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38 Selected Lots, Page 1 of 4
General/Issue
Date
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. block of four, large margins, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate
A stunning Mint Never-Hinged plate block of fourteen of the 5¢ 1908 imperforateDESCRIPTION
5¢ Blue, Imperforate (315), Mint N.H. wide top "BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING" imprint and plate number 4075 block of fourteen, huge margins all around, deep rich color
PROVENANCE
Weill Brothers' Stock, Christie's Robson Lowe sale, 10/12/1989, lot 278
James H. Gray, Jr., Shreves sale, 9/30/2005, lot 25, to Mr. Gross
CONDITION NOTES
Extremely Fine; bottom left stamp tiny natural inclusion
SCOTT CATALOGUE VALUE (2019)
$9,350.00 as plate block of six and eight Mint N.H. singles
HISTORY AND COMMENTARY
The 5¢ was issued as an imperforate stamp to be used by private vending machines. Only 34 sheets--13,500 stamps--were issued. 10,000 were sent to the Indianapolis post office and most were used in vending machines. A small quantity was saved in imperforate form, primarily by collectors who heard about the issue and were able to obtain small quantities at post offices in Indianapolis, Washington D.C. and New York.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. wide top margin block of four with arrow and Ball Marker, large margins other sides, deep rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A VERY SCARCE POSITION PIECE AND PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE FROM THE TOP OF THE SHEET AND IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
The blue Ball Marker, caused by ink settling into indentations from a Brinnell plate hardness measuring device, is only found on the top, right and left arrow blocks. Some arrow blocks do not have the Ball Markers at all.
Unpriced as Mint N.H.. Scott Retail as hinged (Mint N.H. would be at least $3,750.00)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. right margin block of four with partial arrow and guide line at top, deep color, faint natural gum wrinkle between right stamps, Very Fine and choice
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. wide right arrow block of four, large even margins other sides, bright color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ as a block), Scott Retail as two Mint N.H. pairs
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. block of four, large margins, some overall toning, otherwise Very Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. right imprint and plate no. 4073 block of six, large margins, deep rich color, natural inclusion in selvageEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
Unlike many examples of this issue, this plate block is bright and fresh, and the gum shows none of the toning that frequently plagues multiples.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 2953 block of six, large margins other sides, deep rich color, inconsequential small corner crease in sheet margin at top left where slightly reducedVERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
Ex Mayer
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, large margins all around, exceptionally fresh color on bright paper, bottom left stamp trivial small natural gum wrinkleEXTREMELY FINE. AN INCALCULABLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED CENTER LINE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE -- FAR RARER THAN A PLATE BLOCK AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
According to Johl, only 29 sheets of 400 of the 5c imperforate were issued. Most were sent to Indianapolis and the majority was used by manufacturers of private coils. Some unused were acquired by collectors (including 825 copies distributed to members of the Detroit Philatelic Society). As scarce and desirable as plate blocks are of this issue, centerline blocks are in an entirely separate category of rarity. For each sheet of 400 stamps there would have been eight plate blocks -- and only one centerline block. Power Search contains only one other centerline block (last offered in our 1988 Rarities sale) and it was hinged. The Philatelic Foundation records only this centerline block in Mint N.H. condition.
Unpriced in Scott as Mint N.H. Scott Retail for hinged $9,000.00 (versus $3,000.00 for a hinged plate block). The Scott premium for a Mint N.H. single versus a hinged single is 90%
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. left arrow block of four, large margins other sides, bright color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; unpriced in SMQ as a block), Scott Retail as two pairs
38 Selected Lots , Page 1 of 4
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