Sale 1197 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 14-15 March, 2019
Category — Special Delivery thru Offices in China










EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1922 10-CENT SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE IS AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2019 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $2,100.00). Only one has graded higher (never offered in our auctions) and only two others share this grade (ex Whitman and "Hanover").


VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle No. 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures. For the 1c, Mooz estimates 500 sold, but it is possible that as many as 400 purchased by G. B. Calman were destroyed. It is widely accepted that nearly 9,000 1c stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues.
With 1999 P.F. certificate


VERY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.
The reported sale figures for the rare 1c, 2c and 3c Postage Due Special Printings probably include orders filled with regular stamps, as all three are far rarer than the reported sales numbers would suggest. This is rarely offered with any form of original gum.
With 1995 P.F. certificate stating original gum


EXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT IS THE RAREST OF THE 1879 POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS.
Although 436 copies were reported sold, it is believed that 100 copies were destroyed in the Calman lot. A thorough search of the marketplace, combined with conversations with dealers and collectors, has confirmed the extreme rarity of this stamp in sound centered condition. This example is one of the finest known.
With 1959 and 2018 P.F. certificates

















FINE-VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE SET OF BLOCKS OF THE OFFICES IN CHINA.
Scott Retail as two hinged sets and two Mint Never-Hinged sets






