Sale 1094 — The Curtis Collection: Back of Book and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 March, 2015
Category — Postage Due: 1879-91 Issues (Scott J1-J28)
1c-50c Brown (J1-J7). Used blocks of four (except 30c is a block of six), rich colors, range of cancels, small faults including 1c and 10c with perf faults, Fine-Very Fine appearance, a difficult set to assemble, 30c ex Boker, others mostly ex Twigg-Smith, unpriced as used blocks, Scott Retail as singles
2c Brown (J2). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
30c Brown (J6). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering amid wide margins, fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
30c Brown (J6). Cancelled by bright red New York City Maltese Cross, excellent centering, fresh color, Extremely Fine, a particularly pretty stamp, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
50c Brown (J7). Mint N.H., bright shade, Very Fine and choice, scarce in Mint Never-Hinged condition, ex Silver Lake, with 1990 and 2004 P.F. certificates
1c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J8). Original gum, s.e. at right, radiant color and unmistakable impression of the Special PrintingFINE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle No. 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures. For the 1c, Mooz estimates 500 sold, but it is possible that as many as 400 purchased by G. B. Calman were destroyed. It is widely accepted that nearly 9,000 1c stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues.
Ex Engel. With 1960 and 1999 P.F. certificates
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Unused (no gum), very well-centered for this difficult issue, cameo as typical for genuine examples, light corner crease top left described as "strengthened" on accompanying certificateVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING, WHICH IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN WELL-CENTERED.
The reported sale figures for the rare 1c, 2c and 3c Postage Due Special Printings probably include orders filled with regular stamps.
With 1971 and 2000 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as original gum
3c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Unused (no gum), rich color and cameo typical of genuine Special Printings, small natural inclusion above "P"FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS THE RAREST POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
Although 436 copies were reported sold, it is believed that 100 copies were destroyed in the Calman lot. A thorough search of the marketplace, combined with conversations with dealers and collectors, has confirmed the extreme rarity of this stamp.
With copy of 1982 P.F. and with 2002 P.S.E. certificates. Scott Retail as original gum
5c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J11). Original gum, rich color, couple of nibbed perfs at left not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1999 P.F. certificate.
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J12). Unused (no gum), extraordinarily well-centered, classic Special Printing shade and cameoEXTREMELY FINE. REMARKABLY CHOICE QUALITY FOR THIS POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING RARITY. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.
It has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. With 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as original gum
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Unused (no gum), well-centered with nicely balanced margins, rich color, thinned at centerVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. The vast majority of surviving examples are faulty.
With 1959 and 2002 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as original gum
50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Unused (no gum), rich color and proof-like impression of the Special Printing, wide marginsVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1946 and 1999 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as original gum
2c Red Brown (J16). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
3c Red Brown (J17). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade, choice centering with exceptionally wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate.
3c Red Brown (J17). Cork cancel, wide margins, lovely rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.S.E. certificate
5c Red Brown (J18). Original gum, lightly hinged, wonderfully well-balanced margins, rich color and a sharp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1989 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00), this is the highest grade awarded to any unused No. J18
2c Red Brown (J18). Original gum, h.r., exceptionally wide margins, fresh color, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (J18). Perfectly centered with immense margins, sharp impression, light cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, ex Tahoe, with 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $420.00), this is the only No. J18 to grade 95J, with just one grading higher
10c Red Brown (J19). Original gum, barely hinged, exceptionally well-centered within wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00), two share this grade and only one grades higher
10c Red Brown (J19). Light double-oval cancel, huge balanced margins all around, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $350.00), this is the only used No. J19 to grade 95J, the highest grade awarded
30c Red Brown (J20). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 332 block of twelve, lovely fresh color, a few perf separations on bottom right stamp (extraneous to the plate block of ten)FINE-VERY FINE. A HANDSOME MINT-NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS SCARCE POSTAGE DUE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK.
Scott Retail as a hinged plate block of ten
30c Red Brown (J20). Full bottom imprint and plate no. 332 block of ten, original gum, some h.r. rejoining perfs, especially the top right stamp, this results in some gum staining, bottom right stamp with minor surface scrape, Fine appearance
30c, 50c Red Brown (J20-J21). Used block of four of each, rich color, small faults as usual, Fine appearance, scarce blocks, 30c ex Twigg-Smith, 50c not priced as a used block, Scott Retail as singles
50c Red Brown (J21). Mint N.H., proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1884 50-CENT RED BROWN POSTAGE DUE.
Ex Whitman. With 1992 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (F-VF 75; SMQ $2,100.00)
50c Red Brown (J21). Original gum, wide margins, rich color, Very Fine, ex Gorham, with 1993 P.S.E., 1995 and 2005 P.F. certificates
50c Red Brown (J21). Light New York oval cancel, near perfect centering on bright white paper, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
3c Bright Claret (J24). Top imprint and plate no. 317 block of ten, stamps Mint N.H., h.r. and a few reinforced perfs in the top selvage, bright color, Fine-Very Fine
30c Bright Claret (J27). Block of four, rich color and detailed impression, two neat strikes of New York oval cancel, few expertly rejoined perf separations, Fine-Very Fine block, ex Twigg-Smith, Scott Retail as singles
30c Bright Claret (J27). Two horizontal blocks of eight and two singles, on piece, tied by New York "UD" ovals, the paper to which the stamps are affixed was creased before use (stamps not creased), one stamp faulty, couple other minor faults, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, used blocks are listed but unpriced and are very scarce, Scott Retail for used singles
50c Bright Claret (J28). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully centered amid wide margins, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Gorham, with 1995, 2005 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
50c Bright Claret (J28). Block of four, crisp impression on bright paper, New York oval cancels, light corner crease on bottom right stamp, otherwise Very Fine, ex Twigg-Smith, Scott Retail as singles