Sale 1021 — The Frelinghuysen Collection, Part Two
Sale Date — Thursday, 29 March, 2012
Category — 1909 Washington-Franklin Bluish Paper Issue (Scott 359-366)
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Disturbed original gum, rich color, ample to wide margins, short perf at upper right, otherwise Very Fine
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Rich color on deeply blued paper, narrow h.r. at top, three extra wide marginsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND UNUSUALLY WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off-center to some extent.
With 2011 P.F. certificate
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Slightly disturbed original gum, rich color on nicely blued paper, wide to full marginsFINE EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
The 5c is the third rarest of the set and the rarest of the regularly-issued Bluish Paper stamps. The 4c and 8c were released by postal officials and not sold through the post office.
Small blue backstamp
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Wide top selvage, narrow h.r. near bottom and two tiny h.r. slivers between stamp and selvage, bright color, Fine
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Narrow h.r. at top, beautiful centering with wide margins, intense color on deeply blued paper, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER. ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLES WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. A review of Power Search and our Levi records revealed only a handful with centering comparable to this example.
With 2011 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Disturbed original gum, vibrant color, perf flaw at top, appears Fine
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Narrow h.r. at top, slight gum disturbance at bottom, deep rich color on blued paper, Fine
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). H.r., vivid color on fresh paper, attractive margins, Fine
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H. block of four with top right corner selvage, each stamp with small "W.H.C." (Warren H. Colson) backstamp, bright color on nicely blued paper which stands out particularly in the selvage, small pencil notation in corner selvage, bottom right stamp tiny natural inclusionFINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH.
Scott Retail for hinged block of four is $6,000.00. Scott Retail as four Mint N.H. singles