Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — Offices in China
2c on 1c Offices in China (K1). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $625.00), there are ample populations of Mint N.H. Scott K1 at the higher grades (including ten at 95 and seven at 98), however there are very few Jumbos of this issue -- only this 95J and a single example at 98J are listed in the P.S.E. Population Report
2c on 1c Offices in China (K1). Jumbo margins and near perfect centering, light oval grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge and superb used example of the 2c on 1c Offices in China, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,250.00), this is the highest grade awarded to a Scott K1 in any condition (Mint N.H., hinged or used) and one of only two to be awarded this grade (the other 98J is Mint N.H.)
4c on 2c Offices in China (K2). Mint N.H. with top plate no. F 13541 selvage, exceptionally well-centered, deep shade, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Hinrichs, with 2019 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $450.00), only three grade higher (at 98)
4c on 2c Offices in China (K2). Jumbo margins and precise centering, brilliant color, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00), only one used stamp grades higher (at 98) and no others share this grade
6c on 3c Offices in China (K3). Mint N.H., choice margins and centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a very elusive stamp in the highest grades, with 2011 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison, only two grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report (at 98)
8c on 4c Offices in China (K4). Mint N.H., wide margins and outstanding centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 (for block of four) and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Mint N.H., beautiful margins and almost perfectly centered, strong color and sharp impression on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00)
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, neat strike of Shanghai oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00), this is the highest grade awarded to a used Scott K5 and it is shared by no others
12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00)
12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Huge Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, fiery color, light circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT ON 6-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
This huge stamp is probably the finest used example of this issue extant. With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded. The next highest used stamp grades 90J (one example)
14c on 7c Offices in China (K7). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, intense shade on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, difficult to find in this high quality, with 1987 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,450.00), only two grade higher (at 98)
16c on 8c Offices in China (K8). Mint N.H., pretty shade on crisp paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 16-CENT ON 8-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,750.00). This is the highest grade listed in the P.S.E. Population Report, though we sold a 98J in our 2009 sale of the "Beverly Hills" collection. Only two others share the Superb 98 grade.
16c on 8c Offices in China (K8). Wide margins and choice centering, rich color which we believe is the Olive Green shade (K8a) but certified as Olive Bister (K8), neat strike of oval grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90), this is a very difficult issue to find used in the higher grades (in either of the listed shades)
16c on 8c Olive Green, Offices in China (K8a). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, rich color in this sub-shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate showing bottom plate no. selvage, which accompanies (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,400.00), only three grade higher
16c on 8c Olive Green, Offices in China (K8a). Brilliant color in the Olive Green shade, neat strike of Shanghai circular datestamp, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,150.00), this is the only P.S.E. graded used example of this issue, no doubt submitters have been unable to find sufficiently choice copies worth grading
18c on 9c Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H., vivid color, outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00), only five grade higher (at 98)
18c on 9c Offices in China (K9). Wide margins and choice centering, vivid color, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine and rare, the 18c on 9c Offices in China is all but impossible to find used in the highest grades, the P.S.E. Population Report lists two at VF-XF 85 and none higher, the P.F. website lists no used graded examples
20c on 10c Offices in China (K10). Mint N.H., intense color and impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00), only four grade higher (one at 95J and three at 98), ten others share this grade but they are hard to find as this is the first we have offered since 2012
20c on 10c Offices in China (K10). Vibrant color, gorgeous centering with wide margins, bold Shanghai cancels at top, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison P.S.E. has graded only one at this grade with one higher
24c on 12c Offices in China (K11). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY THE P.F.
With 2015 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). By way of comparison, none equal this grade in the P.S.E. Population Report and only one grades higher (at 98, offered in our 2016 Hanover sale)
24c on 12c Claret Brown, Offices in China (K11a). Mint N.H., intense color in a dark shade, sharp impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine, a most impressive stamp, with 2000 P.S.E. and 2015 P.F. certificates
30c on 15c Offices in China (K12). Mint N.H., wide balanced margins and perfect centering, clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA.
With 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (98 ogNH)
40c on 20c Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,925.00), only four grade higher (two at 95J, one each at 98 and 98J) and five others share this grade, this does not appear very often at higher grades in our auctions -- we sold the 98 in 2008 and have never offered any of the other higher, and the last time we offered a 95 was in 2014
60c on 30c Offices in China (K14). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 60-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA WITH JUMBO MARGINS, INCREDIBLE COLOR AND LONG PERFORATIONS.
With 1989 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ, SMQ $1,725.00 as 95, $3,600.00 as 98). Only one grades higher (at 98J, last offered by us in 2008) and one other shares this grade
60c on 30c Offices in China (K14). Vibrant color, neat cancel at top right leaves design clearly visible, choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00), only one grades higher (at 98) and none share this grade
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., deep rich color, essentially perfect centering with wide margins on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 ON 50-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN OUTSTANDING CONDITION RARITY.
With 1999 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,250.00). Only two grade higher (at 98) and only five others share this desirable grade.
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Deep rich color on bright paper, neat cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, surprisingly scarce, we have offered only five other off-cover used examples since keeping computerized records, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,475.00)
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China (K16). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1997 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,750.00). Only two grade higher (both 98) and one shares this desirable grade. This is underpriced in SMQ as the last time we sold this stamp it realized $7,500 hammer
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China (K16). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai circular datestamp, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 ON $1.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE. DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE USED CONDITION.
With 1980, 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 XQ). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded one at 95 and one at 98, and the highest grade we have offered is 90J
2c on 1c Offices in China (K17). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,550.00)
2c on 1c Offices in China (K17). Rich color on bright paper, neat strike of U.S. Post Office in Shanghai duplex datestamp, phenomenal centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,950.00), the highest grade awarded and shared by no others
4c on 2c Offices in China (K18). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,475.00), only three grade higher (at 95J, we have never offered them) and four others share this desirable grade
4c on 2c Offices in China (K18). Brilliant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide margins on all sides, face-free strike of Shanghai circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex "Tahoe", with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,700.00), the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade, the next highest is 90
6c-40c Offices in China (K3, K4, K7, K11, K11a, K12, K13). Used, rich colors, most have easily identifiable Shanghai cancels, Very Fine-Extremely Fine group, five with certificates including Nos. K4 and K13 graded 80J