Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — 1898 Spanish-American War, Documentary, Proprietary Revenue Issues
8c Violet Brown, "I.R." Overprint (R156). Clear overprint, intense shade, "M.M. L.I.C. July 12" manuscript cancellation (Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Co.), tiny thin spot in lower left margin, Fine appearance
10c Dark Green, "I.R." Overprint (R157). Retaining its original gum, outstanding centering, natural s.e. at bottom, clear overprint, "M.M. L.I.C. July 14?, 1898" manuscript cancellation (Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Co.), light corner crease at lower rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 10-CENT "I.R." EMERGENCY PROVISIONAL OVERPRINT.
To meet the increased demands for federal revenue during the Spanish-American War, on June 13, 1898, Congress approved the War Revenue Law of 1898. The law was to become effective on July 1, 1898, leaving only seventeen days before the new stamps were needed. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing had already started work on the dies, rolls and plates in anticipation of its passage, but they were still unable to issue stamps when the law went into effect.
A large quantity of 1c and 2c stamps were printed with an "I.R." overprint (Scott R153, R154, R155 and R155A). Additionally, small quantities were produced in the 8c, 10c and 15c denominations. These issues mark the first time that the United States had to resort to surcharging. According to Sloane's Column (Jul. 31, 1948), the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Co. handstamped copies of the 8c, 10c and 15c regular issues over a period of five days in July 1898. Sloane states these provisional revenues were brought to the philatelic market by J. E. Scott, a collector and employee of the company. J. E. Scott reported that the company used 41 copies of the 8c, 66 of the 10c and 28 of the 15c. The Scott Retail values support this relative mix of supply.
With 1991 P.F. certificate
$30.00 Vermilion, "Series 1940" Handstamped Ovpt. (R282). Serial no. 532701, manuscript, purple handstamp and three-hole cancels, Very Fine
$1,000.00 Orange, Green "Series 1940" Handstamped Ovpt. (R286). Serial no. 111467, cut and purple handstamp cancels, well-centered, Very Fine
$5,000.00 Carmine, "Series 1952" Ovpt. (R618). Serial no. 295, rich color and particularly well-centered, perf initial cancel and boxed handstamp, Very Fine and scarce, the 1952 Series is the first with the over-$1,000.00 denominations, the $5,000.00 is the scarcest denomination
$10,000.00 Carmine, "Series 1952" Ovpt. (R619). Serial no. 1142, rich color and exceptionally well-centered, perf initial cancel and boxed handstamp, Extremely Fine example of this scarce issue, the 1952 Series is the first with the over-$1,000.00 denominations
$5,000.00 Carmine, "Series 1953" Ovpt. (R652). Serial no. 179, boxed handstamp and perf initial cancels, deep rich color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, one of the key rarities of the "Red" Documentary stamps
$10,000.00 Carmine, "Series 1953" Ovpt. (R653). Serial no. 521, rich color, wide margins and choice centering, handstamp and cut cancels which causes a few tiny holes, otherwise Extremely Fine
$10,000.00 Carmine, "Series 1955" Ovpt. (R696). Serial no. 2801, bright color, unobtrusive purple straightline cancels, Very Fine and choice example of this high denomination
2c Green & Black on Green Paper, Proprietary, Center Inverted (RB2d; formerly RB2bc). Unused (no gum), rich color on deep green paper, vignette shows clearly, sealed tear at left and top left corner perf mostly detached and reinforced with small piece of hingeFINE CENTERING. AN EXTREMELY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT ON GREEN PAPER. ONLY NINE OF THE FOURTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES ARE UNUSED.
In the privately published census by Larry Lyons, he records 13 copies of the 2c Proprietary Invert on green paper. One additional example has come to light since his census, offered in our Sale 1037. Of the total recorded, nine appear to be unused, and all but one have at least one fault.
3c Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary, Center Inverted (RB3ad). Rich color and strong vignette impression, lightly struck blue oval handstamp cancel, strong crease across top right corner ending in small tear (pressed and strengthened)FINE CENTERING. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT PROPRIETARY INVERT. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF ALL INVERTS AND REVENUE STAMPS.
Larry Lyons records only seven examples of the 3c Proprietary Invert in his privately published census, all on violet paper (none is known on green paper). At least five have faults or repairs, some of a serious nature. This stamp has a reinforced crease at top right, but is not "repaired" in the true meaning of the word. It is certainly one of the finest appearing of the seven known examples.
$1.00 Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB9a). Neat 1878 purple oval cancel, pinhole at bottom of vignette, color slightly affected by cleaning, otherwise Fine
$5.00 Green & Black on Violet Paper, Proprietary (RB10a). Rich color, manuscript cancellation removed, small thin spots and minor faults as usual for this large format issueFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 PROPRIETARY ON VIOLET PAPER. ONLY 74 WERE ISSUED.
Examples of the $5.00 Proprietary Issue almost invariably have faults, due to the stamp's large size and the nature of its use.
4-3/8c Black, 1914 Issue, Proprietary (RB42). Lightly hinged, clear single line watermark, rich shade, light pencil notation on gum, nibbed perfs at left, otherwise Fine, the key rarity of the 1914 Proprietary Issue