Sale 1260 — 2022 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 28 June, 2022
Category — 20th Century Issues
13c Purple Black (308). Mint N.H., detailed impression and rich color, almost perfectly centered with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT 1902 ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1990 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,000.00). Only five grade higher and one other shares this grade.
5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Mint N.H. left imprint and plate no. 2953 block of six, large margins, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE ISSUE.
With 2009 P.F. certificate
2c Louisiana Purchase, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (324a). The unique bottom right corner selvage pair, Positions 45/50, original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, insignificant tiny tear in outer selvage at right is of no consequenceFINE. THIS BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER-MARGIN PAIR COMES FROM THE ONLY PANE EVER DISCOVERED OF THE 2-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY. IT IS THE ONLY CORNER-MARGIN MULTIPLE WITH SELVAGE THAT EXISTS.
It is well-established that only one pane of 50 of this commemorative error was discovered. It was purchased as a new issue at the post office in Cleveland, Ohio, by A. W. Weigel of the Ohio Stamp Company. Very shortly thereafter, the pane, or at least a large part of it, became part of the George H. Worthington collection. The pane had been divided prior to the Worthington sale, to allow multiple collectors to obtain an example of the variety. In the Worthington auction, 26 of the 50 stamps were offered; the remaining 24 stamps were sold privately.
Our reconstruction of the pane of 50 includes six blocks of four, twelve pairs proven by photos and a pair from Positions 3/8 that we have not been able to verify with a photo. Among the blocks, the right arrow block is in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, and the unique plate block was sold in the Gross collection. The block in the Lilly collection (Positions 31-32/36-37) has not been seen in years and might have been divided into pairs.
Ex Francis Stern (Siegel Sale 309). With Ward handstamp in left selvage.
Digital reconstruction of the pane is available at: https://siegelauctions.com/legacy/324a-digitalreconstruction.jpg
2c Carmine, Louisiana Purchase, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (324a). Block of four, Positions 21-22/26-27, with horizontal guideline between stamps and with vertical guideline visible at left, original gum with minor hinge removal marks, brilliant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 2-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY. ONLY ONE PANE OF 50 WAS DISCOVERED, AND AT MOST FIVE BLOCKS ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
It is well-established that only one pane of 50 of this commemorative error was discovered. It was purchased as a new issue at the post office in Cleveland, Ohio, by A. W. Weigel of the Ohio Stamp Company. Very shortly thereafter, the pane, or at least a large part of it, became part of the George H. Worthington collection. The pane had been divided prior to the Worthington sale, to allow multiple collectors to obtain an example of the variety. In the Worthington auction, 26 of the 50 stamps were offered; the remaining 24 stamps were sold privately.
Our reconstruction of the pane of 50 includes six blocks of four, twelve pairs proven by photos and a pair from Positions 3/8 that we have not been able to verify with a photo. Among the blocks, the right arrow block is in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, and the unique plate block was sold in the Gross collection. The block in the Lilly collection (Positions 31-32/36-37) has not been seen in years and might have been divided into pairs.
Ex Louis Grunin and Leonard Sheriff.
Digital reconstruction of the pane is available at: https://siegelauctions.com/legacy/324a-digitalreconstruction.jpg
1c-10c Louisiana Purchase (323-327). Each with straight edge on one side, each tied by neat strike of "New York Madison Square Apr. 30 10:30AM, 1904" First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on large cover to Magazine Ala., sender's corner card of Scott Stamp & Coin Co., receiving backstamp of May 2, with note "This envelope was mailed on the same day above stamps were issued Apr. 30-1904", some edgewear, stamps with small faults and colors affected by light exposureFINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED FIRST DAY COVER WITH A COMPLETE SET OF THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE ISSUE, AND AN ARISTOCRAT OF FIRST DAY COVER COLLECTING.
Ex Burger and Fleetwood. With 1976 AFDCS and 1996 P.F. certificates. Scott value $65,000.00 E. 15,000-20,000
5c Dark Blue, Louisiana Purchase (326). Natural straight edge at right with guideline, tied by "St. Louis Mo. Apr. 29 6:30PM 1904 World's Fair St. Louis" Pre-First Day of Issue slogan machine cancel on legal-size cover to Anglo Austrian Bank in Vienna, Austria, with National Bank of Commerce printed return address, New York backstamp of May 1, vertical file fold well away from stamp and markingsVERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO PRE-FIRST DAY COVERS WITH THE 5-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE. IT IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY THREE PRE-FIRST DAY OR FIRST DAY COVERS SENT TO A FOREIGN DESTINATION. THE STAMP PROPERLY PAYS THE 5-CENT U.P.U. RATE. A WONDERFUL RARITY AND A TRUE COMMERCIAL USE.
Alan Berkun's article on the Louisiana Purchase FDCs appeared in First Days on Oct. 15, 2000. His census records only one other use of the 5c prior to the official first day of use of April 30. It is a Mekeel's Stamp Co. corner card cover with the 2c and 3c. The cover offered here, with the stamp properly paying the rate to a foreign destination and sent between two banks, is truly remarkable.
With 1970 AFDCS certificate. Unlisted in Scott, which prices the April 30 first day cover at $22,500.00
1c Jamestown (328). Tied by bold strike of "Newport News Va. Apr. 26 11:30 AM 1907" First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on picture postcard depicting the Monticello Hotel in Norfolk Va., to Newburgh N.Y., few light gum soaks around a few perf tipsVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE FIRST DAY USE OF THE ONE-CENT JAMESTOWN ISSUE. THERE ARE ONLY TEN DOCUMENTED FIRST DAYS FOR THIS ISSUE.
Fewer than 15 First Day covers are known for all three values of the Jamestown Issue, including ten of the 1c. Scott value $12,500.00 E. 3,000-4,000
5c Blue, Coil (351). Guide line pair, deep rich color and proof-like impression, remarkably well-centered with wide margins, bold Benton Harbor Mich. duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel, which on cover was dated Apr. 9, 1917 -- the "1917" is still visible in the right margin of the bottom stampEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE USED GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 5-CENT WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARKED VERTICAL COIL.
Scott 351 is the only 5c Washington-Franklin perforated vertical coil stamp ever produced. Demand proved to be so low that no others were made. It is rare as a used guide line pair, particularly in this choice condition.
With 2009 P.F. certificate on piece of Covel Manufacturing Co. cover. With 2011 and 2017 P.F. certificates as this off-cover guide line pair.
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Bright color, attractive margins and centeringVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1909 10-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 356.
With 2019 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Bright color on nicely blued paper, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER.
The June 1910 Third Assistant Postmaster General's report states that 4,400 (eleven sheets) of the 4c were printed on Bluish Paper. It is believed that none of the 4c and 8c Bluish Paper stamps were distributed to post offices, and that all of the examples in collectors' hands reached the market through the Travers-Steinmetz exchange and the 1914 National Museum trades to H. F. Colman (12 copies) and Nassau Stamp Company (65 copies).
Ex Geisler. With 1971 and 1989 P.F. certificates. With 1991 P.S.E. certificate
5c Blue (378). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, post-office fresh in every respectEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT WASHINGTON, SCOTT 378 -- GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $4,000.00). Only two grade higher at 100J and one other shares this desirable grade.
2c Carmine, Coil (388). Guide line pair, disturbed but full original gum, intense color and proof-like impression, outstanding centering rarely seen in any pair of this issue, never mind a guide line pairEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE RARE 1910 SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK 2-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 388.
This 2c coil was in production for only a short period of time before being superseded by the Perf 8-1/2 issue. Due to the greater popularity of the horizontal coils with users, combined with a wary attitude by many collectors that early coils were simply trimmed stamps, most were used and few preserved.
With 2001 A.P.S. and 2022 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85). Very few Scott 388 guide line pairs are graded by either the P.F. or P.S.E. Only one line pair grades higher on the P.F. website (at 90) with none equal to this 85. The P.S.E. Population Report mirrors those statistics, with one line pair each graded 85 and 90.
10c Orange, Panama-Pacific (400A). Mint N.H., wide margins and mathematically perfect centering, deep rich color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE HAS ACHIEVED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $5,850.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade and only one grades higher (at 100J, realized $30,000 hammer in our Sale 1197).
5c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (403). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on brilliant paper, essentially perfect centering with huge Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT PERF 10 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
Ex Henson. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,850.00). Only one grades higher (at 100) and three share this grade. The SMQ value for this stamp, which has remained unchanged since at least 2017, is woefully low. Each of the 98 Jumbo Scott 403s we have offered have realized hammer prices between $6,750 and $10,000.
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, exceptional centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 11 5-CENT ROSE ERROR, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Hanover" and Myerson. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,250.00). Only two grade higher (at 100)
$1.00 Violet Brown (518). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 518, GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E.
With 2015 P.F. and 2018 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $4,500.00). Only three grade higher and three others share this desirable grade.
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (634b).Mint N.H. bottom left plate no. 19931 block of four, radiant color in the true Carmine Lake shadeVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A VERY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT CARMINE LAKE SHADE. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
We have offered only two others since keeping computerized records, including one with gum disturbance.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II (634A). Mint N.H., brilliant color, essentially perfect centering with wide margins, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 634A, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,950.00). Only four grade higher (at 100)
4c Mesa Verde, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (743a). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, without the brown Post Office paper on reverse, well-centered with wide margins, deep rich color, typical natural gum creaseEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT MESA VERDE IMPERFORATE BETWEEN ERROR. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES KNOWN.
Only 15 pairs have been recorded, and 6-9 have the Post Office paper adherence. Ex Liberman. With 1978 and 2016 P.F. certificates
15c John Paul Jones, Perf 12 (1789B). Mint N.H., deep rich colors, fresh in every respectVERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE PERF 12 JOHN PAUL JONES ISSUE.
This issue was printed by the American Bank Note Company and perforated in three different formats: Perf 11 x 12 (Scott 1789), Perf 11 All Around (Scott 1789A) and Perf 12 All Around (Scott 1789B). It is believed that the USPS was unaware that there were different perforations. The Perf 12 All Around is by far the rarest.
With 2005 P.S.E. and 2020 P.F. certificates.