Sale 1247 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 December, 2021
Category — Special Delivery, Registration
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1885 FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
The first Special Delivery is easily distinguished from those that follow because the explanatory text at center is straight. In addition, subsequent issues alter the text at center. It is extremely difficult to obtain in sound, centered and Mint N.H. condition.
With 1982, 2007 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Mint N.H., rich color, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE IS NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO OPBTAIN IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION WITH DECENT CENTERING.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,100.00).
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1893 "COLUMBIAN" SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
With 1997 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,950.00). Only one grades higher (at 95J, last sold by us in 2011) and only three others share this grade. This is also the first in this grade we have offered since 2013.
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 552 selvage, vibrant color, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,500.00)
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Mint N.H., deep rich color, attractive centering and margins, fresh and Very Fine
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E5). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
Ex "Hanover". With 1996 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95).
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H., brilliant color and proof-like impression on fresh paper, wide margins and precise centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1902 SERIES SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP, SCOTT E6, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Scott E6 is the first of the "Messenger on Bicycle" Special Delivery designs. It was released as part of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's "Series of 1902" regular postage issues (Scott 300-313). Scott E6 is printed on double-line "USPS" watermarked paper with 12-gauge perforations. In 1908 the "Helmut of Mercury" Special Delivery stamp was issued. However, the Messenger on Bicycle design was re-issued in 1909 from new plates, and the same basic design was issued continuously until the Motorcycle Delivery design replaced it in 1922. Changes in the paper and perforation gauge for the issues from 1909 until 1922 mirror the changes in the Washington-Franklin series of the same period.
Ex Myerson. With 2007 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $7,400.00). This is one of only three examples of this issue to grade in the 98 or higher range. There are two others in this range, graded 98J and 100. We have offered both of these stamps, most recently in Sales 1150 (98J) and 1138 (100)
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E8). Mint N.H., detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $305.00)
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E9). Mint N.H., with right plate no. 5863 selvage, exceptionally well-centered, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with ungraded 2019 P.S.E. certificate, with 1984 (for block), 2001 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E9). Mint N.H., detailed impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00)
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E9a). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 5854 selvage, intense shade and impression, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $925.00)
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, magnificent centering with unusually wide and balanced margins all around, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. A FANTASTIC STAMP.
Ex "Scarsdale" and "Hanover". With 2002 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,200.00). Only six grade higher.
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E11). Mint N.H., almost mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, deep rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $725.00), only three grade higher (highest is one example at 100)
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E11). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Hanover", with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $300.00)
10c Deep Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E12a). Mint N.H., deep shade, detailed impression, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1922 10-CENT SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE IS AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Hanover". With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $2,100.00). Only one grades higher and two others share this desirable grade.
10c Deep Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E12a). Mint N.H., fresh color and paper, essentially perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,325.00), only four grade higher
10c Deep Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E12a). Mint N.H., rich color, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $950.00), only six grade higher
15c Deep Orange, Special Delivery, Printed on Special Booklet Paper (E13a). Mint N.H., vibrant color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; this is unpriced in SMQ, SMQ $375.00 on normal paper), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
Special Delivery, Superb Balance (E14-E21). Eight Mint N.H. stamps, complete for the 1925-1957 issues (E15 represented by the E15a Red Lilac sub-shade), each graded Superb 98 except for E21 which is graded Gem 100, Extremely Fine Gem group, with 2007-2021 P.S.E. certificates, total SMQ $955.00
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10c Ultramarine, Registration (F1). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $475.00)