Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — Special Delivery (Scott E1-E10)
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Top right corner imprint and plate no. 495 block of ten with unusually wide selvage, natural s.e. with part arrow at left, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, few minor perf separations expertly reinforcedVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 1885 FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) are extremely rare in plate block form. We believe the 1885 Issue, E1, is the rarest of the group with perhaps 5-7 known (including one pane). This and the one in our recent Curtis sale are the only imprint and plate number blocks to appear in Power Search.
Scott Retail as plate block of eight and two singles
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 552 block of eight with wide selvage, intense shade and impression, natural s.e. at right, two stamps each have a trivial tiny toned speckVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 1888 SECOND SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. THIS IS THE FIRST IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) is rare in plate block form. There are perhaps ten known of the 1888 Issue, E2, and this well-centered Mint N.H. wide-bottom plate block is without question one of the finest known.
10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Bottom right corner imprint and plate no. 552 block of ten, natural s.e. at left, the plate block of eight Mint N.H., few perfs at left expertly reinforced so those superfluous singles considered hinged (they also have a light bend), vibrant colorFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT 1893 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, WITH THE PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION. A PHENOMENAL PLATE BLOCK.
Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) is rare in plate block form. There are perhaps a dozen known of the 1893 Issue, Scott E3, which is an extension of the Columbian Issue commemoratives. Power Search located only three other examples, and one of those is faulty. None are Mint N.H.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. plate block of eight and two hinged singles
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Top imprint and plate no. 77 block of six with pressmen's initials at left, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, perf separations rejoined at top right causing slight perf discolorationFINE-VERY FINE CENTERING. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. VERY FEW PLATE BLOCKS ARE KNOWN.
Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) is rare in plate block form. There are perhaps a dozen known of the 1894 Issue, E4. Only one plate number was used for this issue -- Plate 77.
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E5). Top imprint and plate no. 1257 bock of six with wide selvage, stamps Mint N.H., lightly hinged in gummed part of selvage, intense shade and impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
Scarce and desirable with such wide top selvage.
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Bottom imprint and plate no. 1775 block of six, original gum, few light hinge marks, brilliant color, Fine-Very Fine
10c Green, Special Delivery (E7). Right imprint and plate no. 4920 block of six with wide selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, Very Fine and attractive plate bock
10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E8). Bottom imprint and plate no. 5520 block of six, original gum, bottom stamps and selvage Mint N.H., radiant color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine
10c Ultramarine (E9). Bottom plate no. 5857 block of six, five stamps Mint N.H., top center stamp lightly hinged, bright color, Very Fine
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Top plate no. 6049 block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., bottom left and bottom center lightly hinged, rich color and detailed impression, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, we have offered five others since 2013, but none in the prior 20 years