Sale 941 — The John F. Odeneal Collection of Superb Mint U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 3 October, 2007
Category — Washington-Franklin Issues (Bluish Paper)
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Barest trace of hinging, beautiful rich color and sharp proof-like impression on deeply blued paper, spectacularly wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 4-CENT BLUISH PAPER -- ARGUABLY THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE BLUISH PAPER ISSUE TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. THIS EXCEPTIONAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF VF 90 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
A review of our Levi records of the Bluish Paper stamps shows that the 4c is much rarer than the 8c in well-centered condition. This stamp, with margins that would be impressive on a normal 4c, easily ranks among the two or three finest known.
With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $38,000.00). The P.S.E. grade is arguably 5 points too low, but the SMQ value is certainly too low, which is explained by the fact that there have been no sales of this stamp in XF 90 or XF-Superb 95 grades in years. In our opinion, the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper in XF 90 should each list at $75,000.
