Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — Offices in China (K)
2c-$2.00 Offices in China (K1-K3, K5-K10, K12-K14). First four and last two lightly hinged, others Mint N.H., most Fine-Very Fine with several Very Fine and choice or better, six stamps between Nos. K6 to K14 with 1991 to 1997 P.F. certificates
2c-$2.00 Offices in China (K1-K4, K6, K10-K11, K14). All Mint N.H. except Nos. K1 and K10, 8c on 4c ovpt. shifted high, 60c on 30c with plate no. 6927, Fine-Very Fine with a couple that will grade higher, Nos. K2-K4, K6 and K14 with 1999-2006 P.F. or P.S.E. certificates (No. K6 is photocopy for vertical pair)
2c-$2.00 Offices in China (K1-K16). No. K15 disturbed original gum or regummed, K9 small thin spot, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
4c on 2c Offices in China (K2). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, fresh, strong color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,450.00), this and one other share this premium grade, none higher
8c on 4c Offices in China (K4). Mint N.H., nearly perfect centering, fresh, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Mint N.H., detailed impression showing every nuance of the engraving, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00), only four have graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Mint N.H., almost perfectly centered, intense color and sharp impression, Extremely Fine, ex Vineyard, with 2001 P.F. certificate
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Deep rich color on bright paper, neat strike of Shanghai oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $930.00)
12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Mint N.H. extra wide top plate no. 7822 block of six, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, an unusually attractive post-office fresh example of this scarce plate block, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
16c on 8c Offices in China (K8). Mint N.H., choice even margins, radiant color on fresh white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, extraordinarily nice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00)
18c on 9c Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H., essentially perfectly centered, bright and crisp, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
20c on 10c Offices in China (K10). Mint N.H., choice margins and centering, vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $410.00)
24c on 12c Offices in China (K11). Mint N.H., beautiful wide margins and well-centered, bright color on crisp paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1998 P.F. certificate
30c on 15c Offices in China (K12). Mint N.H., balanced margins and essentially perfect centering, crisp shade and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1979 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00)
30c on 15c Offices in China (K12). Mint N.H., nicely centered, strong color, Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
40c on 20c Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, perfectly centered, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A REMARKABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 40-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE THAT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE UPON.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,300.00). This is the highest and only Superb 98 Mint N.H. example graded to date. A review of the P.S.E. Population Report for the underlying stamp, Scott No. 515, will also give an indication of its rarity in higher grades. The significantly more available Scott No. 515 has only ten Mint N.H. stamps graded 98 or above.
40c on 20c Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H., well-centered, crisp color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $700.00)
40c on 20c Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H., unusually wide margins and excellent centering, lovely pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $700.00)
60c on 30c Offices in China (K14). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, Jumbo margins and almost mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 60-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE COMBINING JUMBO MARGINS WITH PERFECT CENTERING, COLOR AND GUM.
With 2000 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; not priced in SMQ above the grade of 98, $4,000.00 as 98). This is the only example to be graded Superb 98 Jumbo by P.S.E. to date, with no others having achieved this grade or even a Superb 98 grade. The next closest example is graded 95J.
60c on 30c Offices in China (K14). Mint N.H., lovely margins with near-perfect centering, fresh and bright, beautiful rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1998 and 2006 P.F. certificates
$2.00 on $1.00 Offices in China, Double Surcharge (K16a). Bottom left corner selvage single with "J.A.M." siderographer's initials, slightly disturbed tropical original gum, perfs very slightly in at leftFINE. AN IMPORTANT RARITY OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE. THIS DOUBLE SURCHARGE ERROR STAMP SHOWS A WIDELY-SHIFTED SECOND SURCHARGE AND COMES FROM THE CORNER OF THE SHEET WHERE THE PLATEMAKER'S INITIALS APPEAR.
The Office in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing.
This stamp comes from the George Brett estate. The exact number of error sheets sold by the U.S. Postal Agency has never been established, but it is likely that no more than two from this position exist.
2c on 1c Offices in China (K17). Mint N.H., brilliant color and crisp impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,700.00)