Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1912-14 Washington-Franklin Issue (Scott 405-423)
2c Carmine, Double Impression (406b). Block of four, trivial adherence, the partial double impression is in the center of the block and is shared by all four stamps, perfs slightly in at right as presumably are all the other few surviving examplesA MAJOR RARITY OF THE WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN PERIOD.
George Brett paid $290 for this item about 40 years ago. Scott Retail listed but unpriced
2c Carmine (406). Mint N.H. brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $245.00 as 95, $960.00 as 98), only five have graded higher to date
7c Black (407). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 6904, exceptionally wide margins for the issue, intense color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate for block
2c Carmine, Coil (413). Mint N.H. guide line pair, bright color, detailed impression showing every nuance of the design, perfect centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 1912 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 413. THIS GUIDE LINE PAIR HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1982 and 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,900.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade to date. One has graded higher.
8c Pale Olive Green (414). Mint N.H., pretty shade on bright paper with selvage at right, unusually choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,200.00 as 95, $4,000 as 98), only five have graded higher to date and only three others share this grade
9c Salmon Red (415). Mint N.H., vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide perfectly balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 9-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1996 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,650.00). This is the only N.H. example to achieve this grade to date.
12c Claret Brown (417). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, post-office fresh paper, mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. A SIMPLY STUNNING STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $4,400.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade.
12c Claret Brown (417). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Scarsdale, with 2001 P.F. certificate
12c Claret Brown (417). Bold strike of New York registry oval cancel, deep rich color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 2003 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $50.00 as 90, $175.00 as 95), only four used examples have graded higher to date with this example the only one to grade 90J
20c Ultramarine (419). Mint N.H., balanced margins, delightful color, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate
30c Orange Red (420). Mint N.H., vibrant color on post-office fresh paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,450.00)
50c Violet (421). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $19,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade.
50c Violet (421). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright white paper, almost perfect centering with extra wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 50-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $7,350.00). Only four examples have been graded higher by P.S.E. to date.
50c Violet (421). Pretty shade, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $560.00)
50c Violet (422). Attractive margins and centering, rich color, fresh, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $335.00)
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Lightly hinged, exceptionally well-centered with wide margins, intense color and detailed impression on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE $1.00 PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE IS RARELY ENCOUNTERED WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND PERFECT CENTERING.
This issue occasionally comes with wide margins, but is rarely found with such wonderful centering. In fact, according to the P.S.E. Population Report, this is one of two Superb 98's, which rank as the highest graded examples.
With 2003 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98, SMQ $3,050.00)
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Barest trace of hinging, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $840.00)
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Exceptionally well-centered, lovely margins and intense color, lightly hinged, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $660.00)
$1.00 Violet Brown (423). Attractive and balanced margins, strong color, lightly hinged, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $660.00)