Sale 1028 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Three: 1902 and Later Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 20 September, 2012
Category — 1914 Perf 12 x 10 Issue and Perf 10 x 12 Issue (Scott 423A-423D)
5c Blue, Perf 12 x 10 (423C). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issue with wide margins, face-free cork cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THIS ISSUE WITHOUT A PRECANCEL. THE 1914 5-CENT PERF 12 x 10 ISSUE IS ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ISSUES.
Our census of Scott 423C, available at http://siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/423C/423C.pdf , contains 25 used examples. Of these only eleven are sound or potentially sound -- five have not been examined in many years and may have faults. Of the six confirmed sound copies, only four could be considered centered (nos. 3, 5, 14 and the example offered here). One has a precancel (no. 5). The margins on the example offered here are slightly more balanced than the others.
Census No. 423C-CAN-20. This stamp originally formed a pair with another in our census. Ex Lyons. Signed George Sloane. With 1997 P.F. certificate as pair.
