Sale 1245 — United States Stamps, featuring the Sacramento Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 16-18 November, 2021
Category — 1917-19 Issues (Scott 481-524)
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (487). Mint N.H. pair, deep rich color and detailed impression, precise centering with beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $550.00), only three pairs grade higher (highest is 100)
2c Carmine, Ty. III, Coil (488). Mint N.H. pair, brilliant color, crisp impression, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $500.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only six others
1c Green, Coil (490). Mint N.H. joint line pair, essentially perfect centering, fresh color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $350.00), the highest grade awarded with only three others equal
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Joint line pair, original gum, light hinge mark at top (though certificate states "never hinged"), intense colorFRESH AND FINE. A SCARCE AND LOVELY LIGHTLY HINGED JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT ROTARY TYPE II COIL, SCOTT 491.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate as Mint N.H. -- which it may have been in 2010 but no longer is (F 70; SMQ $5,750.00 as OGph). Only three joint line pairs grade higher
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Pair, original gum, lightly hinged, unusually choice centering, beautiful colorEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS PAIR OF THE RARE 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 491. DIFFICULT TO FIND WITH SUCH CHOICE CENTERING.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
With 1973 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $11,000.00). Only three pairs grade higher (at 95) and three share this grade
3c Violet, Ty. II, Coil (494). Mint N.H. joint line pair, beautiful color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb joint line pair and one of the finest in existence, ex "Silver Lake", Cohen, Killien, "Scarsdale" and Depew, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,075.00), only one joint line pair grades higher (at 95) and four others share this grade
4c Orange Brown, Coil (495). Mint N.H. pair, remarkably well-centered, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $475.00), only three pairs grade higher (at 100)
10c Orange Yellow, Coil (497). Mint N.H. pair, vibrant color, mathematically perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,350.00), the highest grade awarded and shared by only five others
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Mint N.H., characteristic Ty. Ia vivid color, near perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT DEEP ROSE TYPE Ia, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The Type Ia Scott 500 was created during an experiment of the Bureau in creating a new type of transfer roll. A die was made from the old Type I transfer roll, having ten impressions on it. A new transfer roll was then made, using the new ten-impression master die. This new transfer roll was then used to create two new plates. There are noticeable differences between the plates created using this method and the old method of using one die impression to create the transfer roll.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,000.00). Only one example grades higher (at Gem 100, most recently offered in our 2021 sale of the Myerson collection) and four others share this lofty grade.
4c Brown (503). Mint N.H., intense color, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $425.00)
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H., exceedingly well-centered, wonderfully bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,150.00)
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,050.00)
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. double error in a block of twelve, bright color, attractive centering, Very Fine, a fresh Mint N.H. double error block
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. double error in a block of twelve, bright color, light gum bend affects the bottom error stamp, Fine
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. single error in block of nine, rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine
7c Black (507). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression on fresh paper, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,300.00), only four grade higher (highest is 100)
10c Orange Yellow (510). Mint N.H., fiery color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $375.00)
12c Claret Brown (512). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with unusually wide margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, an exceptional stamp, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,000.00), this is one of only two at this perfect grade -- the highest awarded -- we are not sure what the SMQ value is based on since the other Gem 100 realized $2,200 hammer in Sale 1206 in 2019
20c Light Ultramarine (515). Mint N.H., colossal Jumbo margins and near perfect centering, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00), only three Mint N.H. stamps grade higher
30c Orange Red (516). Mint N.H., vivid color and proof-like impression, near perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,100.00), only six grade higher (highest is 100J)
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1985 P.F. (for block) and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $525.00)
$1.00 Deep Brown (518b). Far better centering and wider margins than usually found, rich color in the true Deep Brown shade, closed tear at bottom and light creases, otherwise Very Fine, scarce, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., choice centering with well-proportioned margins, rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 519.
This stamp was created in 1917 when a small excess supply of the imperforate Scott 344 was returned by the New York City post office to the Bureau for credit. Rather than issue the credit, the Bureau perforated the sheets and returned them to the New York City post office for public sale.
Ex Drucker. With 1982 P.F. and 2002 P.S.E. certificates
2c Carmine (519). Original gum with pencil notation and backstamp, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 1997 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OG, VF-XF 85; SMQ $450.00)
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., brilliant color, perfectly centered with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE, GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
The $2.00 and $5.00 1918 Issue are the first bi-colored dollar-denominated postage stamps issued by the United States. Both were released just three months after the famous 1918 24c Inverted Jenny, but the early printings were issued in small quantities, since stocks of the 1902 $2.00 and $5.00 1917 issue were still on hand.
According to Johl, the $2.00 Orange Red & Black was a color error on the part of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. The official description and order for the bi-color stamps specified "Red and Black" for the $2.00. When subsequent printings appeared in 1920 and philatelists brought the matter to the attention of the Bureau, they were told "this stamp has always been this color" (Johl, p. 306). From studies of Bureau and Post Office records, it is clear that the originally intended color was not issued until November 1920 (Scott 547), and that the earlier Orange Red stamps were mistakes. The quantity issued has been variously estimated at between 47,000 and 68,000.
1983 P.F. certificate 123384 stating "It is Genuine" no longer accompanies. With 2014 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo). With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in this grade, SMQ $17,500.00 as 100). This is the highest grade possible and the only to achieve it. The P.F. is notoriously stingy with higher grades. This issue is also extremely difficult to obtain in any grade over a 98 -- P.S.E. has issued only three (one each at 98J, 100 and 100J). We have never offered the 100.
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., gorgeous centering with wide margins all around, fresh color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,000.00).
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., pretty color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., deep rich color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1985 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Deep Green & Black (524). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1980 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00)
$5.00 Deep Green & Black (524). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impressions on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00)