Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 357-366)
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H. with plate no. 4894 at bottom, deep rich color, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT ON BLUISH, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE.
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 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,600.00). Only two others have achieved this grade and only one has graded higher. The example graded higher, at 98 Jumbo, realized $15,500 hammer in our auction of the Scarsdale collection.
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., choice margins and centering, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., rich color on nicely blued paper, Extremely Fine, ex Vineyard, with 1976 P.F. 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 $6,600.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date (one other shares this grade). In all of our auctions, the highest grade 2c Bluish Paper we have previously offered is a 95, a statistic which demonstrates how rare this stamp is in the higher grades.
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., intense shade on deeply blued paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE BLUISH PAPERS ARE EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THIS HIGH GRADE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,600.00). Only three have graded higher to date and no others share this desirable grade.
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., incredibly well-centered, especially for a 2c Bluish Paper, vivid color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00)
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered with oversized margins, fresh, vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate for vertical pair (bottom stamp) and 2001 P.S.E. certificate as this single
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., brilliant color, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, ex Vineyard, with 1987 and 2003 P.F. certificates
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
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vibrant color on nicely blued paper, fresh and Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Lightly hinged,unusually large even margins, really out of the ordinary, wonderful deep rich color, clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A FABULOUS LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT BLUISH PAPER WHICH HAS FEW PEERS.
With 1975 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,950.00). Only three others share this grade with none higher
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Exceptionally well-centered, cancelled across lower left by oval cancel, probably Saginaw Mich., where 13c Bluish Paper stamps were usedEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT BLUISH PAPER ISSUE.
With 1979 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,200.00). Only two have graded higher to date.
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Intense color on nicely blued paper, light pencil notation on back, fresh and Fine