Sale 895 — 2005 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Friday, 3 June, 2005
Category — Later Issues (Scott 711 thru 1789B)
6c Red Orange, Washington Bicentennial, Small Die Proof on Wove (711P2). 25 x 28mm, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, reportedly unique, with 1989 P.F. certificate
30c Deep Blue, Presidential (830b). Mint N.H. pane of 100 with plate no. at top right and full gutter snipe at left, natural s.e. at left leaves vertical row to left of gutter intact and allowing for ten gutter pairs, deep rich color, perf separationsFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS PANE OF THE 30-CENT PRESIDENTIAL IN THE DEEP BLUE COLOR IS REPORTEDLY UNIQUE. A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION ITEM PARTICULARLY WITH THE FULL GUTTER SNIPE.
According to The Prexies by Roland Rustad, in a report in the American Philatelist President Franklin Roosevelt was presented with two 30c sheets, one in this Deep Blue shade and the other in Ultramarine. He chose the Ultramarine for the issued stamp, and the Blue sheet was taken back to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for destruction. A block of four was saved for President Roosevelt, a known stamp collector. Since then, other examples in the Deep Blue shade have surfaced. The sheet was printed from a subject of 400 divided into four panes of 100, and it is likely that this remarkable pane comes from the original sheet.
With 1970 P.F. certificate specifically stating that this is the Deep Blue color. Scott Retail is $125.00 per stamp. The plate block, which is exceedingly rare, and the gutter snipes, which are possibly unique to this sheet, are unpriced in Scott.
5c Authors, Large Die Proof on India (862P1). Die sunk on 149 x 200mm card with full die sinkage, crisp impression, control no. 70039 on back, minor corner wear, Very Fine, scarce, undercatalogued in Scott at $800.00
3c Poets, Dark Blue Violet, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (866TC1). Die sunk on 153 x 203mm card with full die sinkage, deep rich color, control no. 30040 on back, minor corner bendsVERY FINE. THIS LARGE DIE TRIAL COLOR PROOF OF THE 3-CENT POETS IS BELIEVED TO BE UNIQUE. IT IS ONE OF ONLY TWO TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE FAMOUS AMERICAN SERIES. A GREAT RARITY.
Undercatalogued in Scott at $900.00
2c Scientists, Large Die Proof on India (875P1). Die sunk on 152 x 203mm card with full die sinkage, rich color, control no. 70041 on back, minor corner wear, otherwise Very Fine, scarce, undercatalogued in Scott at $800.00
5c Composers, Large Die Proof on India (882P1). Die sunk on 152 x 203mm card with full die sinkage, rich color, control no. 70042 on back, minor corner bends, Very Fine, scarce, undercatalogued in Scott at $800.00
3c Inventors, Large Die Proof on India (891P1). Die sunk on 152 x 203mm card with full die sinkage, rich color, control no. 70043 on back, Very Fine, scarce, undercatalogued in Scott at $800.00
1c Defense, Large Die Proof on India (899P1). Die sunk on 140 x 162mm card with full die sinkage, radiant color, tiny toned spot on card only, Very Fine, very rare large die proof, undercatalogued in Scott at $800.00
4c Dag Hammarskjold Error (1203 var). Selvage at right, bright colors clearly showing the yellow background inverted, tied by "New York N.Y. Oct. 23 9:00 A.M. 1962" First Day cancel on unaddressed coverVERY FINE. A RARE GENUINE FIRST DAY COVER WITH ORIGINAL DAG HAMMARSKJOLD ERROR.
The stamp on this First Day Cover is the original Hammarskjold Invert error, which, as collectors know, was reprinted by the U.S. Post Office as Scott No. 1204 (the aptly named "Special Printing") on November 16, in a successful effort to destroy the market value of the inverts discovered by Leonard Sherman. What is less known is that a number of October 23 First Days included examples of the original invert -- the dated cancels effectively documenting their status as originals, rather than the reprinted error (No. 1204).
Accompanied by block of four of the reprint on Nov. 16 First Day cover for comparison. With 1976 A.F.D.C.S. and 1978 Friedl certificates
15c John Paul Jones, Perf 12 (1789B). Clear slogan cancel at top, some minor creasingVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE USED EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 12 JOHN PAUL JONES ISSUE.
Very few used copies are recorded.