Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008
Category — 1880-83 American Bank Note Co. Special Printing
5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, almost perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 21 EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in the Chronicle, February 1992. His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Asst. PMG, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield.
Our census of this issue available at http://siegelauctions.com/enc/census/205c/205c.htm illustrates the 21 known copies. The provenance of the example offered here is especially desirable. The last example we offered at auction was in our sale of the Vineyard collection, in 2004.
Census No. 205C-UNC-12. Ex Neinken, "Southern Cross", Weisman, Lyons and McKinney. With 1944 A.P.S. certificate and 1991 P.F. and 1993 P.S.E. certificates.
