30c Orange Red, Perf 10
(476A). Position 19 from Plate 6911, Mint N.H., very deep and intense
color, sharp proof-like impression on bright white paper, very
well-centered for this difficult stampFRESH AND VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 30-CENT PERF 10 ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.
In an article in Philatelic Opinions V published by the Philatelic Foundation, William T. Crowe, head of the Expert Committee, discusses the discovery of this rare stamp and how it might have been issued. The production of Scott 476A occurred during the period of transition from gauge-10 perfs to gauge 11. Bureau records do not list a 30c printing on unwatermarked paper that was perforated 10, but the existence of two certified panes--one bottom-right pane from Plate 6917 and one top-right pane from Plate 6911--is evidence that the combination of new unwatermarked paper and old 10-gauge perfs occurred, even if inadvertantly. Stamps from these two panes (200 total), two left sheet-margin blocks of four and a bottom plate no. 6914 single, none of which have any trace of watermark, are the only accepted examples of Scott 476A.
With 1984 P.F. certificate (Image)
30c Orange Red, Perf 10
(476A). Position 10 from Plate 6911, Mint N.H. with full top right
corner margin, very deep and intense color, sharp proof-like impression
on bright white paperFRESH AND FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 30-CENT PERF 10 ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER. POSITION 10 FROM PLATE 6911 IS THE ONLY POSITION WITH TOP RIGHT CORNER SELVAGE.
With 1984 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil,
(491). Joint line pair, barely hinged, deep rich color, very
well-centered with nicely balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE RARE TYPE II JOINT LINE PAIR WITH CENTERING ALMOST NEVER SEEN ON THIS ISSUE.
With 1977 and 1999 P.F. certificates (Image)
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane
(498f). Mint N.H. complete pane of 30 stamps, deep rich color,
phenomenal centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A CHOICE MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT A.E.F. BOOKLET PANE.
With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Rose, Ty. I, A.E.F. Booklet
Pane (499f). Complete pane of 30, Position W2, lightly hinged, deep
rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE BOOKLET PANE. IT IS BELIEVED NO MORE THAN TWENTY PANES EXIST, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE POORLY CENTERED. THIS INCREDIBLY WELL-CENTERED EXAMPLE RANKS AMONG THE FINEST EXTANT.
With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia
(500). Mint N.H. top plate no. 10208 block of six, incredibly intense
Deep Rose color on fresh paper, remarkably well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE AND CHOICE PLATE BLOCK OF THE TYPE IA PLATE BLOCK WITH FULL TOP SELVAGE.
Full top plate blocks of Scott 500 from the experimental Type Ia plate are rare and almost invariably off center. This is one of the finest we have ever encountered.
With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
6c Red Orange, Perf 10 at Top
(506a). Bright color, well-centered with wide and even margins all
around, bold "Scranton PA" precancel, top right corner crease and small
tear, Extremely Fine appearance (Image)
12c Claret Brown, Perf 10 at
Bottom (512b). Neat "Reading Pa." precancel, rich color, thin spot,
tear at top right, otherwise Fine, rare
(Image)