Sale 1231 — The James P. Myerson Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 February, 2021
Category — 1919-20 Issues (Scott 537-550)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (539). Mint N.H., rich color and sharp impression, wide balanced margins and choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE ROTARY-PRESS WASTE ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CONDITION. THIS IS THE FINEST WE HAVE EVER OFFERED.
At the beginning or end of a coil-stamp print run from the 170-subject rotary plates, some leading or trailing paper was left over that was too short for rolling into 500-stamp rolls. In 1919, the Bureau devised a plan to salvage this waste by converting the stamps from coil stamps into sheet stamps. This was accomplished by cutting the sheets into panes and putting the panes through the flat-plate perforator in use at the time, giving the stamps perforations on all sides.
Since Scott 539 was put through two different perforating machines of differing gauges at different times, most of the stamps are off-center. The stamp offered here is a true condition rarity by virtue of its centering, margins and Mint N.H. state.
Ex "Piedmont", "Scarsdale" and "Hanover". With 1968, 1988, 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). By way of comparison, the highest grade in P.S.E.'s Population Report is 80 (one example).
