Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — 1902-08 Issues (Scott 300-320)
1c Blue Green (300). Mint N.H., precise centering with wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $750.00), only two grade higher (at 100)
3c Bright Violet (302). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1902 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex Dr. Morris. With 1991 and 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,500.00). Only three grade higher (at 98J) and four others share this desirable grade
4c Brown (303). Top imprint and plate no. 1479 block of six with wide selvage, top right stamp and selvage barely hinged, other five stamps Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, well-balanced margins, Very Fine, with 2020 P.F. certificate
13c Purple Black (308). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT BENJAMIN HARRISON 1902 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY THE P.F.
With 2020 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo)
$2.00 Dark Blue (312). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1902 ISSUE IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F. -- A PHENOMENAL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
The 1902-03 Regular Issue was a great improvement over the Bureau's first efforts in 1894 and 1895. Perforations tend to be cleaner, and centering better, but the large plate layout and perforating method still resulted in a large number of poorly centered stamps. Collecting practices of hinging stamps into albums and time have left very few superb Mint N.H. examples for today's collectors. This is particularly true for the high $2.00 and $5.00 values of this series, which were printed in much smaller quantities than the lower values. This stamp should be considered a true condition rarity.
Ex "Golden Oak". With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has four at this grade, but we have not offered any since 2010. Looking at the centering on the example offered here, we are surprised this did not grade 98, an opinion no doubt shared by others, as this realized $25,000 hammer in our 2013 "Golden Oak" sale versus SMQ equivalent of $14,400.00 at the time.
1c Blue Green, Imperforate (314). Mint N.H., enormous margins with parts of all eight adjoining stamps, rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in this grade, SMQ $450.00 as 100)
1c Blue Green, Imperforate (314). Mint N.H., huge margins with part of four adjoining stamps and wide top part imprint selvage, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $450.00)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. with left plate no. 2953 sheet margin, deep rich color, enormous margins all around with portions of adjoining stampsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1908 5-CENT BLUE IMPERFORATE ISSUE, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND ONE OF ONLY TWO TO ACHIEVE IT.
Unlike the much more common 1c imperforate (Scott 314), whose plate block catalogues $325.00 as Mint N.H., the 5c is much scarcer. The hinged plate block catalogues $3,000.00 and Mint N.H. plate block catalogues $4,750.00, so the supply of multiples that can be cut apart to make high grade singles is extremely limited.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $2,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and shared by only one other. No pairs are even close to achieving this high grade.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., deep rich color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in this grade, SMQ $850.00 as 95, $1,000.00 as 98)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. with wide top sheet margin, large margins other sides, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H., full to large margins, deep shade, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $750.00)
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, large margins all around, exceptionally fresh color on bright paper, bottom left stamp trivial small natural gum wrinkleEXTREMELY FINE. AN INCALCULABLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED CENTERLINE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE -- FAR RARER THAN A PLATE BLOCK AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
According to Johl, only 29 sheets of 400 of the 5c imperforate were issued. Most were sent to Indianapolis and the majority was used by manufacturers of private coils. Some unused were acquired by collectors (including 825 copies distributed to members of the Detroit Philatelic Society). As scarce and desirable as plate blocks are of this issue, centerline blocks are in an entirely separate category of rarity. For each sheet of 400 stamps there would have been eight plate blocks -- and only one centerline block. Power Search lists only two other centerline blocks (2008 and 1988 Rarities sales) and both were hinged.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins all around, deep rich color, wavy-line machine cancelEXTREMELY FINE. THE 1908 5-CENT IMPERFORATE IS EXTREMELY RARE IN USED CONDITION, ESPECIALLY AS A MULTIPLE. THIS OUTSTANDING PAIR IS THE HIGHEST GRADED BY P.S.E.
According to Johl, only 29 sheets of 400 of the 5c imperforate were issued. Most were sent to Indianapolis and the majority was used by manufacturers of private coils. Some unused were no doubt kept by collectors -- 825 copies were distributed to members of the Detroit Philatelic Society. It is possible that most of the used copies originate from this supply.
Ex Hillmer, "Natalee Grace" and Depew. With 1987 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $6,500.00). This is the highest graded pair in the P.S.E. Population Report and it is matched by no others
5c Blue, Imperforate, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. III (315). Guide line pair, rich color and choice centering, right stamp small pencil notations on gum, Very Fine and rare guide line pair, with 2007 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. I, Imperforate (320). Huge Jumbo margins with portions of all eight surrounding stamps, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in this grade, SMQ $400.00 as 100)
2c Lake, Ty. II, Imperforate (320A). Mint N.H., huge margins including parts of five adjoining stamps and part imprint at right, deep shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $925.00), only eight grade higher and two others share this desirable grade -- low population numbers