Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1910-13 Washington-Franklin Issue (Scott 374-396)
2c Carmine (375). Enormous perfectly balanced Jumbo margins, wonderful deep rich color, machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $280.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade)
2c Lake (375b). Barely hinged, incredible depth of color, Fine and very scarce, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
3c Deep Violet (376). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT DEEP VIOLET, SCOTT 376, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,100.00). Only four others share this grade and only one has graded higher to date.
3c Deep Violet (376). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $580.00 as 95, $2,100.00 as 98), only six have graded higher to date
3c Deep Violet (376). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a spectacular Jumbo, with 2000 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo)
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H., with plate no. 5570 at top, rich color and proof-like impression on post office-fresh paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK PERF 12 ISSUE, SCOTT 377, GRADED 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificates as part of a block of six and as a single (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $3,200.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to date and only four others share this grade.
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with huge margins, intense shade and impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A WONDERFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK PERF 12 ISSUE, SCOTT 377, GRADED 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,200.00). Only five have graded higher to date (each 98J). This is the only example graded 98.
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H. with plate no. 6025 at bottom, Jumbo margins, intense shade and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, ex Scarsdale, with 1995 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00 as 95, $3,200.00 as 98)
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on post office-fresh paper, enormous margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00 as 95, $3,200.00 as 98), only six have graded higher to date.
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H., deep rich color, huge balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H., precise centering, deep rich color on fresh white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00)
6c Red Orange (379). Mint N.H., wonderfully wide margins and near perfect centering, lovely bright pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (381). Mint N.H., uncommonly wide margins and near perfect centering, fabulous glowing color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow (381). Mint N.H. top imprint, star and plate no. 5213 block of six, vivid color as fresh as the day it was printed, accompanying certificate notes "slight gum disturbance line on the bottom right pair" which is virtually undetectable and would never have been called if submitted as previously hinged, Very Fine, a beautiful plate block, surprisingly scarce, this is only the fourth Mint N.H. plate block we have offered since keeping computerized records and only the second from the top position, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
15c Pale Ultramarine (382). Mint N.H., beautiful margins and exceptional centering, delightful pastel color, Extremely Fine, we believe this would have graded 90 if not for the tiny natural inclusion in top margin, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,050.00)
15c Pale Ultramarine (382). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 4954 block of six, brilliant color, choice centeringFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 15-CENT 1911 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED WASHINGTON ISSUE. VERY FEW EXIST IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Mint N.H. guide line pair, attractively centered with beautiful wide imperforate margins, outstanding dark shade, Very Fine and choice, with 2006 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,350.00)
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Mint N.H. pair, 3mm spacing, exceptional centering, beautiful color, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Guide line pair, barely cancelled, Fine and scarce, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Rich color, wide margins, unobtrusive straightline town cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $195.00)
4c Brown, Coil (395). Joint line pair, deep rich color, barely hinged, Fine-Very Fine, attractive, with 1986 P.F. certificate