10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H. with top part imprint wide selvage, brilliant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins and precise centering

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1902 SERIES SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP, SCOTT E6, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.

Scott E6 is the first of the "Messenger on Bicycle" Special Delivery designs. It was released as part of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's "Series of 1902" regular postage issues (Scott 300-313). Scott E6 is printed on double-line "USPS" watermarked paper with 12-gauge perforations. In 1908 the "Helmut of Mercury" Special Delivery stamp was issued. However, the Messenger on Bicycle design was re-issued in 1909 from new plates, and the same basic design was issued continuously until the Motorcycle Delivery design replaced it in 1922. Changes in the paper and perforation gauge for the issues from 1909 until 1922 mirror the changes in the Washington-Franklin series of the same period.

Scott E6 is not particularly scarce (it has a Scott value of $525.00 as Mint N.H.), but experienced collectors and professionals know that very few examples of the 1902 Issue exist with Jumbo, balanced margins. The P.S.E. Population Report statistics support this statement.

With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $7,400.00 as 98, $17,800.00 as 100). This is the only example to achieve a Superb 98 Jumbo grade, and only one stamp has been graded higher (Gem 100, last offered in our 2016 sale of the "Hanover" collection)

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