Sale 1085 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. Officials
Sale Date — Thursday, 6 November, 2014
Category — State Department (Scott O57-O71)
1c State (O57). Block of nine, original gum, striking color, attractive centering especially along the bottom row, some perf separation along bottom two horizontal rows, Fine-Very Fine, this is the largest known multiple of the 1c State Department, ex Lilly, Waud and Markovits, Scott Retail as a block of four and five singles
3c State (O59). Block of four, original gum, minor h.r., bright fresh color, well-centered, Fine-Very Fine, ex Markovits
6c State (O60). Block of four, original gum, h.r., wonderfully deep rich color, well-centered, Very Fine and fresh, with 2005 P.F. certificate
7c State (O61). Original gum that the certificate harshly calls "slightly disturbed", well-centered, phenomenal Jumbo margins, bold color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
12c State (O63). Block of four, original gum, marvelously well-centered, deep rich shade, Extremely Fine, a spectacular multiple which might be the finest extant, ex Markovits
15c State (O64). Horizontal block of eight with selvage at right, original gum, three bottom stamps Mint N.H., rich color, trivial perf separation, Fine, scarce multiple of this size, ex Lilly, Waud and Markovits, Scott Retail as two blocks of four
24c State (O65). Original gum, h.r., intense shade and impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins all around, Extremely Fine, a stamp for the connoisseur, with 1987 P.F. and 2002 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,350.00), this is the sole example to achieve this grade with no other examples graded higher in any condition
24c State (O65). Block of four, original gum with minor disturbance from hinge removal, nicely centered, strong color, Very Fine, an incredibly rare multiple as only three blocks have been recorded, ex Lilly, Waud and Markovits
30c State (O66). Block of four, original gum, exceedingly well-centered, vibrant deep color, trivial toning on gumVERY FINE. A CHOICE AND RARE MULTIPLE OF THE 30-CENT STATE DEPARTMENT. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED BLOCKS.
Ex Ward, Weill and Markovits. With 1990 P.F. certificate
30c State (O66). Jumbo margins which are especially wide at left and bottom, rich color and detailed impression, neat strike of blue oval datestamp,Very Fine and choice, a stamp of great visual appeal, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $260.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
90c State (O67). Disturbed original gum with h.r. and small paper remnants, balanced margins, attractive soft color, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. certificate simply as "part o.g." and 2008 P.S.E. certificate (DOG, VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,375.00)
90c State (O67). Light cancel, wide top and bottom margins and deep rich color, Very Fine
$2.00 State (O68). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide balanced margins, fresh colors, Very Fine and choice, with 1997 and 2012 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
$2.00 State (O68). Clear strike of New York City "6" oval grid with vertical bars -- this type of grid is part of the Type F Supplementary Mail duplex datestamp used on foreign-bound mail -- well-centered with bold colors, couple short perfs and a small pinhole, Very Fine, ex Markovits, with 1985 P.F. certificate
$5.00 State (O69). Disturbed original gum, well-centered, Very Fine, with 1928 B.P.A. and 1985 P.F. certificates just stating original gum
$5.00 State (O69). Quartered cork cancel as usually seen, remarkably well-centered but reperforated at topVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE GENUINELY USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-DOLLAR STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE.
Ex Markovits. With 2004 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates
$10.00 State (O70). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful centering, rich colors on fresh paperVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $10.00 STATE DEPARTMENT.
With 1992 and 2004 P.F. certificates and a 2007 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75; SMQ $3,800.00)
$10.00 State (O70). Bright color, light strike of magenta "Received" cancelVERY FINE. THE $10.00 STATE DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERABLY SCARCER USED THAN UNUSED, ESPECIALLY IN SOUND CONDITION WITH A MAGENTA CANCEL.
Ex Lake Shore. With 2005 P.F. certificate.
$20.00 State (O71). Original gum, strong colors and a clear impression, minute magenta ink mark at top left, Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
$20.00 State (O71). Light cork and manuscript cancels, well-centered, wonderful strong colorsVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND USED EXAMPLE OF THE $20.00 STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE.
With 1990 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
2c State (O58). Tied by "New York Dec 18" Station E duplex cancel on "Department of State, U.S.A." imprint cover to Muscatine Ia., manuscript "Husband, Washington, D.C., Dec. 1883" docketing at left, stamp with trivial corner crease, Very Fine, a fascinating illegal use from a diplomat sending a letter back home to his wife, ex Waud and Markovits
2c State (O58). Rich color, tied by quartered cork cancel and "Washington D.C." circular datestamp on cover to Office of the Congressional Printer, August 31 Carrier backstamp, opened for display, Very Fine, ex Burrows
6c State (O60). Well-centered, tied by cork cancel, "Washington D.C. Jan. 6" circular datestamp on legal-size "Department of State, U.S.A." imprint cover to Camden Ala., 1876 docketing at left, few edge tears at top from opening, otherwise Very Fine
6c State (O60). Rich color, cancelled by purple quartered cork, matching "Washington D.C. Feb. 23" circular datestamp on legal-size "Department of State, U.S.A." imprint cover to Boston, receiving backstamp, light vertical file folds clear of stamp, slightly reduced at right, some edgewear, still Fine
7c State (O61). Tied by quartered cork cancel, "Washington, D.C., Nov 17" circular datestamp on cover from Guatemala to Shreveport La., manuscript "U.S. Legation at Central America, Geo. Williamston, U.S. Minister" at top left, blue "DEPARTMENT OF STATE" straightline handstamp, small part of backflap missing, stamp overpaying the 6c domestic double rate by 1cFINE. ACCORDING TO THE MARKOVITS CATALOGUE, ONLY THREE CONSULAR COVERS ARE KNOWN FROM GUATEMALA.
Ex Hughes, Waud and Markovits
15c State (O64). Just tied along perfs by circular cork cancel, "Washington D.C. May 24 7PM" circular datestamp on legal-size overall lithographed "Department of State, U.S. Official Business, Chief Clerk" imprint cover to Philadelphia Pa., receiving backstamp, very minor edgewearVERY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF SIX RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE 15-CENT STATE DEPARTMENT STAMP.
The 2004 Markovits sale catalogue (Bennett) reported six 15c State Department covers.
Ex Ackerman, Hughes and Starnes.
24c State (O65). Deep shade, small tear at top, canceled by purple quartered cork cancel, matching "Washington D.C. May 27 3PM 1878" circular datestamp on legal-size linen-lined cover with "Department of State, U.S.A." imprint and part-printed address to the Vice Consul of the United States at Prescott, Canada, red wax seal, "Prescott Ont. My 29 78" receiving backstamp, a bit age toned and some chipping away of paper along edgesONE OF TWO UNDISPUTED GENUINE COVERS BEARING THE 24-CENT STATE DEPARTMENT STAMP. AN IMPORTANT ARTIFACT OF OFFICIAL-STAMP POSTAL HISTORY.
In his article "High Value Official Stamps on Cover" (Chronicle 188, Nov. 2000, pp. 287-299), Alan C. Campbell lists two 24c State covers as positively genuine, and he tentatively includes a third cover as possibly genuine, although it is repaired and reduced. The cover offered here is No. 26 in the Campbell census. The 24c stamp pays the eight-times 3c rate to Canada (4 oz.).
Ex Hughes and Starnes.
30c State (O66). Well-centered with right sheet selvage, tied by large cork cancel, "Washington D.C. Jul. 20 5PM" (1877) circular datestamp on legal-size linen-lined cover to the Hon. William M. Merrick in Baltimore Md., "(Unite)d States Consulate Genl., Mexico City" imprint ("Genl" and "Mexico City" in manuscript), red "DEPARTMENT OF STATE" straightline handstamp and blue oval Jul. 20, 1877 datestamp, large green "U.S. Consulate General, City of Mexico" seal on back, Baltimore receiving backstamp, reduced and faulty at left, some other edge faults, still quite presentableONE OF EIGHT RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE 30-CENT STATE DEPARTMENT STAMP, OF WHICH ONLY TWO ARE USED ALONE. ONE OF THE OUTSTANDING HIGH-VALUE OFFICIAL COVERS.
In his article "High Value Official Stamps on Cover" (Chronicle 188, Nov. 2000, pp. 287-299), Alan C. Campbell lists seven 30c State Department covers, including five bearing other values. This cover is No. 29 in the Campbell census. The 2004 Markovits sale catalogue raised the number to eight.
Ex Hughes and Starnes. With 2007 P.F. certificate.