Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — 1916-17 Issues (Scott 462-491)
30c Orange Red, Perf 10 (476A). Mint N.H. right plate no. 6911 block of six, radiant color on bright paper, typical centering for this difficult issue, some rejoined perf separations in ungummed selvage and couple small creases in left edge of selvage at lower rightFINE. THE UNIQUE RIGHT POSITION PLATE BLOCK OF THE 30-CENT PERF 10 FRANKLIN ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
The 30c Perf 10 Unwatermarked, Scott 476A, has no trace of the single-line watermark. Although one or two stamps from the discovery sheets have been found with "ghost" watermarks, the Scott Catalogue and The Philatelic Foundation continue to recognize Scott 476A.
In an article in Opinions V, published by The Philatelic Foundation, William T. Crowe, former head of the Expert Committee, discussed the discovery of this rare stamp and how it might have been issued. The production of Scott 476A occurred during the period of transition from gauge-10 perfs to gauge 11. Bureau records do not list a 30c printing on unwatermarked paper that was perforated 10, but the existence of two certified panes -- one bottom-right pane from Plate 6917 and one top-right pane from Plate 6911 -- is evidence that the combination of new unwatermarked paper and old 10-gauge perfs occurred, even if inadvertently. Stamps from these two panes (200 total), two left sheet-margin blocks of four and a bottom plate no. 6914 single, none of which have any trace of watermark, are the only accepted examples of Scott 476A.
With 1984 P.F. certificate (does not mention trivial selvage flaws)
