Sale 972 — The Laila Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 27-28 April, 2009
Category — 1880-83 American Bank Note Co. Soft Paper Special Printing (Scott 192-211D)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
3203
5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, almost perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. 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 Scott 205C (available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/205C/205C.pdf ) illustrates the 21 recorded examples (only three have faults).
Census No. 205C-UNC-13. Ex Vineyard. With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates
85,000
85,000