Sale 1197 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 14-15 March, 2019
Category — 1913-15 Panama-Pacific Issue, DeBroff Finest Graded Set (Scott 397-404)
1c Panama-Pacific (397). Mint N.H., beautiful wide margins and mathematically perfect centering, deep rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, ex Merlin, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,000.00), only one has graded higher (we have never offered it) and this is the first in this grade we have offered since 2012, when we sold this exact stamp
2c Panama-Pacific (398). Mint N.H., radiant color and detailed impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, easily one of the finest in existence, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $1,100.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only five others share it, we have offered only one other in this very desirable grade
5c Panama-Pacific (399). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE.
Ex Whitman and Merlin. With 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,750.00). Only one has graded higher (at 100J, we have never offered it) and only three others share this grade. This is the first in this grade we have offered since 2012, when we sold this exact stamp
10c Orange Yellow, Panama-Pacific (400). Mint N.H., vibrant color, Jumbo margins and mathematically precise centering, tiny natural inclusion of no consequence not mentioned on accompanying certificatesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE YELLOW PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE. THIS IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Whitman and Merlin. With 1997 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,450.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others. This is the first in this grade we have offered since 2012, when we sold this exact stamp
10c Orange, Panama-Pacific (400A). Mint N.H. with wide right plate no. 6139 selvage, deep rich color and proof-like impression, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE IS GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING CHART AND THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 1993 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced above the grade of 100, SMQ $5,850.00 as 100). This is the highest grade possible and it is the only example to achieve this grade. For all Panama-Pacific stamps (Scott 397-404), only two others have an example graded 100 Jumbo -- Scott Nos. 397 (1c) and 399 (5c). Each has one copy at this grade. This is the only 10c stamp of the series to obtain this perfect grade.
1c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (401). Mint N.H., with top plate no. 6944 selvage, deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 1993 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $900.00), only two have graded higher (one at 100, realized $5,000 hammer in 2017 and one at 98J, we have never sold it), ten others share this grade but they rarely appear on the market -- we have offered only one other, in 2013
2c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (402). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PERF 10 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE IS GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $3,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is the only example to achieve it. SMQ value is far too low, especially given the low population report numbers at higher grades. We sold the only example graded 98 Jumbo for $15,500 hammer in 2010, and the last example graded 98 we sold (population of five) brought more than the SMQ value of this 100.
5c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (403). Mint N.H., deep rich color on unusually bright paper, Jumbo margins and perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT PERF 10 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 1983 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,850.00 in no way reflects its true rarity -- the SMQ value for a 98 is only $250.00 less than this). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others, a statistic that has not changed since 2009. We have offered only one of the others, which brought $10,000 hammer in 2017
10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Mint N.H., vibrant color and detailed impression on bright paper, almost mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO ARE GRADED HIGHER.
Long before numerical grading, the rarity of 10c Panama-Pacific Perf 10 stamps in superb condition (hinged or not) was well-established. The 10-gauge perfs on this issue are almost always uneven or shortened from separation. Centering is rarely above Fine. Finally, the Orange ink on many examples has darkened. This stamp is the exception on all counts.
With 2018 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $8,250.00). Only two Mint N.H. examples have graded higher (at 100, one of which realized $35,000 hammer in our Sale 1075 in 2014).