Sale 968B — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Three: 1902-34 Issues, B-O-B
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 22-25 September, 2009
Category — 1904 Louisiana Purchase, Jamestown Issues (Scott 323-330)
1c Louisiana Purchase (323). Mint N.H. with wide plate no. 2131 selvage at top, deep rich color on fresh paper, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $560.00)
2c Louisiana Purchase (324). Mint N.H., fiery color, beautiful centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, the tightly-spaced plates of the Louisiana Purchase issue produced very few stamps which can be graded 95, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $560.00), only four have graded higher to date
2c Louisiana Purchase, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (324a). Well-centered, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
It is believed that only one pane of 50 was found in the mid-west. This intact pane was originally in the Worthington collection. After the Worthington sale it was broken into pairs and blocks of four.
Ex Blumenkopf (Siegel Sale 826). With 1997 P.F. certificate. Power Search shows very few of these rarities -- apart from this one, last offered in 2000, the next we find was in the 1990 Rarities sale
3c Louisiana Purchase (325). Mint N.H., beautiful deep color and proof-like impression, wide margins, almost perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1991 P.F. certificate for a block, with 1997 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,650.00). Only one example has graded higher to date
5c Louisiana Purchase (326). Mint N.H., enormous top sheet selvage with plate no. 2099, proof-like impression in intense Dark Blue shade, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY STAMP TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
According to Johl (Volume 1), the Louisiana Purchase stamps were not popular with the public or collectors when they were issued -- due to their larger size and unfavorable comparisons to the designs of the previous 1901 Pan-American stamps. As a result, fewer were saved.
With 1995 P.F. certificate for a block, with 1997 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; not priced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $7,500.00 as 98). This is the only 5c Louisiana Purchase stamp to have achieved this grade in the P.S.E. Population Report
10c Louisiana Purchase (327). Mint N.H., deep shade, crisp impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
1c Jamestown (328). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 3540, intense color and clear impression, wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT JAMESTOWN ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1986 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,250.00). Only one stamp has graded higher to date
5c Jamestown (330). Mint N.H. with full imprint selvage at top, choice centering, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine, especially desirable with the full Bureau, Engraving & Printing imprint, with 1984 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $670.00)