Sale 1093 — The Curtis Collection: U.S. 20th Century and Air Post
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 23-24 February, 2015
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 357-366)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
162
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Beautiful rich color and sharp proof-like impression, nearly perfect centering which is virtually unheard-of on this rare issue, small trivial natural fiber inclusion at leftEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE 4-CENT BLUISH PAPER, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT BLUISH PAPERS TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off center to some extent.
Ex Peyton (Isleham) and Zoellner. Owner's small purple backstamp. With 1986 P.F. certificate
27,500
25,000