost the same color as were the Postage Due stamps current at that time. Only one pane of 70 is said to have been found at a Post Office in San Francisco, although it hardly seems possible that but one sheet could have been printed in this dark color. When these were discovered there were only 40 copies left; 31 were purchased by A. L. Ott, an old-time collector, and 9 by a local dealer."
With 2006 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (both graded OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $16,500.00). This is by far the highest graded example in the P.S.E. Population Report. Only three are graded in total -- one other hinged at F-VF 75 and one Mint N.H. at F 70. The centering and lightly hinged gum on this stamp puts it in a class by itself
2c Lake, Panama-Pacific (398b). Centered to left, intense color in the true Lake shade, light 1914 duplex cancel, tiny corner thin at bottom rightFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PANAMA-PACIFIC IN THE RARE LAKE SHADE. THIS MAY BE THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE.
According to Johl, "there is one shade that is practically as scarce as the four-cent Blue of the Columbian issue, this is known as Lake, almost the same color as were the Postage Due stamps current at that time. Only one pane of 70 is said to have been found at a Post Office in San Francisco, although it hardly seems possible that but one sheet could have been printed in this dark color. When these were discovered there were only 40 copies left; 31 were purchased by A.L., an old-time collector, and 9 by a local dealer."
This is the first used example we have offered since keeping computerized records and we are aware of no others. The online records at The Philatelic Foundation contain no used examples.
With 2009 A.P.S. certificate.
5c Panama-Pacific (399). Mint N.H., deep color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 1994 and 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00). Only one example has graded higher (at 100J) and only three others share this grade. This is the highest grade we have ever offered in one of our auctions.
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H., vivid color, essentially precise centering, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE YELLOW PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,650.00). Only five have graded higher (all at 98J)
10c Orange, Panama-Pacific (400A). Mint N.H., wide and mathematically perfect centering, deep rich color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE IS AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $5,850.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade and only one has graded higher (at 100J). The highest grade we have previously offered in one of our auctions is a 98
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H., intense color, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2003 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98)
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H., vibrant color, remarkably well-centered, post-office fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
5c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (403). Mint N.H., deep shade and proof-like impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00)
5c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (403). Mint N.H., deep shade on bright paper, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 1984 P.F. certificate
5c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (403). Lightly hinged, deep rich color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Barest trace of hinging, beautifully centered, gorgeous deep color, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Lightly hinged, vibrant color on bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate