Sale 1227 — Outstanding United States Stamps and Gold Coins
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 19-23 October, 2020
Category — Postage Due
2c Brown (J2). Original gum, lightly hinged, crisp impression, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate
3c Brown (J3). Enormous Jumbo margins, exceptional centering, neat "DUE" handstamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a most uncommon copy of a common stamp, with 2006 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), by way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is a 95
10c Brown (J5). Light blue New York Pearls cancel, gorgeous rich color, sharp impression on fresh paper, outstanding centering and wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, ex "Golden Oak", with 2000 and 2014 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95 XQ)
30c Brown (J6). Block of four, original gum, crisp impression, few trivial natural inclusions, Fine
50c Brown (J7). Original gum, h.r., crisp impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2013 P.F. certificate
1c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J8). Mint N.H., radiant color and detailed impression with the distinctive deep cameo seen on the back of the Special PrintingsFINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures. For the 1c, Mooz estimates 500 sold, but it is possible that as many as 400 purchased by G. B. Calman were destroyed. It is widely accepted that nearly 9,000 1c stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues.
With 1995 P.F. and 2018 P.S.E. certificates. Listed but unpriced as Mint N.H. Scott value as hinged
1c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J8). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and proof-like impressionFINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures. For the 1c, Mooz estimates 500 sold, but it is possible that as many as 400 purchased by G. B. Calman were destroyed. It is widely accepted that nearly 9,000 1c stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues.
Ex "Laila". With 1990 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Original gum, lightly hinged, detailed impression, three wide marginsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures.
With 2008 P.F. certificate
2c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J9). Unused (no gum), deep rich color and proof-like impression, small thin spot at upper rightVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures.
With 2019 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Unused (no gum), bright color and detailed impression, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT IS POSSIBLY THE RAREST OF THE POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS, AND IS EXTREMELY ELUSIVE IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.
Although 436 copies were reported sold, it is believed that 100 copies were destroyed in the Calman lot. A thorough search of the marketplace, combined with conversations with dealers and collectors, has confirmed the extreme rarity of this stamp.
Ex Hoffman and "Laila". With 1950, 1995 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
5c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J11). Disturbed original gum, rich color, couple small to tiny thin spotsFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1879 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
With 1994 and 2017 P.F. certificates. Small backstamp
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J12). Original gum, rich color and detailed impressionFRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
Ex "Laila". Signed "S.A. (Spencer Anderson). With 1997 P.S.E. and 2005 P.F. certificates
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Unused (no gum), intense shade and impression, fresh and Fine, it has been estimated that no more than 179 examples reached the public, ex Sheriff, with 1971 P.F. certificate
30c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J13). Unused (no gum), rich color, minor faults including a tiny closed tear, Very Fine appearance, it has been estimated that no more than 179 examples reached the public, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Original gum, lightly hinged, essentially perfect centering, deep shade and sharp impression on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WONDERFULLY CHOICE CONDITION FOR THE RARE 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRIINTING.
It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.
Ex "Vineyard". With 1965 and 1999 P.F. certificates
50c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J14). Unused (no gum), classic dark Special Printing color, Very Fine, an uncommonly attractive example of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing, with 1957, 1992, and 2009 P.F. certificates
3c Red Brown (J17). Original gum, brilliant color, three wide margins, Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Red Brown (J17). Jumbo margins and choice centering, deep rich color, New York double oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, rare used in this exceptional condition, with 2006 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $725.00), the highest grade awarded and shared by no others (the highest unused grade is also 90J)
5c Red Brown (J18). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
10c Red Brown (J19). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, Very Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate
1884-91 Postage Due Issues, Choice Used Balance (J20/J28, F1), Six used stamps, each with beautifully balanced margins, rich colors and neat cancels, including Nos. J20, J21, J26 (P.S.E. XF 90), J27 and J28, also includes F1 (P.F. XF-Superb 95), Extremely Fine group, each of the undgraded stamps with P.F. certificate
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50c Red Brown (J21). Original gum, lightly hinged, detailed impression, Jumbo margins, trivial natural inclusion at lower left, Very Fine, with clear 2002 P.S.E. certificate
1c-50c Bright Claret (J22-J28). Mint N.H., bright colors, few minor gum skips, Fine-Very Fine, a rare complete set of the 1894 perf 12 unwatermarked Postage Due set
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3c Bright Claret (J24). Mint N.H., choice margins and centering, bright color, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
30c Bright Claret (J27). Original gum, radiant color, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 P.F. certificate
50c Bright Claret (J28). Original gum, bright shade, well-balanced margins, small natural gum bend at bottom right, Extremely Fine, with 2001 clear P.S.E. certificate
1c Vermilion (J29). Original gum, certificate notes paper hinge remnant which has since been removed, brilliant color, Very Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
1c Vermilion (J29). Slightly disturbed original gum, brilliant color, accompanying certificate states reperfed at left but we have our doubts, Very Fine appearance, with 2016 P.S.A.G. certificate stating original gum and reperfed at left
2c Vermilion (J30). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion (J30). Original gum, rich color, fresh and Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Deep Claret (J32). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 60 selvage, exceptional depth of color and proof-like impression, choice centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,250.00), one of only three to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded, we have offered both of the other 95Js and neither has plate number selvage
10c Deep Claret (J35). Bottom imprint and plate no. 72 block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., the top left and right stamps lightly hinged, deep rich color, beautiful centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFULLY CHOICE AND RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU POSTAGE DUE.
The first Bureau printings in 1894 were on unwatermarked paper, which was soon replaced with USPS-watermarked stock. Many denominations on unwatermarked paper were issued in extremely small quantities. Also, the popular collecting of imprint and plate number strips of three drastically reduced the number of plate blocks of six.
With 2019 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as singles. The catalogue value as a hinged plate block is $4,000.00
50c Deep Claret (J37). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, Fine, purple backstamp, with 1982 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates
5c Deep Claret (J48). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.F. certificate
50c Deep Claret (J50). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, wide margins, Very Fine
3c Carmine Lake (J54). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color on bright paper, Very Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Original gum, single hinge mark at top, rich color on bright paperVERY FINE. THE 1914 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE IS THE RAREST OF THE REGULARLY ISSUED POSTAGE DUE STAMPS.
Scott No. J58 has the highest catalogue value of any regularly issued Postage Due stamp. This stamp is the key to any meaningful collection of the Postage Due issues.
With 1979, 1995 and 2005 P.F. certificates
50c Carmine Lake (J58). Rich color on bright paper, neat strike of registry oval cancel, thin spot at top, Very Fine appearance
1c Rose (J59). Original gum, lightly hinged, with top part imprint selvage, brilliant color, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 ONE-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
The Perf 10 Postage Due stamps were printed on unwatermarked paper for a brief time. Well-centered original-gum examples are exceedingly rare.
With 1988 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates, the former as a plate block
1c Rose (J59). Original gum, fresh color, Fine example of this scarce Postage Due, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Rose (J60). Mint N.H., vibrant color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate