Sale 968B — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Three: 1902-34 Issues, B-O-B

Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 22-25 September, 2009

Category — Postage Due (Scott J1-J14)

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
785
nh
Sale 968B, Lot 785, Postage Due (Scott J1-J14)1c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J8). Mint N.H., intense shade and razor sharp impression on fresh paper

FINE. A WONDERFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle No. 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures. For the 1c, Mooz estimates 500 sold, but it is possible that as many as 400 purchased by G. B. Calman were destroyed. It is widely accepted that nearly 9,000 1c stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues. As an indication of rarity, we have sold only three others in Mint N.H. condition.

With 1976 and 1995 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged

22,500
10,000