Sale 1217 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 3 March, 2020
Category — 1918-22 Issues (Scott 527-573)
2c Offset Issues, Plate Blocks (527, 528, 528B). Three Mint N.H. plate blocks, each a top position including No. 528 with monogram, bright and fresh, minor gum bends and skip on No. 528, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. VI (528A). Mint N.H., perfectly centered, brilliant color on bright paper, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 528A, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,800.00). The highest grade awarded and the only to achieve it
3c Purple, Ty. IV (530). Mint N.H., brilliant color, outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate (100J ogNH), with ungraded 2015 P.S.E. certificate (which no doubt was graded lower than 100J)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. IV, Imperforate (532). Mint N.H., huge margins all around including right plate no. 10918, radiant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $400.00)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. IV, Imperforate (532). Mint N.H. top plate no. 10918 block of six, large margins, deep shade on bright paper, Extremely Fine plate block from the premium top position
2c Carmine, Ty. V, Imperforate (533). Mint N.H., huge margins including bottom sheet margin, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $750.00), the highest grade awarded and shared by only three others
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Large margins with guideline at left, brilliant color, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
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2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Horizontal pair with guide line between stamps, lightly hinged, brilliant color, large even margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE, WITH VERTICAL GUIDE LINE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Most Type VII stamps were used by private vending and affixing-machine companies. However, unlike Scott 314A and 482A, a small supply of the imperforate 2c Type VII stamps did reach the public.
With 1991 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; unpriced as pair with guide line, SMQ $4,750.00 for normal pair), this is the highest grade recorded in the P.S.E. Population Report. Scott Retail for normal pair
3c Violet (537). Mint N.H., huge Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, vivid color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; SMQ $850.00 as 100, unpriced in the 100 Jumbo grade), only three other stamps share this highest of grades
3c Violet (537). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering, rich color, fresh in every respect, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $850.00), one of three at this perfect grade with only four higher
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (544). Rich color, light 1923 duplex cancel, perf tip added at right (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), otherwise Fine example of this rare stamp, with 1963 P.F. certificate
-1/2c-$2.00 1922-25 Issue, Large Die Proofs (551P1/572P1). 19 values from the series (lacking the 2c, 15c, 20c and $5.00), fully die sunk on card, four are on white wove paper (1-1/2c, 4c, 7c and 11c), others are on India paper, all full size cards except 8c cut down to 92 x 115mm and 12c 123 x 178mm, six signed by the Postmaster General, all with BEP handstamped numbers on reverse, a few with trivial mounting bendsVERY FINE. A RARE GROUP OF LARGE DIE PROOFS FOR THE 1922 SERIES.
Interestingly, all of the proofs on India paper fill out the die sinkage completely, while the ones on white paper leave an approximately 5mm margin all around.
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9c Red Orange, Large Die Trial Color Proof (561TC1a). Die sunk on full size card, BEP no. 332070 on reverse, bright and fresh, tiny corner mounting creases, otherwise Very Fine, a rare trial color proof
-1/2c-$5.00 1922-25 Issue, "SPECIMEN" Black Handstamped Ovpt. (551S-573S, 622S-623S). All 25 values with "SPECIMEN" handstamp and blue crayon mark, a few values with natural s.e., there may be a few small faults, also includes No. C20 with same "SPECIMEN" handstamp (but without the crayon mark)FINE. A LIKELY UNIQUE SET OF SPECIMEN HANDSTAMPS FROM THE POSTAL ARCHIVES IN BECHUANALAND.
An indispensable set for the specialist or exhibitor of the 1922 Issue.
Last offered in a Siegel sale in 1978. 6c, 20c, $5.00 and No. C20 each with 1977 B.P.A. certificate
8c Olive Green (560). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $650.00)
$2.00 Deep Blue (572). Double top arrow and plate nos. 14306 and F14306 block of sixteen, signed in the top selvage by "L.A. Hill Director", "H.S.N.P.M.G." and "Irving Glover, 3rd Asst. P.M.G.", lightly hinged mostly in the selvage, rich color, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as two plate blocks and an arrow block
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H., precise centering, brilliant colors, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $375.00)
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, well-centered, radiant colors on immaculate white paper, Very Fine and choice