Sale 976 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 29 September-2 October, 2009
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 357-366)
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., rich color on deeply blued paper, Very Fine and choice, an attractive stamp, with 1985 and 1988 P.F. certificates
1c Green, Bluish (357). Block of four with bottom imprint selvage, bottom right stamp Mint N.H., Fine-Very Fine
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H. right imprint and plate no. 4894 block of six, detailed impression on nicely blued paper, tiny gum soak in center selvage near imprint, crease in selvage, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
1c Green, Bluish (357). Wide top imprint and plate no. 4889 block of six, slight gum disturbance, some perf separations, otherwise Fine, with 1952 A.P.S. certificate
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on deeply blued paper, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION, THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT ON BLUISH IN EXISTENCE. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
The Bluish paper stamps were made as part of an experiment to correct problems with paper shrinkage and spoilage. The existence of this stamp with such superb centering and huge margins is truly remarkable.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $5,300.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date (one other shares this grade).
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Wide top imprint and plate no. 4863 block of six, barely hinged, about Fine
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on nicely blued paper, wide margins, Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. and 1992 P.S.E. certificates
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Rich color on nicely blued paper, narrow h.r., Fine, with 1968 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Single hinge mark, rich color on nicely blued paper, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Lightly hinged, bright shade on nicely blued paper, unusually wide margin at topFINE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER FROM POSITION ONE IN THE ORIGINAL SHEET OF 100.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off-center to some extent.
This stamp was originally part of the top left corner sheet-margin block of four seen in the Colonel E. H. R. Green collection (Part VII, lot 620, J. C. Morganthau & Co., Dec. 1-8, 1942). The top right stamp from the same block appeared in a Simmy's sale in 1976 with the top sheet selvage intact. The stamp offered here was offered with the corner sheet selvage removed as early as 1970 (Peter Kenedi sale). It was acquired by the present owner in the Siegel 1975 Rarities Sale (lot 155). The corner selvage was probably removed to make the stamp fit into an album space.
With 1972 P.F. certificate issued to Raymond H. Weill Co.
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Narrow h.r., rich color and proof-like impression on deeply blued paper, choice centering for this difficult issue, reperfed at right (not mentioned on certificate)VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Purple backstamp. With 1968 P.F. certificate
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). H.r., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed on nicely blued paper, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, a stamp of extraordinary freshness, with 1968 P.F. certificate
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Lightly hinged, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, intense color on deeply blued paperEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER. RARE IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Our Levi records show perhaps three Mint N.H. examples, all of which are off center.
With 1964 and 1990 P.F. certificates
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). H.r., rich color on nicely blued paperVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish paper stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives.
With 1980 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). H.r., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, well-balanced margins, Very Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1967 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vivid color, nicely blued paper, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Lightly hinged, radiant color, reperfed at right (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), Very Fine appearance, with 1986 P.F. certificate
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Lightly hinged, rich color on nicely blued paper, fresh and Fine, light purple backstamp
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., fresh and bright, Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate for vertical pair (bottom stamp)
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Barely hinged, radiant color on nicely blued paper, Very Fine, with 1968 P.F. certificate
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Bright color, h.r., trivial gum soaks on some of the right perfs, otherwise Fine, "HFC" (Colman) handstamp guarantee, with 1997 A.P.S. certificate which states "genuine, regummed, hinge remnant added." which, in our opinion, is not the case
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Block of four, nicely centered, excellent color on unmistakably blued paperFINE-VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND SCARCE MULTIPLE OF THE 15-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate