Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps

Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008

Category — 1917-23 Issues (Scott 528A-595)

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
512
nh
Sale 956, Lot 512, 1917-23 Issues (Scott 528A-595)2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (539). Mint N.H., rich color and sharp impression, wide balanced margins and choice centering

EXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE ROTARY-PRESS COIL WASTE ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CONDITION. THIS IS ONE OF 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. The only example we have encountered in a better grade realized $22,000 hammer in the Scarsdale sale.

Ex Odeneal. With 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates

4,250
12,000