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
787
og
Sale 968B, Lot 787, Postage Due (Scott J1-J14)3c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color and detailed impression, choice centering for this difficult issue

A VERY FINE AND BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING, WHICH IS POSSIBLY THE RAREST OF ALL THE POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. THE COMBINATION OF ORIGINAL GUM AND SOUND CONDITION MAKES THIS STAMP ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.

Although 436 copies were reported sold, it is believed that 100 copies were destroyed in the Calman lot. A thorough search of the marketplace, combined with conversations with dealers and collectors, has confirmed the extreme rarity of this stamp.

A review of Power Search reveals that this is the eighth example we have sold in the last ten years. Of the other seven, only one is sound with full original gum. The other six examples have been either without gum or had faults. This sound, finely centered copy with original gum should be considered one of the most desirable of all.

Signed in pencil J.M. Bartels. With 2006 P.F. certificate

25,000
16,500