Sale 1258 — The Richie Prager Collection of United States Hunting Permits
Sale Date — Tuesday, 14 June, 2022
Category — Errors and Varieties
$1.00 Blue, 1934 Hunting Permit, Vertical Pair Imperforate Horizontally (RW1b). Left selvage block of eight containing four error pairs, unused, gummed on the front, back without gum, deep rich color, light creasing and top pair with a couple small stain spots, top left stamp shallow thin spotVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE BLOCK BEARING FOUR ERROR PAIRS OF THE 1934 FIRST HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY. A MAGNIFICENT SHOWPIECE AND ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PRAGER COLLECTION.
Specialists have searched for evidence of the origins of the 1934 Hunting Permit imperforate horizontally error, Scott RW1b (offered here), and the RW1 fully imperforate error. It is believed that only one pane of 28 imperforate horizontally was ever released, either through an official channel or as an internal release of discarded product, which would be extremely unusual for the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. The pane was broken up, yielding this left selvage block of eight, other vertical pairs and at least one strip of three. Pairs are known fully imperforate, but they all have narrow side margins and are now considered to be examples of the imperforate horizontally error with the vertical perforations trimmed off. There are no recorded horizontal imperforate pairs, which adds further credence to this theory.
This block of eight is the largest multiple in existence, as well as the largest remaining piece showing the original configuration of the error pane -- perforated vertically and imperforate horizontally. It is the most iconic Federal Hunting Permit stamp error and one of the greatest 20th century philatelic errors. On the occasion of this offering, we wish to propose a theoretical connection between this error and the well-known part-imperforate errors of the National Parks issue -- the 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c and 7c imperforate horizontally or vertically, with gum (not to be confused with the Farleys). The National Parks stamps and First Federal Duck Stamp were printed at the Bureau almost concurrently in mid-1934. The National Parks errors are believed to originate from one pane of each, and none have been traced to a post office. We think this is too much for pure coincidence.
Illustrated in The Duck Stamp Story on p. 107. Ex Rudy. With 1979 P.F. certificate.
$1.00- $2.00 1946-50 Hunting Permits (RW13-RW17). Mint N.H. singles from Position 24 on the upper right pane, all with right selvage showing "PL. 47510" printed on the reverse, Fine-Very Fine, offset plate no. 47510 was used to print the waterfowl hunting message on the backs of the stamps, a footnote in Scott prices "plate blocks of six with side and bottom selvage" at $550.00 each for Nos. RW13-RW15, and $2,500.00 each for RW17, plate number singles are unpriced
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$2.00 Dark Blue, 1955 Hunting Permit, Back Inscription Inverted (RW22a). Used stamp with blue ink at upper left, called an "ink smear" on accompanying certificate, offset of inscription on front and small inconsequential scuff at left not mentioned on certificateFINE AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1955 HUNTING PERMIT STAMP, INSCRIPTION INVERTED ERROR. THIS IS REPORTED TO BE THE ONLY USED EXAMPLE KNOWN.
The inscriptions printed on the back of Federal Hunting Permit stamps, warning hunters to sign their stamps, began with the 1946 Issue (RW13) and continued until the self-adhesive stamps of the late 1990's. The Scott Specialized Catalogue states that starting in 1954 (RW21), the inscription was printed on top of the gum, but on this example from the 1955 Issue that is clearly not the case. This is the only used example of RW22a according the the Datz catalogue.
With 2009 P.F. certificate and specifically priced in Scott as used.
$2.00 Emerald, 1957 Hunting Permit, Back Inscription Inverted (RW24a). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, few perfs at lower left with small stainVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1957 HUNTING PERMIT WITH THE BACK INSCRIPTION INVERTED.
The inscriptions printed on the back of Federal Hunting Permit stamps, warning hunters to sign their stamps, began with the 1946 Issue (RW13) and continued until the self-adhesive stamps of the late 1990's. Only four Hunting Permit issues are listed with back inscription inverted: RW22a (two unused and one used known -- the used offered in the previous lot), RW24a (6-8 known according to Datz, offered here), RW25a (one known, offered in the following lot) and RW26a (two known, one offered in lot 3158).
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75; the error unpriced in SMQ)
$2.00 Black, 1958 Hunting Permit, Back Inscription Inverted (RW25a). Mint N.H., choice centering, intense shade on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE 1958 HUNTING PERMIT STAMP WITH BACK INSCRIPTION INVERTED. A WONDERFUL DUCK STAMP RARITY.
The inscriptions printed on the back of Federal Hunting Permit stamps, warning hunters to sign their stamps, began with the 1946 Issue (RW13) and continued until the self-adhesive stamps of the late 1990's. Only four Hunting Permit issues are listed with back inscription inverted: RW22a (two unused and one used known -- the used example offered in lot 3155), RW24a (6-8 known according to Datz, one offered in previous lot), RW25a (one known, the stamp offered here) and RW26a (two known, one offered in the following lot).
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate. Unpriced in Scott. By way of comparison, the RW26a error, with two recorded examples, is priced at $15,000.00.
$3.00 1959 Hunting Permit, Back Inscription Inverted (RW26a). Mint N.H. with right selvage, choice margins and centering, bright and fresh in every respectEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE 1959 HUNTING PERMIT STAMP, INSCRIPTION INVERTED ERROR.
The inscriptions printed on the back of Federal Hunting Permit stamps, warning hunters to sign their stamps, began with the 1946 Issue (RW13) and continued until the self-adhesive stamps of the late 1990's. Only four Hunting Permit issues are listed with back inscription inverted: RW22a (two unused and one used known -- the used example offered in the lot 3155), RW24a (6-8 known according to Datz, one offered in lot 3156), RW25a (one known, offered in the previous lot) and RW26a (two unused known, offered here). The Datz catalogue states there are only two reported examples of Scott RW26a, but Scott also lists this used, so that example may be a third.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; the error unpriced in SMQ).
$3.00 1962 Hunting Permit, Back Inscription Omitted (RW29a). Original gum, accompanying P.F. certificate states Mint N.H. but we detect the faintest hinging at bottom (irrelevant as this is unique), brilliant colors and well-centeredVERY FINE. THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE 1962 HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE WITH BACK INSCRIPTION OMITTED.
In the whole history of the Federal Hunting Permit program, the back inscription omitted error only occurred during five years -- 1962 (the example offered here), 1968 (offered in the following lot), 1974 (technically not omitted but printed on front due to a foldover), 1990 and 2003. For the two later years (1990 and 2003), Datz records 150 and 12 examples respectively. The greatest rarities of this variety are this unique example from 1962 and the also unique 1968 and 1974 errors.
With 1995 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H. Also with 2013 A.P.S. certificate stating slightly disturbed original gum which is nonsense. Listed but unpriced in Scott.
$3.00 1968 Hunting Permit, Back Inscription Omitted (RW35a). With bottom right corner plate no. 170443 selvage, original gum somewhat harshly called "slightly disturbed" on accompanying certificates, again irrelevant as this is unique, brilliant colorsVERY FINE. THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE 1968 HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE WITH BACK INSCRIPTION OMITTED.
In the whole history of the Federal Hunting Permit program, the back inscription omitted error only occurred during five years -- 1962 (offered in the previous lot), 1968 (offered here), 1974 (technically not omitted but printed on front due to a foldover), 1990 and 2003. For the two later years (1990 and 2003), Datz records 150 and 12 examples respectively. The greatest rarities of this variety are this unique example from 1968 and the also unique 1962 and 1974 errors.
With 2013 A.P.S. and 2003 P.F. certificates. Listed but unpriced in Scott.
$7.50 1981 Hunting Permit (RW48). Mint N.H., with dramatic color shift, the duck images far out of registration, also signed by the artist John S. Wilson, Very Fine and dramatic color shift, accompanied by normal for comparison
$7.50 1982 Hunting Permit, Orange and Violet Omitted (RW49a). Used with signature of artist (David A.) "Mass" at right, well-centeredVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1982 HUNTING PERMIT ISSUE WITH ORANGE AND VIOLET COLORS OMITTED. THIS IS THE ONLY USED EXAMPLE IN THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION RECORDS.
The Datz book states five examples are known. This is the only used stamp listed in The Philatelic Foundation records. With 1996 P.F. certificate. Scott value as unused.
$7.50 1985 Hunting Permit, Light Blue Lithographed Omitted (RW52a). Vertical strip of five with selvage at top and bottom, top stamp completely lacking Light Blue, second stamp partly lacking Light Blue, bottom four stamps are normal, top stamp shows the Cinnamon Teal duck in yellow orangeVERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE LIGHT BLUE OMITTED ERROR ON RW52, WHICH ALL COME FROM THE SAME DISCOVERY SHEET. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF HUNTING PERMIT COLLECTING.
According to the Scott Catalogue, the omitted color on No. RW52a coincides with a double paper splice affecting the top row of five stamps from the sheet and the top third of the stamps in the second row. There is also a color changeling of the brownish red ducks and their reflections in the water to yellow and yellow orange, respectively, on the error stamps (the Cinnamon Teal variety). The error currently exists as three vertical strips of six (top stamps the error) and a plate block of twelve (plate number at bottom left, top stamps the error).
With copy of 2006 P.F. certificate for the discovery sheet.
$7.50 1986 Hunting Permit, Black Engraved Omitted (RW53a). Mint N.H., rich colors, Very Fine example of this distinctive color-missing error, approximately 60 are believed to exist, accompanied by normal stamp for comparison
$15.00 1993 Hunting Permit, Black Engraved Omitted (RW60a). Mint N.H., bright colors, fresh and Very Fine example of this scarce error, normal stamp accompanies for comparison
6c Waterfowl Conservation, Red & Dark Blue Omitted (1362b). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, vertical crease, Very Fine
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