Sale 953 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 25-28 March, 2008
Category — 1918-20 Offset Printing Issues (Scott 525-536)
1c Gray Green (525). Mint N.H., brilliant color on blindingly bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $460.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade
1c Gray Green (525). Mint N.H., brilliant color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $110.00 as 95, $460.00 as 98), only three have graded higher to date and only two others share this grade
1c-3c 1918-20 Offset Issue (526-528A, 531-534A, 535). Mint N.H., several perforated wide margins, all imperforates large to huge margins, the Ty. V especially nice, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. IV (526). Mint N.H. with selvage at bottom, brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1920 2-CENT TYPE IV OFFSET PRINTING ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,100.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other has achieved this grade.
2c Carmine, Ty. V (527). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, beautifully centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE TO ACHIEVE THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO FROM P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With1986 and 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,600.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded to date.
2c Carmine, Ty. Va (528). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, huge and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $830.00), only three have graded higher to date and only two others share this grade
2c Carmine, Ty. VI (528A). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed on bright paper, choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,050.00 as 95, $3,150.00 as 98), the is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade
2c Carmine, Ty. VII (528B). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, trivial natural inclusion at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $540.00 as 95, $1,700.00 as 98), only two have graded higher to date
2c Carmine, Ty. VII (528B). Mint N.H., unbelievably wide balanced Jumbo margins, striking intense color, Extremely Fine Gem, incomparable quality, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Violet, Ty. III (529). Mint N.H., bright shade, crisp impression, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $125.00 as 95, $550.00 as 98), only three have graded higher to date and only two others share this grade
3c Purple, Ty. IV (530). Mint N.H., intense color and detailed impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $95.00 as 95, $385.00 as 98), only three have graded higher to date (eleven others share this grade)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. IV, Imperforate (532). Mint N.H., immense Jumbo single showing parts of all eight adjoining stamps, fresh and bright, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 jumbo; SMQ $310.00 as 98, 100 or 100 Jumbo unlisted), this is the highest possible grade attainable for this stamp
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. IV, Imperforate (532). Mint N.H. top arrow block of four, huge margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem block, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate which states "never hinged with tiny gum disturbance on the lower left stamp"
2c Carmine, Ty. V, Imperforate (533). Tiny moisture spot on gum but otherwise never hinged, huge balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with photocopy of 1984 P.F. certificate for block of four (top left stamp), Scott Retail as hinged
2c Carmine, Ty. Va, Imperforate (534). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 12002 block of six, enormous margins other sides, bright and crisp, Extremely Fine Gem plate block, with 2007 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. Va, Imperforate (534). Set of four Mint N.H. plate no. 11433 blocks of six, large margins, brilliant color, Extremely Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Mint N.H., large margins all around, brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printedEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE.
With 1984 and 1999 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Large to enormous margins, deep rich color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 P.F. certificate stating "Never Hinged", however, we are of the opinion that this stamp has been skillfully brushed to remove a hinge mark
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Mint N.H., large balanced margins, unusually intense color, tiny internal tear at center, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1997 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates
1c Gray Green (536). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, long and full perforations all around, perfectly centered with enormous marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1919 ONE-CENT GRAY GREEN PERF 12-1/2 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
With 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,600.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded to date.