Sale 972 — The Laila Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 27-28 April, 2009
Category — Postage Due (J)
3c Deep Brown, Special Printing (J10). Unused (no gum), bright color and detailed impression, choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT IS POSSIBLY THE RAREST OF THE POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS, AND IS EXTREMELY ELUSIVE IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.
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.
This is the sixth example we have sold in the last five years. The other five are the Zoellner copy (original gum, inclusion, poorly centered), the Drucker copy (no gum, poorly centered), a third copy (original gum, reperfed at top), a fourth copy (part original gum, small crease), and a fifth copy (no gum and sound). This sound and centered copy should be considered very desirable.
Ex Hoffman. With 1950, 1995 and 2008 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as with original gum
