9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 1094 — The Curtis Collection: Back of Book and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 March, 2015
Category — Parcel Post (Scott Q1-Q12)
1c-10c Parcel Post (Q1-Q3, Q5, Q6). Plate blocks of six, 1c and 2c in both formats (with and without "ONE" or "TWO" lettering), three tops and one 2c bottom, 1c Mint N.H. with gum skips and the other lightly hinged, both 2c Mint N.H., one with gum skips and bends, all four of these exceptionally well-centered and Extremely Fine, 3c side format block of eight with "THREE", lightly hinged, Fine-Very Fine, 5c bottom, narrow h.r. on couple stamps and in selvage where perf separations reinforced, Fine, finally 10c top, h.r. in selvage, Fine, an attractive and worthwhile group
4c Parcel Post (Q4). Mint N.H. bottom left corner plate no. 6350 block of eight, deep rich color, Very Fine, Scott Retail as plate block of six and two Mint N.H. singles
4c Parcel Post (Q4). Top plate no. 6170 block of six, not hinged but some perfs reinforced in selvage and slightly into the top row, vivid color, Very Fine
5c Parcel Post (Q5). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 6216 block of six, gorgeous color on bright paper, well-centered throughout with wide margins, Extremely Fine, a lovely plate block
5c Parcel Post (Q5). Bottom right corner plate no. 6222 block of 15, half-arrow natural s.e. at left, siderographer's initials at bottom right, stamps Mint N.H., single narrow h.r. in selvage at bottom where perf separations reinforced, pencil notation in selvage (probably original), few light natural gum wrinkles affecting three stamps, Fine-Very Fine
10c Parcel Post (Q6). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
10c Parcel Post (Q6). Top plate no. 6164 block of six, not hinged but some reinforced perf separations between pos. 1 and 2 would likely knock this out of the Mint N.H. category, extra wide margins in top row, bright color, selvage perf separations, Very Fine
15c Parcel Post (Q7). Bottom plate no. 6259 block of six, barest trace of hinging, deep rich color, bright and crisp, Very Fine
20c Parcel Post (Q8). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6192 block of six with wide selvage, gorgeous deep shade on fresh paper, top middle stamp small natural inclusions at top leftVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A SCARCE AND BEAUTIUFL MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 20-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE.
The 20c Parcel Post stamp depicts a plane flying over a town, with the label "Aeroplane Carrying Mail". The stamp was first issued on December 16, 1912, which is almost six years before the first flight to actually carry mail, on May 15, 1918. This is the first postage stamp anywhere in the world to depict an airplane.
This Mint N.H. top plate position block is one of the finest extant. We have not offered another since our 2009 sale of the MLG collection
20c Parcel Post (Q8). Top plate no. 6194 block of nine, plate block of six Mint N.H., bottom center stamp h.r., others Mint N.H., few natural gum skips, radiant color, natural inclusion bottom center stamp, Fine, scarce Mint N.H. plate block
25c Parcel Post (Q9). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 6175 block of six, beautiful color and impression on bright paper, wide margins throughoutVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 25-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE.
With 1995 P.F. certificate
50c Parcel Post (Q10). Barest trace of hinging, wide balanced margins, bright color on crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $550.00)
50c Parcel Post (Q10). Wide bottom plate no. 6424 and "FIFTY" block of six, bottom center stamp disturbed original gum, rich color and detailed impression, outstanding margins and centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE CENTERED PLATE NUMBER AND "FIFTY" BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 50-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE.
The Parcel Post issues were printed from plates of 180 which consisted of four panes of 45. According to Johl, the uniform color of the twelve denominations led to confusion on the part of postal clerks, who complained that they were forced to examine the stamps in detail to ensure they had the correct values. In response, on January 27, 1913, large capital letters were added to the margins near each plate number. At top and bottom the imprint is in the selvage next to the plate number; on the sides it is separated by a stamp with blank selvage.
From the bottom right pane. Power Search located only three other top or bottom plate blocks of six offered in our sales since 1993, including a top (which may be unique) and two bottoms from the MLG collection
50c Parcel Post (Q10). Wide bottom plate no. 6428 and "FIFTY" block of six, slightly disturbed original gum, faint gum bend, fresh colorFINE-VERY FINE. A VERY RARE PLATE NUMBER AND "FIFTY" BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 50-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE.
The Parcel Post issues were printed from plates of 180 which consisted of four panes of 45. According to Johl, the uniform color of the twelve denominations led to confusion on the part of postal clerks, who complained that they were forced to examine the stamps in detail to ensure they had the correct values. In response, on January 27, 1913, large capital letters were added to the margins near each plate number. At top and bottom the imprint is in the selvage next to the plate number; on the sides it is separated by a stamp with blank selvage.
With 2005 P.F. certificate
50c Parcel Post (Q10). Perfin initials (General Electric?) and tied by unclear duplex cancel on Wendel Photographic Art Studio N.Y. large cover to noted game hunter and taxidermist George Lesser in Johnston N.Y., stamp with small perf flaw and cover with a few edge tears, Fine appearing and very scarce use of this issue on cover, apparently carried a photo negative of three people, which transferred a ghost image to the inside of the cover
75c Parcel Post (Q11). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright fresh paper, wide and balanced margins, light natural gum bend not mentioned on certificate, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00)
75c Parcel Post (Q11). Top plate no. 6287 block of six, lightly hinged, choice centering with wide margins, perf separations in selvage and few reinforced between pos. 4 and 5, still Extremely Fine, a beautiful centered plate block
75c Parcel Post (Q11). Pane of 45 from the top left of the sheet, with plate no. 6287 at left and top, bright color, roller cancel, few small faults, Fine-Very Fine, also including used pane of 45 of Q1 with Cleveland O. precancel, plate blocks are unpriced as used in Scott
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Mint N.H., beautifully centered with Jumbo margins, rich color, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PARCEL POST ISSUE.
With 1997 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $4,000.00)
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Block of six with plate no. 6265 and part of "ONE DOL(LAR)" at top, stamps Mint N.H., top right stamp large natural gum skip, h.r. in selvage, rich color and choice centeringVERY FINE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE ONE DOLLAR PARCEL POST WITH PLATE NUMBER AND MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.
This is the ultimate "almost" plate block of the $1.00 Parcel Post issue. If this had been printed in 1912, it would be a top plate block of six with Scott Retail of $18,000.00. However, due to confusion among postal employees in differentiating the values of the series, which were of uniform color, marginal imprints spelling out the denomination were added to the plates beginning on Jan. 27, 1913. Since the "ONE DOLLAR" imprint is too long to be contained above one stamp, the $1.00 plate block of six (as well as the 25c and 75c values) must show the plate number at one side and the imprint straddling all three top or bottom stamps to be considered a plate block.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. singles without regard to the plate number or part imprint
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Intense shade on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, light strike of oval registry cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $475.00), only one used Q12 has graded higher and only one other shares this grade
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Complete pane of 45 from the lower right of the sheet, natural s.e. at top and left, each stamp with bold Chicago Ill. registry double oval cancel, top right stamp tiny sealed edge tear, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a rare and desirable used pane, Scott Retail as blocks of four and singles
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Two parcel tags, one with block of five and three Washington-Franklins (Nos. 462, 463, 475), sent between U.S. Asst. Treasurers from Cincinnati to New Orleans, other with block of eight (3x3 missing bottom center stamp) on portion of package, small flaws, appear Fine, scarce uses
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Used with two pairs No. 304 and single No. 405, tied by "Bethel Alabama Jan. 11, 1916" circular datestamps on parcel tag to Seattle Fur Sales, Seattle Wash., some minor wrinkling of tag and stamps, Fine and scarce use
1c-$1.00 Parcel Post (Q1-Q12). Used blocks of four of all but the 25c value, blocks of nine of the 10c and 50c, plus plate block of six of 3c and block of six of 10c with plate no. and imprint, range of cancels with some relatively attractive, small flaws and separations as usual for used multiples of this issue, Very Good-Very Fine
1913 Parcel Post and Parcel Post Postage Due Issues, Cover Collection (Q1-Q7, JQ1-JQ4). Fascinating collection mounted on album pages, 22 covers with denominations through the 15c for the Parcel Post and through the 10c for the Dues, several July 1913 early uses (the stamps became valid for use on regular mail on July 1, 1913), one 5c used to Shanghai, one 2c and 3c used to Sweden, 15c used to India, lots of multiples, combinations and uses with other regular stamps, some flaws to be found but overall a Very Fine and worthwhile collection
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