Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — Washington-Franklins and Later 20th Century Issues (Scott 339-599A)
13c Blue Green (339). Precise centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color, two strikes of town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used example of this issue which would be extremely difficult to improve upon, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $625.00), this is the highest grade awarded and none share this desirable grade
1c Green, Bluish (357). Deep shade on nicely blued paper, neat cancel, choice centering, Extremely Fine, a beautiful used example of this issue, with 1983 and 2008 P.F. certificates
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Deep rich color on nicely blued paper, light strike of wavy-line machine cancel, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER IS THE RAREST OF THE REGULARLY ISSUED BLUISH PAPERS IN USED CONDITION. ONLY FOUR USED EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.
A total of ten sheets of 400 (4,000 stamps) were printed, then divided into 40 panes of 100. A quantity was inadvertently distributed to various post offices, including the post office in New York.
Our census of Scott 359 in used condition, available at http://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/359 , records three copies plus one on cover. A fifth off-cover example needs to be reexamined for authenticity. This makes it as rare, or rarer, than the 5c Bluish Paper in used condition, which catalogues significantly higher.
Census no. 359-CAN-04. Ex Bakwin. With 2008 and 2014 P.F. certificates.
WITHDRAWN FROM SALE - THE CANCEL IS NOT GENUINE.
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Vibrant color on nicely blued paper, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, duplex cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. ONLY 13 OFF-COVER EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, AND THIS MAY WELL BE THE FINEST.
Our census of Scott 364 used, available at http://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/364 , records 13 genuine off-cover examples, plus three others used on covers. Virtually all are either faulty or off-center to some degree.
Ex Collier. With 1995 P.S.E. and 1996, 2003 and 2009 P.F. certificates. 2002 P.F. certificate noting a small surface scrape at top left no longer accompanies, we see no evidence of this under extreme magnification, the P.F. has issued two subsequent certificates also agreeing that this is sound.
WITHDRAWN - HAS 1991 PF CERTIFICATE NUMBER 245627 AS ORIGINAL GUM
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Bright color on nicely blued paper, unobtrusive cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE LIGHTLY CANCELLED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT BLUISH PAPER ISSUE.
With 2003 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Rich color on deeply blued paper, wide margins, bold wavy-line machine cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. ONLY TEN USED COPIES ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS, AND ONLY TWO ARE CONFIRMED AS SOUND. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
According to Johl, the 15c stamps were discovered in the post office in Buffalo N.Y. The rarity of the 15c on Bluish in used condition is often overlooked by collectors, probably because it is fairly plentiful in unused condition. Our census, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/US/Scott/366 , records only ten used copies. No on-cover uses are known. Of the confirmed copies only two are sound. Two have not been examined in a long time and so their condition is unknown.
Census no. 366-CAN-04. With 2019 P.F. certificate. 1999 P.F. certificate no. 341111 stating "it is genuine" no longer accompanies.
2c Lincoln, Bluish (369). Brilliant color on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a surprisingly difficult issue to find in higher grades in used condition, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,000.00), only one has graded higher (at 98) and only six others share this grade
2c Carmine, Lincoln, Bluish (369). Rich color on nicely blued paper, wide margins, neat wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1987 and 2003 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Alaska-Yukon (370). Brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering with unusually wide margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $300.00), only one grades higher (at 98J)
8c Olive Green (380). Pretty shade on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $875.00), only one grades higher and three share this grade
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Intense shade and impression, neat strike of (Willimantic?) Conn. double-oval cancel, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $750.00), only one grades higher (at 98J) and none share this desirable grade
1c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (401). Bright shade and crisp impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, neat wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $325.00), only three grade higher
1c Green (405). Rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $500.00)
2c Lake (406c). Intense color in the true Lake shade, bright paper, wavy-line machine cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY CERTIFIED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1912 2-CENT IN THE LAKE SHADE. A GREAT RARITY OF THE ISSUE.
Through an error at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a small quantity of this stamp was erroneously printed using the inks in use at the time for the Postage Due issues. The Philatelic Foundation has certified approximately a dozen unused copies and this sole used example.
Ex "Natalee Grace". With 2003 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates
15c Gray (418). Rich color, wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $500.00), only five grade higher
50c Violet (421). Pretty shade, neat strike of San Diego registry oval cancel, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $950.00), only two grade higher (at 98J) and only one other shares this grade
4c Brown (427). Brilliant color on bright paper, perfect centering with Jumbo margins, neat duplex oval grid cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $475.00), only three grade higher and two others share this grade
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, bold strikes of Louisville Ky. registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
12c Claret Brown (474). Wide margins and near perfect centering, rich color on bright white paper, indistinct cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2011 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $500.00), only two grade higher and one shares this grade
$2.00 Dark Blue (479). Intense shade and impression, light strikes of registry oval and purple cancels, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Joint line pair, crisp impression, duplex cancels at top leave design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST JOINT LINE PAIRS OF THE 2-CENT ROTARY TYPE II, SCOTT 491. OUR CENSUS CONTAINS ONLY 12 USED JOINT LINE MULTIPLES.
Unlike many other issues, the horizontal rotary coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
Our census of used joint line multiples of Scott 491, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/491 , records 10 joint line pairs, plus joint line strips of three and five. As this pair shows, it is impossible to apply numerical grading standards to joint line pairs of this issue, because the subjects on the plate were not perfectly aligned. Most are off-center, either top to bottom or side to side, or both. At least four also have faults.
Census no. 491-CAN-LP-05. With 1971 A.P.S., 1990 P.S.E. and 1991 and 2010 P.F. certificates.
3c Dark Violet, Ty. II, Double Impression (502d). Incredibly well-centered, light strike of Ohio registry oval at bottom left and part of circular datestamp at top right, doubling very noticeable in side frame lines and in letteringEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1917 3-CENT ISSUE WITH A PRONOUNCED DOUBLE IMPRESSION. A RARE STAMP IN USED CONDITION.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ). This is the only graded example of this scarce issue.
5c Rose, Error (505). Radiant color, face-free strike of duplex cancel, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate
5c Rose, Error (505). Single error in horizontal strip of three, radiant color, choice centering, light strike of duplex cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. certificate, Scott value as single error
$1.00 Deep Brown (518b). Rich color in the true Deep Brown shade, detailed impression, wide margins, bold strike of Sandusky Ohio registry oval cancel and purple cancels, Very Fine and choice, according to Johl a small number of stamps were printed in this distinctive shade early in the issue, during the course of the six years that the stamp was current all other printings were made in the Violet Brown shade, used examples of this shade are scarce, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine (519). Bright color, wide margins, neat cancel at left, Very Fine and choice, scarce in used condition, with 1984 and 2002 P.F. certificates
$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Bright color, wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Purple, Ty. IV, Double Impression (530a). Showing clear doubling of the entire design, choice centering, wavy-line machine cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate (XF 90), our census of Scott 530a, records approximately 141 unused copies (including a pane of 100), five used and two on cover, Census no. 530a-CAN-05, with 2019 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Large margins all around including bottom sheet margin, bold strike of slogan machine cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE.
Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1986 and 2001 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Huge margins to large including left sheet margin, bright color, neat strike of "Evanston Ill. Jun. 4 5PM 1922" wavy-line machine cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SHEET-MARGIN PAIR OF THE 2-CENT TYPE VII IMPERFORATE OFFSET ISSUE, SCOTT 534B. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE CONTEMPORARY YEAR-DATED CANCELLATION.
Most Type VII stamps were used by private vending and affixing-machine companies. However, unlike Scott 314A and 482A, a small supply of the imperforate 2c Type VII stamps did reach the public.
With 1964, 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
2c Carmine, Ty. VII, Imperforate (534B). Block of four, huge margins to full including top sheet margin, bright color, two neat strikes of Waukegan Ill. double-oval cancelsVERY FINE. A RARE USED SHEET-MARGIN BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT TYPE VII OFFSET IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
Our informal review of auction catalogues and the records of The Philatelic Foundation found four blocks of four and nine pairs, of which only four are sound. We have offered only one other used block since our 2001 Twigg-Smith sale.
With 1983 and 2007 P.F. certificates. Scott value as two pairs
3c Deep Violet (537a). Rich color on bright paper, better centering than normally seen on this issue, bold "Salem Ohio" precancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate for block
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (539). Radiant color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, nicely centered for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE II ROTARY PERF 11 x 10. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST COIL WASTE STAMPS IN USED CONDITION. ONLY FOURTEEN USED SINGLES ARE KNOWN.
Since Scott 539 was put through two different perforating machines (perforated 10 vertically on the rotary perforator during the coil part of production and then perforated 11 on the flat plate perforator), most of the stamps are off-center. The rotary press sheets also had a natural tendency to curl, making perforating on the flat plate perforator especially difficult.
Our census of Scott 539, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census//us/scott/539 , records only fourteen used singles, one used block of four and one on cover. Most are off-center.
Census no. 539-CAN-07. 1969 and 1978 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. With 1998 and 2019 P.F. certificates
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (544). Lightly cancelled, extraordinarily well-centered, deep shadeEXTREMELY FINE AND VERY RARE. ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 1923 1-CENT ROTARY PERF 11, SCOTT 544.
A small quantity of 1c Rotary Press stamps was perforated 11 at the end of 1922, using remainder sheets from the earlier printings that were normally perforated in 10 gauge or 11/10 compound gauge. Its existence as a Perf 11 variety was discovered in 1936, and the stamp received its Scott catalogue listing in 1938.
Most of the recorded used copies of Scott 544 are poorly centered. This well-centered, lightly cancelled stamp is an extreme rarity. With 1990 and 2003 P.F. certificates
1c Green, 2c Carmine Rose (545-546). Rich colors, choice centering, machine cancels, Extremely Fine and attractive, with 1993 and 1997 P.F. certificates respectively
1c Green, 2c Carmine, Rotary (578-579). Bright colors, choice centering, each with neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2002 and 2005 P.F. certificate respectively
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (594). Deep rich color and extraordinarily well-centered with wide margins all around, bold machine cancelEXTREMELY FINE. ONLY A FEW SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE 1923 ONE-CENT ROTARY PERF 11 ISSUE ARE KNOWN. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE. A PHENOMENAL CONDITION RARITY.
The 1c Green, Scott 594, is waste from a horizontal rotary printing used to make coils. At the beginning or end of a coil-stamp print run from the 170-subject rotary plates, some leading or trailing paper was produced that was too short for rolling into 500-stamp rolls. In 1919 the Bureau devised a plan to salvage this waste by perforating and cutting the sheets into panes. They were put through the 11-gauge flat plate perforator in use at the time, giving the sheets full perforations on all sides. The existence of Scott 594 was not reported until four months after the final sheets were delivered, and the 1c Rotary Perf 11 was soon recognized as one of the rarest United States stamps.
Our census of Scott 594, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/594 , contains 98 used singles, 6 stamps in 3 used pairs, and 6 stamps on 5 covers (one with a pair) for a total of 110 used stamps. Another 19 unused stamps are recorded. Many have perforations cutting in on one or more sides, or have faults. This example, in centered and sound condition, is a great rarity and among a handful of the finest copies.
Census no. 594-CAN-05. Ex Klein and Zoellner. With 1975 and 1998 P.F. certificates.
2c Harding, Rotary, Perf 11 (613). Intense shade and impression, attractive centering with three wide margins and intact perfs at left with part of adjoining stamp, neat machine cancelFRESH AND VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT HARDING ROTARY PERF 11, WHICH IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL 20TH CENTURY ISSUES. ONLY 50 ARE RECORDED.
Warren G. Harding, the 29th President, died in San Francisco on August 2, 1923, during a cross-country "Voyage of Understanding". Several people suggested a Harding memorial stamp, printed in black, and it was rushed into production. The first flat plate printing (Scott 610) was issued on September 1, 1923, in his home town of Marion, Ohio, followed less than two weeks later by the normal Perf 10 rotary press printing (Scott 612) on September 12.
The 2c Harding Rotary Perf 11 stamp was discovered in 1938 by Leslie Lewis of the New York firm, Stanley Gibbons Inc. Gary Griffith presents his hypothesis in United States Stamps 1922-26 that rotary-printed sheets of 400 were first reduced to panes of 100 and then fed through the 11-gauge perforating machine normally used for flat plate sheets. This method explains the existence of a straight-edge on Scott 613. Production quality and quantity was very low, due to the rotary press stamps' natural tendency to curl, and the use of the flat plate perforator for the slightly different-sized rotary printing.
Our census of the 2c Harding Rotary Perf 11, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/613 , records 45 used singles (one faintly cancelled, if at all), one used pair and the used strip of three, for a total of 50 stamps. Of the singles, 22 are confirmed as sound, but of these only six rate a grade of Very Fine or Extremely Fine. The example offered here, in sound condition with three wide margins, is highly desirable.
Census no. 613-CAN-46. With 2006 P.F. certificate.
2c Carmine, Rotary, Perf 11 (595). Uncommonly wide margins for this Coil Waste issue and essentially perfectly centered, rich color, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a scarce stamp in any genuine used condition, this is truly a condition rarity, with 2008 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), this is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and is equaled by no others, by way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only two used examples above a 90 (both at 95J)
2c Carmine, Joint Line Pair, Ty. I, II (599-599A). Joint line strip of four, right stamps Ty. II, deep rich color and well-centered, Washington D.C. duplex cancels, Very Fine and choice, the line pair is particularly nice, with 2009 P.F. certificate, Scott value for the combination line pair without premium for the end stamps