Sale 1138 — The Hanover Collection of Superb-Quality U.S. Stamps, Part 2
Sale Date — Thursday, 6 October, 2016
Category — 1909-13 Issue (Scott 370-395)
2c Alaska-Yukon (370). Mint N.H. with wide right part imprint selvage, intense shade and impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $350.00), only two have graded higher
3c Deep Violet (376). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,125.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98J)
4c Brown (377). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT PERF 12 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,600.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four others share it. This is also the first in this grade we have offered in seven years.
5c Blue (378). Mint N.H., deep color on bright paper, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98)
8c Olive Green (380). Mint N.H., intense color and impression, almost perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARKED PERF 12 WASHINGTON ISSUE, SCOTT 380.
With 1998, 2004 and 2006 P.F. certificates (Superb 98). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only one example at 98 and one at 100, and the highest grade we have offered in one of our auctions is 95J
15c Pale Ultramarine (382). Mint N.H., brilliant color, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 1911 15-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK, SCOTT 382, IN EXISTENCE. THIS STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
According to Johl (p. 288), this stamp was only current for a little less than a year. It differs from its predecessor, Scott 340, only in the watermark, and so was often overlooked by collectors when it was current.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is the only example to achieve this grade.
1c Green, Coil (385). Mint N.H. guide line pair, rich color and remarkably detailed impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE ONE-CENT VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 385.
With 1997 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (386). Mint N.H. guide line pair, brilliant color, gorgeous centering with wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT VERTICAL COIL, SCOTT 386.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, p. 111), the Bureau switched to Perf 8-1/2 for their coils after a very short period of time. The Perf 12 coils proved to be too susceptible to falling apart in the machines used to affix (and make) the coils. Scott 386 was one of the first to be discontinued and was available for less than two months before its perf 8-1/2 replacement became available (EDU for Scott 386 is Dec. 9, 1910, for Scott 391 it is Dec. 23).
With 1992 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $5,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it.
2c Carmine, Coil (388). Mint N.H. guide line pair, brilliant colorFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 1910 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK 2-CENT PERF 12 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 388. PROBABLY NO MORE THAN THREE OR FOUR MINT NEVER-HINGED LINE PAIRS OF SCOTT 388 EXIST, AND IT IS UNLIKELY ANY ARE CENTERED BETTER THAN THIS.
This 2c coil was in production for only a short period of time before being superseded by the Perf 8-1/2 issue. Due to the greater popularity of the horizontal coils with users, combined with a wary attitude by many collectors that early coils were simply trimmed stamps, many were used and few preserved.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1968, 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates (F 70)
3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (389). Choice centering with huge margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression showing every detail of the engraving, neat wavy-line machine cancel used at Orangeburg N.Y.EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAY WELL BE THE FINEST SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL IN EXISTENCE. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HANOVER COLLECTION.
The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911, specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps' use on third-class mail, and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production accounts for their rarity.
Due to the Orangeburg coil stamps' use on mass mailings, many of the surviving copies are faulty to some extent. The most common defects are corner creases or tears. Sound and well-centered copies have been recognized by collectors as truly rare, and bidding has been fierce for premium copies such as the stamp offered here.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1989 and 2003 P.F. certificates
1c Green, Coil (390). Mint N.H. guide line pair, intense shade and impression, perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED COIL GUIDE LINE PAIR HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 1987 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $2,100.00). Coil pairs, and especially guide line pairs, are difficult to obtain in this high grade. For multiples such as this both stamps must be perfectly centered. This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it.
2c Carmine, Coil (391). Mint N.H. guide line pair, brilliant color, mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF SCOTT 391 HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Coil pairs, and especially guide line pairs, are difficult to obtain in this high grade. For multiples such as this both stamps must be perfectly centered.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $7,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this desirable grade. This is the first time we have offered this grade in one of our auctions.
1c Green, Coil (392). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color on bright paper, intact perfs with significant portion of adjoining stamps, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Coil (393). Mint N.H. guide line pair, glowing color on bright paper, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT 1911 HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 393, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Drucker and "Scarsdale". With 1981 and 2002 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,250.00). Only one has graded higher and four others share this desirable grade
3c Deep Violet, Coil (394). Mint N.H. guide line pair, deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered horizontally and verticallyEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF SCOTT 394 IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $16,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. The next-highest grade is 98 (one) and 95 (four).
4c Brown, Coil (395). Mint N.H. guide line pair, perfectly centered within wide margins, intensely rich color and a deeply etched impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 4-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 395, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $14,500.00). This is the highest grade P.S.E. has given to a No. 395, and it is the sole guide line pair to reach this exalted grade.