Sale 1227 — Outstanding United States Stamps and Gold Coins
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 19-23 October, 2020
Category — Parcel Post, Carriers & Locals, Postal Stationery
1c-$1.00 Parcel Post (Q1-Q12). Blocks of four, top stamps h.r., few bottom stamps Mint N.H. including both 50c and $1.00, 3c unusually dark shade, 20c with top plate no. 6193 selvage (folded along selvage), Fine-Very Fine, scarce set of blocks, Scott value as blocks with no premium for the Mint N.H. stamps
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5c Parcel Post (Q5). Bottom plate no. 6219 block of six, bottom side stamps Mint N.H., bottom center stamp small dealer backstamp, rich color, Fine-Very Fine, ex Diamond
50c Parcel Post (Q10). Right plate no. 6428 and "FIFTY" block of six, left stamps Mint N.H., right stamps few small hinge slivers where few minor perf separations sensibly reinforced, bright colorFINE AND RARE PLATE NUMBER AND "FIFTY" BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 50-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE.
The Parcel Post issues were printed from plates of 180 which consisted of four panes of 45. According to Johl, the uniform color of the twelve denominations led to confusion on the part of postal clerks, who complained that they were forced to examine the stamps in detail to ensure they had the correct values. In response, on January 27, 1913, large capital letters were added to the margins near each plate number. At top and bottom the imprint is in the selvage next to the plate number; on the sides it is separated by a stamp with blank selvage.
50c Parcel Post (Q10). Bottom plate no. 6424 and "FIFTY" block of four, three stamps Mint N.H., top left stamp lightly hinged, brilliant color, well-balanced margins, fresh and Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. and 1991 P.S.E. certificates, Scott value as hinged plate block
75c Parcel Post (Q11). Top plate no. 6287 block of six, five stamps Mint N.H., bottom center stamp and center selvage h.r., radiant color, choice centering, fresh and Very Fine, a pretty plate block
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Massive Jumbo margins and mathematically perfect centering, brilliant color on bright paper, "Chicago Ill." double oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ASTONISHING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PARCEL POST ISSUE, WITH THE ULTIMATE P.S.E. GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98J). This is the sole used example of the $1.00 Parcel Post at this highest of grades. In fact, among the entire series (Q1-Q12) only the 2c and 15c denominations have a used stamp at the 100 Jumbo grade (one each). Both are much more common as the 2c was issued in quantities 200-times the $1.00 and the 15c was issued in quantities 20-times the $1.00. The next highest used Q12 is graded 98J.
1c Blue, Eagle Carrier (LO2). Top right corner block of four with large sheet margins, stamps Mint N.H., hinged in sheet margin only well above stamps, large margins other sides with complete framelines, Extremely Fine Gem block, with 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100)
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red, Broken Leg (143L3 var). Position 9R, three clear margins, just in at right, neat strike of blue Running Pony oval handstamp, also part of black circular datestamp, crease at bottom leftFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 RED PONY EXPRESS STAMP WITH THE "BROKEN LEG" VARIETY.
We record only approximately ten examples of this rare variety, including three used. The October 19 date in the San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp is the penultimate eastbound trip.
6c Red on Buff, Die 10, Cut Square (U31; UPSS 63). Unused, 28 x 33mm, narrow diagonal sealed tear at bottom right far from indicia, Very Fine appearance and scarce, fewer than five mint entires are recorded, we have offered only two other cut squares outside of this sale in more than 25 years and both measured smaller than this example, with 2020 P.F. certificate