Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — Postage Due with 1879 American Bank Note Co. Special Printing (Scott J1-J14)
1c Brown (J1). Top imprint and plate no. 314 block of ten, nine stamps Mint N.H., top left stamp lightly hinged, radiant color, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail $2,430.00 as singles, value as a hinged plate block
2c Brown (J2). Mint N.H., wonderfully fresh with bright color, wide almost perfectly balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 2-CENT BROWN POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
Ex "Vineyard". With 1997, 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded in the P.S.E. Population Report and it is shared by only one other
1c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J8). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful intense shade and sharp proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FEW KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle No. 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures. For the 1c, Mooz estimates 500 sold, but it is possible that as many as 400 purchased by G. B. Calman were destroyed. It is widely accepted that nearly 9,000 1c stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues.
A Power Search review found only one other stamp that rivals the quality of this choice original-gum stamp (there are none in the P.S.E. Population Report).
With 1999 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Unused (no gum), well-centered for this difficult issue, cameo as typical for genuine examples, thinning at bottom left, single short perf at top rightVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The reported sale figures for the rare 1c, 2c and 3c Postage Due Special Printings probably include orders filled with regular stamps, as all three are far rarer than the reported sales numbers would suggest
3c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Slightly disturbed original gum, h.r., rich color and proof-like impression of the Special Printings, choice centering, small scuff at right, slight gum soaks in perf tipsEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS THE RAREST POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
Although 436 copies were reported sold, it is believed that 100 copies were destroyed in the Calman lot. A thorough search of the marketplace, combined with conversations with dealers and collectors, has confirmed the extreme rarity of this stamp.
5c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J11). Original gum, h.r., rich color, small flaws incl. thin spots and some gum soaks at topFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J12). Slightly disturbed original gum, well-centered, classic Special Printing shade and cameo, couple small thins spotsVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THIS POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING RARITY.
It has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. With 1959 P.F. certificate issued to Robert A. Siegel
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Unused (no gum), proof-like impression on bright paper, nicely centered, diagonal crease and tiny thinVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. The vast majority of surviving examples are faulty
50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression of the Special Printing, nicely balanced marginsVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
Ex Floyd. With 1968 and 1995 P.F. certificates