Sale 946 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday, 12 November, 2007
Category — Postage Due
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Original gum, lightly hingedFINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 2-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.
With 1971 P.F. certificate
5c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J11). Unused (no gum), bright color, rounded top left cornerA RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1958 P.F. certificate
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J12). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp proof-like impression on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 10-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1984 P.F. certificate
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J12). Unused (no gum), well-centered with incredibly wide margins, bright color, small thin spotEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 10-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1971 P.F. certificate
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Original gum, radiant color and detailed impressionVERY FINE 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 original-gum examples are faulty.
With 1971 P.F. certificate
50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Original gum, fresh color and clear impression, reperfed at rightFINE APPEARING 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.
With 1968 P.F. certificate
10c Red Brown (J19). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully centered with incredibly deep rich color, sharp impression, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,100.00)
30c Red Brown (J20). Mint N.H., wonderfully fresh and crisp, attractively centered, Very Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
10c Bright Claret (J26). Mint N.H., choice margins and almost perfect centering, lovely bright color, fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00), this stamp certainly merits a 95 grade
30c Bright Claret (J27). Original gum, lightly hinged, gorgeous margins and centering, lovely bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,750.00), there are only four examples in this grade (one NH), none higher either hinged or NH
2c Vermilion (J30). Original gum, wonderfully fresh and bright, well-centered and nice margins for this typically narrow-margined Postage Due, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,450.00), in our opinion a 95 grade, this is unquestionably on the plus side of 90,
50c Deep Claret (J37). Original gum, h.r., three wide margins, couple pencil notes on back, fresh and Fine
5c Deep Claret (J48). Mint N.H., brilliant shade, beautiful centering, Very Fine and choice, with 1987 P.F. certificate
50c Deep Claret (J50). Original gum, fresh and bright, Very Fine a scarce stamp, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Dull Rose (J52a). Mint N.H., bright fresh color, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
5c Dull Rose (J55a). Mint N.H., fresh and bright, very well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $355.00)
30c Carmine Lake (J57). Mint N.H., attractive margins and nicely centered, wonderful deep rich color, Very Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Original gum with discolored area from hinge on gum, brilliant color on bright paper, small thin spots at bottomFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 1914 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
Scott No. J58 has the highest catalogue value of any regularly issued Postage Due stamp. Only the 1c and 3c Special Printings, Scott Nos. J8 and J10, catalogue higher, at $20,000.00 each.
1c Rose (J59). Lightly hinged, bright color, light vertical creases and tiny natural inclusion, otherwise Fine, a very attractive example of this rare Postage Due stamp, with 2007 P.F. certificate
2c Rose (J60). Mint N.H., gorgeous Jumbo margins and almost perfectly centered, wonderful color, fresh and brightEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 2-CENT ROSE PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
The unwatermarked Perf 10 Postage Due stamps (Scott J59 and J60) were only in production for a short period of time before being replaced by the Perf 11 stamps.
Ex Floyd. With 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,400.00 for 95, $4,100.00 for 98). This example and one other (hinged) are the only two recorded in this grade, and there is only one other which grades higher (ex Scarsdale).
2c Rose (J60). Lightly hinged, Jumbo margins and almost perfectly centered, vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $710.00 for 95, $1,150.00 for 98), this is the other example that shares this grade with the never-hinged stamp in the preceding lot, only one (NH) graded higher by P.S.E.
10c Deep Claret (J65b). Mint N.H., beautiful margins and essentially perfectly centered, fresh, marvelous deep color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $420.00)
10c Carmine (J74). Mint N.H., choice balanced margins, bright color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $180.00)