Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1916-17 Issues (Scott 462-480)
2c Carmine, Ty. I (463). Mint N.H., brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $740.00), only three have graded higher to date
3c Violet (464). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT WASHINGTON, SCOTT 464.
With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,700.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 95J) and only eight others share this grade.
3c Violet (464). Mint N.H., well-balanced margins, pretty shade, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown (465). Mint N.H. with plate no. 7348 and wide selvage at top, rich color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $360.00)
5c Blue (466). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, unusually wide margins which are perfectly balancedEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED ISSUE, SCOTT 466, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONLY ONE OTHER SHARES THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,650.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this lofty grade.
5c Blue (466). Mint N.H., brilliant color, unusually choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THIS UNUSUALLY WIDE-MARGINED STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1993 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,700.00 as 95, $5,650.00 as 98). Only two have graded higher to date (one of which is offered in the previous lot)
7c Black (469). Mint N.H., intense shade and remarkably detailed impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $8,350.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only two others share this grade.
8c Olive Green (470). Mint N.H., pretty pastel shade which is as fresh as the day it was printed, perfect centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMAKED ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2003 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date, and only six others share this grade.
11c Dark Green (473). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED 11-CENT FRANKLIN, SCOTT 473. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,850.00). Only two have graded higher to date and only three others share this desirable grade.
11c Dark Green (473). Mint N.H. block of four, choice margins, well-centered, especially bottom left stamp, top left light natural paper crease, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as four Mint N.H. singles
15c Gray (475). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1992 and 1998 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,750.00 as 95, $10,500.00 as 98). Only three have graded higher to date (all at 98) and only one other shares this grade.
15c Gray (475). Choice large margins and exceptional centering, lovely pastel color, lightly hinged, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $580.00)
15c Gray (475). Essentially perfectly centered, lovely pastel color on fresh paper, barely hinged, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
20c Light Ultramarine (476). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXISTING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 20-CENT UNWATERMARKED PERF 10 ISSUE, SCOTT 476. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS EARNED THE LOFTY GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
Ex Killien and Scarsdale. With 1985 and 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $11,200.00). Only one other shares this grade. This statistic has not changed since we offered this in our Scarsdale sale in March 2007.
50c Light Violet (477). Mint N.H., beautiful bright color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT PERF 10 FRANKLIN ISSUE ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONLY ONE OTHER HAS ACHIEVED THIS DESIRABLE AND HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER GRADE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $31,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other has achieved this grade.
50c Light Violet (477). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT PERF 10 FRANKLIN ISSUE ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Odeneal. With 1996 and 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $13,600.00). Only two have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.
$1.00 Violet Black (478). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression which shows every minute detail of the design, magnificent centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE $1.00 PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED FRANKLIN ISSUE. THIS SPECIAL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
This stamp was used for less than six months before the Perf 11 stamps were produced. Due to its short production run and the only difference between this and the previous $1.00 issue (Scott 460) being the watermark, many collectors and dealers of the day overlooked this issue. It is especially scarce with such perfect centering.
With 1987 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $27,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. A comparison with other dollar-value Franklins also confirms that this is one of the scarcest to obtain in such a high grade. Scott 423 equals this one, with only one in the P.S.E. Population Report report. Scott 460 has five graded at 98, and Scott 518 is the easiest to obtain in high grades.
$1.00 Violet Black (478). Mint N.H., perfect centering with wide and well-balanced margins, intense color and impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED FRANKLIN ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95. ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE IN THE P.S.E. POPULATION REPORT.
This issue was in use for less than six months before the Perf 11 stamps were produced. Due to its short production run and it differing from the previous $1.00 issue (Scott 460) only by its lack of a watermark, many collectors and dealers of the day overlooked this issue. It is especially scarce with such perfect centering.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $10,800.00). Only one has graded higher to date (offered in the previous lot), and only nine others share this desirable grade.
$1.00 Violet Black (478). Lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $1,100.00)
$1.00 Violet Black (478). Mint N.H. top imprint, "A", and plate no. 5782 block of six with wide selvage, deep dark color and sharp proof-like impression, remarkably post-office fresh and intactEXTREMELY FINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE $1.00 PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED FRANKLIN ISSUE WITH WIDE TOP SELVAGE.
Plate blocks of Scott 478 are extremely rare, especially in Mint N.H. condition. A review of important plate block collections turned up very few. The only other Mint N.H. plate block we were able to locate was sold in our sale of the Silver Lake collection, but it is not centered as well as the Mint N.H. plate block offered here.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate.
$2.00 Dark Blue (479). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, almost mathematically perfect balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THE 1917 $2.00 MADISON PERF 10, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,250.00). Only one example of this issue has been graded higher, while only six others share this grade.
$2.00 Dark Blue (479). Mint N.H., wonderfully well-centered, fresh, deep shade, Extremely Fine, with photocopy of 1988 P.F. certificate for block
$2.00 Dark Blue (479). Magnificent precise centering, lovely margins as well, intense color and clear impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $840.00)
$2.00 Dark Blue (479). Choice margins with absolutely precise centering, intense color and crisp impression, lightly hinged, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $840.00), according to the P.S.E. Population Report this is one of only four hinged No. 479's to have been awarded this high grade with none higher
$5.00 Light Green (480). Mint N.H., beautiful margins and attractive centering, vivid color and clear impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $640.00)
$5.00 Light Green (480). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 8016 block of six, Fine-Very Fine, an attractive and scarce plate block in post-office fresh condition, with 2004 P.F. certificate