Sale 1037 — United States and Foreign Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 10-14 December, 2012
Category — 1914-22 Issues (Scott 446-550)
4c Brown, Coil (446). Perfect centering with wide margins, rich color, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,100.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other, which was offered in our recent sale of the Kirke collection
2c Red, Ty. I, 2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coils (449, 491). Two of the most scarce Rotary Press Coils, each with wavy line machine cancel, rich colors, former with faint vertical crease, latter tiny margin wrinkle, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, former 2001 P.F. certificate, latter 2000 A.P.S. certificate as "creased" (all we see is the tiny wrinkle)
2c Carmine, Ty. III, Coil (450). Mint N.H. joint line pair, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, a scarce line pair in this condition, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate
3c Violet, Coil (456). Lightly hinged, bright shade and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $480.00)
3c Violet, Coil (456). Brilliant color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade
5c Blue, Coil (458). Mint N.H. joint line pair, rich color, detailed impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), only four have graded higher
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Imperforate Coil (459). Mint N.H., brilliant color, Extremely Fine
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Lightly hinged, outstanding margins and centering, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with two 2012 P.S.E. certificates, the first as a block with this the lower right stamp, the second as this single (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00)
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Exceptionally well-centered, deep color on fresh paper, Very Fine and choice
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Bottom imprint, plate no. 5782 and letter "A" block of six, left pair Mint N.H., other four lightly hinged, intense shade and impressionFRESH AND FINE. A RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1915 $1.00 PERF 10 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE, SCOTT 460.
Lewis Kaufman records only six top and six bottom plate blocks for this issue.
With copy of 1984 P.F. certificate.
30c Orange Red, Perf 10 (476A). Block of four with selvage at left, three stamps Mint N.H., top left stamp single hinge mark, radiant color, tiny tear at extreme edge of selvage at lower leftFINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE RARE 30-CENT PERF 10 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.
Despite the P.S.E. claim that a watermark has been "discovered" on one stamp from one of the 476A panes, the vestige of a watermark on the dandy roll used to make unwatermarked paper has been known to philatelists since 1918. The unwatermarked paper supplied to the Bureau for printings of sheets that were perforated gauge 10 and 11 is known to have had "ghost" watermarks where the brass pieces were removed. We currently side with the group of philatelists who believe that the 30c Perf 10 Unwatermarked, Scott 476A, was legitimately issued. The block offered here has selvage that has absolutely no trace of the watermark.
With copy of 1973 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as singles.
5c Carmine, Rose, Errors (467, 505). Fresh, bright colors, latter minor h.r., Fine-Very Fine, No. 467 with 1990 P.F. certificate
8c Olive Green (470). Mint N.H., deep rich color, choice balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00)
$1.00 Violet Black (478). Lightly hinged, with plate no. 5782 selvage at top, deep rich color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, plate number selvage is scarce on this issue
$2.00 Dark Blue (479). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,550.00)
$5.00 Light Green (480). Mint N.H., pretty shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
2c Carmine, Ty. III, Coil (488). Mint N.H. joint line pair, rich color, detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $470.00)
3c Violet, Ty. I, Coil (493). Mint N.H. pair, brilliant color on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal Mint N.H. pair, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $500.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade
3c Violet, Ty. I, Coil (493). Mint N.H., brilliant color, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $325.00), only two have graded higher
5c Blue, Coil (496). Mint N.H. joint line strip of four, wide margins and exceptional centering, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate
1c Green, Perf 10 at Bottom (498g). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression, post-office freshFINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT GREEN 1917 ISSUE PERFORATED 10 AT BOTTOM.
The 1c 1917 with Perf 10 at top or bottom is one of the rarest of all Perf 10 varieties. Our records of Scott 498g contain thirteen unused and five used examples of this rarity. The unused examples are as follows: 1) choice centering, original gum, Perf 10 at top, Siegel Sale 1001, lot 2044; 2) centered slightly to top, original gum, Perf 10 at top; 3) original gum, centered to bottom left, Perf 10 at top; 4) Mint N.H., centered to bottom left, Perf 10 at top; 5-6) block of four, original gum, Perf 10 at top, choice centering; 7-8) two in a top plate block of six, offered in Siegel Sale 1001, lot 2045; 9-12) four stamps Pos. 9-10/14-15 in a block of 25 with plate number at top, left pair with choice centering; 13) the Mint N.H. example offered here.
With 2011 P.F. certificate.
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Mint N.H., from the top row of the sheet and imperforate between stamp and selvage, rich color, Very Fine and choice, a scarce variety, with 1988 P.F. certificate, accompanied by Mint N.H. plate no. single from bottom row, about Fine, Scott Retail for two normal Mint N.H. stamps $1,100.00
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Right plate no. 10208 block of six, deep rich color, nice centering and margins, Very Fine
3c Light Violet, Ty. I (501). Brilliant color, wavy-line machine cancel, perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ even as a 98, SMQ $65.00 as 95), this is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade
5c Blue (504). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $200.00 as 95, $475.00 as 98)
15c Gray (514). Mint N.H., rich color, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforations all around, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,050.00). Only two have been graded higher
30c Orange Red (516). Mint N.H. block of four, vibrant color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as singles
50c Red Violet (517). Mint N.H., brilliant color, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $575.00)
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Mint N.H., perfectly balanced margins, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,650.00)
2c Carmine (519). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine (519). Block of four and vertical pair with selvage at bottom, originally forming an imprint and plate no. 4856 block of six, five stamps Mint N.H., bottom stamp of pair lightly hinged, radiant color, some perf separations, Fine-Very Fine, scarce, Scott Retail as singles
2c Carmine (519). Left imprint and plate no. 4818 block of six with wide selvage and siderographers' initials, center stamps Mint N.H., top and bottom stamps lightly hinged, brilliant color, few perf separations at left in selvage expertly reinforced, light diagonal crease in selvage at lower left, Fine appearance, a scarce plate block, with 1976 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H., rich colors, tiny perf tear at top left, appears Fine
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Attractively centered, vivid frame color, Very Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. pair with centerline and arrow at left, deep rich color, wide margins and choice centering, top stamp with small natural inclusion in top margin, Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as singles with no premium for the position
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. block of four with horizontal guide line, well-centered, marvelous colors on bright paper, natural thin-line vertical gum skip of little consequenceVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE.
The top left stamp is particularly noteworthy for its margins and centering. We have offered only two other Mint N.H. blocks in the last 10 years.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. singles
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Brilliant colors and crisp impressions, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, neat strikes of Detroit Mich. registry oval cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $880.00 as 95, $1,700.00 as 98), only two have graded higher and only two share this grade
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Guide line at bottom, Jumbo margins and beautifully centered, bright frame color and intense vignette shade, neat double oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem
$5.00 Deep Green & Black (524). Mint N.H., almost perfectly centered, guide line at left, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. VI (528A). Block of fourteen with plate no. 11703 at right, natural s.e. at left, extra wide selvage with unusual captured portion of plate no. at top from another pane, ten stamps Mint N.H., left four stamps small h.r., radiant color, Fine, unusual multiple
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Huge margins, brilliant color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine, scarce in used condition, with 2012 P.F. certificate
3c Red Violet (537c). Right plate no. 9413 block of six, accompanying certificate states "never hinged, the top right stamp with a natural gum disturbance", rich color, Very Fine, this shade is especially difficult to obtain in block form, this is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (539). Block of four, lightly hinged, radiant color, typical centering for multiples of this difficult issueFINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1919 2-CENT TYPE II ROTARY PRESS WASTE ISSUE.
At the beginning or end of a coil-stamp print run from the 170-subject rotary plates, some leading or trailing paper was left over that was too short for rolling into 500-stamp rolls. In 1919 the Bureau devised an economical plan to salvage this waste by converting the leftovers from coil stamps into sheet stamps. This was accomplished by cutting the sheets into panes and running them through the flat-plate perforator for the horizontal perforations, giving the stamps perforations on all sides. The Type III design was far more plentiful (producing Scott 540) but a small number of Type II (Scott 539) was also produced.
Since Scott 539 was put through two different perforating machines (perforated 10 vertically on the rotary perforator during the coil part of production and then perforated 11 on the flat plate perforator), most of the stamps are off-center. The rotary press sheets also had a natural tendency to curl, making perforating on the flat plate perforator especially difficult.
With copy of 1973 P.F. certificate.
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (539). Top plate no. 7463 and "S 20" block of four, lightly hinged, brilliant color, typical centering for plate blocks of this issue, tiny hole near top of selvage at upper leftFINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1919 2-CENT TYPE II ROTARY PRESS WASTE ISSUE.
At the beginning or end of a coil-stamp print run from the 170-subject rotary plates, some leading or trailing paper was left over that was too short for rolling into 500-stamp rolls. In 1919 the Bureau devised an economical plan to salvage this waste by converting the leftovers from coil stamps into sheet stamps. This was accomplished by cutting the sheets into panes and running them through the flat-plate perforator for the horizontal perforations, giving the stamps perforations on all sides. The Type III design was far more plentiful (producing Scott 540) but a small number of Type II (Scott 539) was also produced.
Since Scott 539 was put through two different perforating machines (perforated 10 vertically on the rotary perforator during the coil part of production and then perforated 11 on the flat plate perforator), most of the stamps are off-center. The rotary press sheets also had a natural tendency to curl, making perforating on the flat plate perforator especially difficult.
Power Search contains only three unduplicated plate blocks of this issue. The last we offered was in 2002; prior to that one has to go to our 1989 Rarities sale to find the plate block offered here.
With 1989 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. III, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (540). Mint N.H. top inverted "S 30" and plate no. 10471 block of eight, brilliant color, typical centering for multiples of this issue, Fine, stamp under the inverted "S 30" with blue backstamp
$2.00 Carmine & Black (547). Mint N.H., rich colors and proof-like impressions, gorgeous centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 CARMINE AND BLACK, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and four others share it.
5c Pilgrim Tercentenary (550). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 12427 block of six, exceptionally nice centering, Very Fine
5c Pilgrim Tercentenary (550). Mint N.H. wide right plate no. 12427 block of six, intense color on clean paper, Fine-Very Fine