Sale 1014 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 12-14 October, 2011
Category — Offices in China (Darrah and Scott K4-K18)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
2319
1c-25c Parcel Post Postage Due, Darrah Ty. I "S'HAI. CHINA" Handstamp Ovpt. (JQ1var-JQ5var). Two complete sets, one with black ovpts, other the so-called "purple" ovpt. (really a purplish black and very lightly struck on each value), four with natural s.e., gum in varying condition (h.r., disturbed, slight toning), Very Good-Fine appearance, according to philatelic lore John Darrah was the U.S. postal agent in China, in 1913, in collusion with some stamp collectors he overprinted one sheet each of the stamps in stock at the agency (we doubt this applies to the printed varieties), as this was unauthorized he was ordered by Washington not to sell them, he complied with the order however some had already gotten into the hands of the collectors, rare lot
E. 1,000-1,500
550
2320
8c on 4c Offices in China (K4). Mint N.H. right plate no. 8497 block of six, attractive color, interesting surcharge shift with "S" of Shanghai more or less straddling the margins between stamps, Fine-Very Fine, nice attractive variety
1,150
450
Back to Top2321
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Mint N.H. left plate no. 9117 block of six, strong color on bright paper, Fine and attractive
1,100
0
Back to Top2322
10c on 5c Offices in China (K5). Beautifully centered, U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai China circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $325.00)
130
650
Back to Top2323
12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Jumbo margins and precisely centered, fresh, vivid color, lightly hinged, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $365.00 as 98, unpriced in higher grade), this is the highest grade awarded to date in any category and the only example to achieve this grade
85
350
Back to Top2324
12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Mint N.H. left plate no. 7822 block of six, bright color, Fine
1,500
450
Back to Top2325
12c on 6c Offices in China (K6). Beautifully centered with choice wide margins, U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai China circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $440.00)
190
400
Back to Top2326
16c on 8c Offices in China (K8). Mint N.H., well-balanced margins, fresh, vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
180
350
Back to Top2327
16c on 8c Olive Green, Offices in China (K8a). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 7742 block of six, brilliant color, fresh and Fine
1,000
400
Back to Top2328
16c on 8c Olive Green, Offices in China (K8a). Incredibly wide Jumbo margins, "*U.S. Postal Agency* Shanghai China" double-oval cancel with a bit of a New York receiving cancel, Extremely Fine, impressive example, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
125
450
Back to Top2329
18c on 9c Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H. top margin plate no. block of six, vibrant color and perfectly struck surcharge, Fine-Very Fine plate block
1,200
375
Back to Top2330
20c on 10c Offices in China (K10). Mint N.H., balanced margins, incredibly fresh and bright as if it just came off of the press, vivid color, Extremely Fine, strikingly beautiful example, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $325.00)
160
375
Back to Top2331
20c on 10c Offices in China (K10). Mint N.H. top plate no. block of six with wide selvage, vibrant color, Fine-Very Fine
1,300
600
Back to Top2332
30c on 15c Offices in China (K12). Mint N.H., wide balanced margins and perfect centering, clear impression, fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (98 ogNH)
210
3,000
Back to Top2333
30c on 15c Offices in China (K12). Jumbo margins and attractively centered, U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai China circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $205.00 as 80, $325.00 as 85)
220
450
Back to Top2334
40c on 20c Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H. right plate no. 6935 block of six, brilliant color, natural short gum at right, Fine-Very Fine and rare in Mint N.H. condition, we found only four others in Power Search and this one is by far the best centered
2,250
0
Back to Top2335
60c on 30c Offices in China (K14). Mint N.H. left plate no. block of six, vivid color, faint paper wrinkle in bottom pair, Fine-Very Fine example of this challenging plate block
1,800
0
Back to Top2336
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Mint N.H., choice pastel color, fresh, Fine and attractive, difficult to find in this post office Mint N.H. condition
1,300
500
Back to Top2337
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Choice margins and centering, lightly hinged, bright pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $560.00)
575
450
Back to Top2338
$1.00 on 50c Offices in China (K15). Pretty shade, unobtrusive strike of framed Shanghai cancel, Very Fine and choice, the $1.00 on 50c is surprisingly scarce in used condition, especially in this relatively high grade, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $820.00)
900
1,200
Back to Top2339
2c on 1c Offices in China (K17). Mint N.H., radiant color and crisp impression on bright paper, beautifully centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1922 OFFICES IN CHINE ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only seven others share this grade.
250
2,100
Back to Top2340
4c on 2c Offices in China (K18). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins, fresh and crisp, vivid color on bright white paper, Very Fine, unusual to find this stamp with such wide margins, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $190.00 as 80, $300.00 as 85)
230
225
Back to Top2341
4c on 2c Offices in China (K18). Mint N.H. right plate no. 13129 block of six, small circular spot of extraneous printing ink to left of "China" on pos. 4, resembles large period, Fine
1,400
450
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