Sale 1138 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps, Part 2
Sale Date — Thursday, 6 October, 2016
Category — 1908-12 Issue (Scott 332-355)
2c Carmine (332). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a truly magnificent Gem 100 Jumbo example of this workhorse Washington-Franklin issue, ex Merlin, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $1,150.00 as 100), only three other examples have achieved this perfect grade
3c Deep Violet (333). Mint N.H. with wide top selvage, intense shade and impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown (334). Mint N.H., bright shade and crisp impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,350.00), only three have graded higher and three others share this desirable grade
5c Blue (335). Mint N.H., deep rich color on fresh paper, essentially perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 5-CENT WASHINGTON, SCOTT 335, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Golden Oak". With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to any unused Scott 335 (Mint N.H. or hinged) and it is shared by only four others. There is not even a hinged example that equals this grade
8c Olive Green (337). Mint N.H., pretty pastel shade on crisp paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 8-CENT WASHINGTON, SCOTT 337, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,850.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J) and three others share this grade. This is the first example in this grade we have offered in our auctions. The 98J realized $3,750 hammer in one of our 2013 auctions.
13c Blue Green (339). Mint N.H., deep rich color, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1909 13-CENT WASHINGTON, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four others share it. This is the first example in this grade we have offered in one of our auctions.
15c Pale Ultramarine (340). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with wide and well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only four have graded higher (two 95J and two 98)
50c Violet (341). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforations on all sidesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1909 50-CENT WASHINGTON, SCOTT 341, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
Scott 341 was produced from only one plate, number 4956. Collectors searching for this denomination in higher grades are often frustrated in their search. The margins are often narrow, and production difficulties resulted in many off-center stamps or rejected sheets which were destroyed. This led to the Bluish Paper experiments. The stamp offered here is a true condition rarity.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $14,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. The next-highest grade is 95.
$1.00 Violet Brown (342). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1909 $1.00 WASHINGTON, SCOTT 342. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS OF THE SET TO OBTAIN IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
With 2005 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,750.00). Only three have graded higher (two at 95 and one at 98), and only four others share this grade.
1c Green, Coil (348). Mint N.H. guide line pair, brilliant color and detailed impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 348. EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1981 and 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others shares it
4c Orange Brown, Coil (350). Mint N.H. guide line pair, brilliant color, beautiful centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGEDGUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 4-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 350.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 153), this coil was issued approximately eighteen months after the horizontal coil Scott 354 and was only in use for a short period of time.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Coil (351). Mint N.H. guide line pair, intense color and proof-like impression on bright paper, intact perfs at top and bottom, superior centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 5-CENT PERF 12 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK VERTICAL COIL. ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Interestingly, this is the only 5c Washington-Franklin perforated vertical coil stamp ever produced. Demand proved to be so low that no others were made.
With 2004 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,000.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and four others share this grade.
1c Green, Coil (352). Mint N.H. guide line pair, rich color and detailed impression, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HUGE MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 352.
With 2001 P.F. certificate.
2c Carmine, Coil (353). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT PERF 12 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK HORIZONTAL COIL.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, p. 108), "When the stamps were current, coils were still in small favor with philatelists and as this sidewise type was more popular with users of affixing machines fewer were saved than the endwise coil."
With 2001 P.S.E. and 2003 P.F. certificates
4c Orange Brown, Coil (354). Mint N.H. guide line pair, perfectly centered with wide margins, deep rich color on bright paper, sharp proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 4-CENT 1909 HORIZONTAL COIL. SURPRISINGLY SCARCE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION -- THIS IS THE FINEST WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE 2001.
A review of our computerized records reveals that we have only offered 8-10 unduplicated Mint N.H. guide line pairs in almost 20 years of auctions. Of these, perhaps one other compares favorably to the example offered here.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1978 and 2004 P.F. certificates
5c Blue, Coil (355). Mint N.H. guide line pair, bright color, detailed impression, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 5-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 355.
A review of our computerized records shows that we have on average offered one Mint N.H. guide line pair a year for the past 15 years. Very few of those compare favorably to the example offered here.
With 2000 P.F. certificate