Sale 1093 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. 20th Century and Air Post
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 23-24 February, 2015
Category — 1908-10 Washington-Franklin Issues (Scott 331-342)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
79
P
1c-$1.00 1908 Issue, Large Die Proofs on India (331P1-342P1). Complete set, on approximately 36 x 38mm cards, bright colors except 6c slightly oxidized, each with minor h.r.VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1908 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ISSUE LARGE DIE PROOFS. PERFECT FOR EXHIBITION IN THESE SIZES.
Only approximately four or five complete sets are known. We have not offered another since our 1981 Rarities sale.
Ex Georgetown collection.
15,250
5,250
80
1c-8c 1908-12 Issues (331-337, 343-347, 383-384, 408-409). Unused singles, 1c-3c of Perf 12 issue Mint N.H., other perforated stamps hinged, majority of the imperfs Mint N.H., Fine-Extremely Fine with several quite nice incl. P.S.E. graded Nos. 331 (XF 90J), 332 (XF-Superb 95J) and 333 (XF 90), total SMQ just for the three Mint N.H. graded stamps $400.00 without regard to the Jumbo appellations
445
650
Back to Top81
1c-10c 1908-09 Issue (331-333, 335, 337, 338). Imprint and plate no. blocks of six, 1c and 2c with star, 2c Mint N.H., others lightly hinged, Fine-Very Fine, also incl. centerline blocks of sixteen of Nos. 343 and 344
2,616
600
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1c-$1.00 1908-12 Issue (331-340, 342, 343-347, 383-384, 408-409). Used singles, Perf 12 double-line watermark issue complete less 50c, all with wide margins and attractive centering, range of handstamp and machine cancels, a couple minor flaws may be found but overall Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a choice group, 1c and 2c perforated P.S.E. graded 95J and 98J (SMQ $175.00 for 98, unpriced in higher grade)
245
200
Back to Top83
1c-$1.00 1908-09 Issue Used Blocks (331-342, 343-347). Complete set of blocks of four, also incl. few extras such as plate blocks of 2c and 4c imperforate and block of six of 5c imperforate, few small faults, overall Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail approximately
2,550
1,400
Back to Top84
3c Deep Violet, "China Clay" Experimental Paper (333 var). Bottom imprint and plate no. 4927 block of six, much darker shade of paper which at one time constituted the "China Clay" paper, bottom right stamp slight internal crease, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate as No. 333a "China Clay", the P.F. will no longer certify this variety so it is offered as is -- although there is an argument between "scientists" over what constitutes China Clay paper, the obvious experimental nature of this rare paper variety has been known for 80+ years -- ex Wampler (where it realized $6,000 as No. 333a)
E. 1,000-1,500
1,000
Back to Top85
4c Orange Brown (334). Mint N.H. wide top imprint, plate no. 5138 and star block of six, well-centered, fresh color on bright paper, bottom right stamp slight gum bend, fresh and Very Fine
725
850
Back to Top86
4c Orange Brown (334). Mint N.H. top imprint, star and plate no. 5217, stamps with wide margins, rich color, Very Fine and choice
725
850
Back to Top87
6c Red Orange (336). Right imprint and plate no. 4936 block of six with wide selvage, four stamps Mint N.H., top right and center right stamps small h.r., bright color except where slightly oxidized at top, well-balanced margins, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, ex MLG collection
750
500
Back to Top88
10c Yellow (338). Mint N.H., spectacular color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine
160
325
Back to Top89
13c Blue Green (339). Mint N.H., outstanding centering and margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.A.G. certificate (95 ogNH)
90
550
Back to Top90
13c Blue Green (339). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 4946 block of six, beautiful rich color, minor perf separations, Fine-Very Fine, the left block particularly choice
875
700
Back to Top91
13c Blue Green, Line Thru "TAG" of "POSTAGE" (339 var). Bottom imprint and plate no. 4948 block of six from the lower right pane, the bottom center stamp the variety, small h.r. reinforcing some perf separations in selvage, Very Fine, a scarce variety particularly as part of a plate block, found only on Position 96 from the lower right pane of Plate 4948, Scott Retail as normal plate block
500
160
Back to Top92
13c Blue Green, "China Clay" Experimental Paper (339 var). Top imprint and plate no. 4945 block of six, darker shade of paper which at one time constituted the "China Clay" paper, tiny thins, Very Fine appearance, with 1991 P.F. certificate as No. 339a "China Clay", the P.F. will no longer certify this variety so it is offered as is -- although there is an argument between "scientists" over what constitutes China Clay paper, the obvious experimental nature of this rare paper variety has been known for 80+ years -- ex Wampler (where it realized $6,250 as No. 339a)
E. 1,000-1,500
1,500
Back to Top93
15c Pale Ultramarine (340). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, lovely soft pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $350.00)
150
325
Back to Top94
15c Pale Ultramarine (340). Bottom imprint and plate no. 4951 block of six, lightly hinged, bright color, well-centered, Extremely Fine
650
235
Back to Top95
50c Violet (341). Lightly hinged, deep rich color, almost perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $775.00)
300
550
Back to Top96
50c Violet (341). Jumbo balanced margins, beautiful color on bright paper, New York oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp and one of the finest used examples extant, ex Kirke, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $200.00 as 95, $625.00 as 98), only one has been graded higher (at 98, also ex Kirke)
22
475
Back to Top97
$1.00 Violet Brown (342). Barely hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $750.00)
500
650
Back to Top98
50c Violet (341). Wide top imprint and plate no. 4956 block of six, exceptionally choice centering, radiant color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE TOP PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT 1909 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARKED ISSUE, SCOTT 341.
Scott 341 was produced from only one plate, number 4956, which had plate number blocks at top and bottom. A review using Power Search shows that most top position plate blocks have the selvage shortened to some degree -- only two others with wide top were located and neither is as well-centered as the example offered here.
7,000
4,750
Back to Top99
$1.00 Violet Brown (342). Top imprint and plate no. 4957 block of six, lightly hinged in selvage only, stamps Mint N.H., rich color, perfectly centered, one toned perf tip, sealed selvage tear just above imprintEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE $1.00 WASHINGTON 1908 ISSUE.
Excluding the Bluish Paper issue, this is one of the rarest of the Washington-Franklin plate blocks. The Bureau experienced difficulty with paper shrinkage while printing the 1908 Issue, and the Bluish Paper experiment of 1909 was part of an effort to correct the problem. The 1908 high-denomination stamps are difficult to find well-centered, and plate blocks are extremely rare in higher grades.
Ex Wampler and Saddleback
22,500
12,000
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