Sale 924 — The Scarsdale Collection, Part 3: Bank Note and Bureau Issues and Postage Dues
Sale Date — Tuesday, 14 November, 2006
Category — 1895-97 Watermarked Bureau Postage Due Issue
1c Deep Claret (J38). Original gum, barest trace of what may be hinging (appears Mint N.H.), intense color and impression, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem example of the main Scott-listed shade, with 2000 P.F. certificate
1c Claret (J38 var). Mint N.H., radiant color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem example of this sub-shade, faint pencil notation on back, with 2004 P.F. certificate
1c Carmine (J38 var). Mint N.H., pretty color in a warmer shade than the previous two lots, choice centering with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine example of this sub-shade, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Claret (J39 var). Mint N.H., brilliant color on crisp paper, detailed impression, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate as Deep Claret
3c Claret (J40 var). Mint N.H., rich color described on accompanying certificate as Deep Claret (the default shade) but we would identify this as the Claret shade, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate for block of four and 2000 P.F. certificate as single in the Deep Claret shade
3c Claret (J40 var). Mint N.H., rich color on crisp paper, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine example of this sub-shade, with 2000 P.F. certificate
3c Deep Claret (J40). Mint N.H., rich color which to us seems to approach the Carmine shade, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine
5c Deep Claret (J41). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on bright paper, beautiful centering with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, an attractive stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate
5c Carmine Rose (J41 var). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, radiant color, perfectly centered with wide margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 5-CENT WATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE, IN THE DESIRABLE CARMINE ROSE SUB-SHADE.
With 1988 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former describing the shade as Claret and the latter as Carmine Rose
5c Carmine Rose (J41 var). Mint N.H., attractive warm shade on crisp paper, Very Fine and choice example of this sub-shade, with 1999 P.F. certificate
5c Deep Claret (J41). Mint N.H., brilliant color which to us appears to be the Claret shade, choice centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp of great visual appeal, with 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Deep Claret (J42). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Claret (J42 var). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
10c Carmine (J42 var). Mint N.H. with bottom left corner selvage, brilliant color and detailed impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins on all sidesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE IN THE CARMINE SUB-SHADE. THIS MAY WELL BE THE FINEST COPY IN EXISTENCE. A REMARKABLE STAMP.
With 2003 P.F. certificate
30c Deep Claret (J43). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 30-CENT WATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
A search of our past auction catalogues yielded only four Mint N.H. stamps. Of these, only one other rated the grade of Extremely Fine
With 1999 P.F. certificate.
50c Deep Claret (J44). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT DEEP CLARET 1897 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. THIS BUREAU ISSUE IS ONE OF THE RAREST POSTAGE DUES IN ANY CHOICE GRADE.
With 1982 and 1999 P.F. certificates. The older certificate describes this as Deep Claret and the more recent certificate describes this as Claret, looking at the stamp in comparison to the previous lot and the next lot confirms that this is the Deep Claret shade.
50c Claret (J44 var). Mint N.H., brilliant color and crisp impression, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 50-CENT WATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.
A search of our computerized records shows that this is the finest Mint N.H. example we have offered since our Zoellner auction in 1998. P.S.E.'s Population Report shows the highest grade they have awarded is a 90.
With 2004 P.F. certificate