Sale 1290 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 June, 2023
Category — Officials featuring Special Pintings from the Mooz Estate
$2.00 Green & Black, State (O68). Original gum, fresh colors, Fine
$2.00 Green & Black, State (O68). Unused (regummed), perfs in at right, large sealed tear, otherwise Fine
$5.00 Green & Black, State (O69). Original gum, strong colors, small thin spot at center not mentioned on accompanying certificate, appears Fine, with 1973 A.P.S. certificate
$10.00 Green & Black, State (O70). Small part original gum called "traces" on accompanying certificate, Fine, with 1975 P.F. certificate, Scott value as no-gum
$20.00 Green & Black, State (O71). Original gum, dark colors, few short perfs at lower right and also reperfed, otherwise Fine, with 1973 A.P.S. certificate noting only the short perfs
1c Yellow, Agriculture, Soft Paper (O94). Without gum as issued, brilliant color on bright white paper, attractive centering and marginsVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT AGRICULTURE AMERICAN BANK NOTE PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER.
The American Bank Note Co. printings on soft porous paper are prone to faults. This is a fresh sound example
24c Vermilion, Interior, Soft Paper (O103). Unused (no gum), bright color, tiny surface scrapes in margin at upper left, appears Fine, with 1978 A.P.S. certificate
1c-30c Agriculture, Specimen Ovpt. (O1S-O9S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, attractive margins and centering, a couple small flaws may be found but this set was compiled by selecting top-tier examples from numerous sets owned by Mooz, overall fresh and Fine-Very Fine, of the 3c to 30c values a range of 352 to 390 each were sold
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1c-30c Agriculture, Specimen Ovpt. (O1S-O9S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, centering to touched, a few small flaws may be found including 2c pulled perf and couple others short perfs, but this set was compiled by selecting examples without obvious faults from numerous sets owned by Mooz, overall fresh and Fine-Very Fine appearance, of the 3c to 30c values a range of 352 to 390 each were sold
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1c-30c Agriculture, Specimen Ovpt. (O1S-O9S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, centering to touched or just in, some flaws to be expected including some nibbed perfs, overall Fine or appear so, of the 3c to 30c values a range of 352 to 390 each were sold
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2c Yellow, Agriculture, "Sepcimen" Error (O2Sa). Without gum as issued, brilliant color, fresh and Fine, rare with only approximately ten known
12c Yellow, Agriculture, "Sepcimen" Error (O6Sa). Vibrant shade, perfs clear all around with wide margin at left, stain at left from small clumsy repair, which replaces a piece of the edge approx. 4mm long and 1mm wide (a small bit of skilled restoration would significantly improve the appearance)FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT AGRICULTURE WITH "SEPCIMEN" SPELLING ERROR. FEWER THAN FIVE ARE KNOWN.
Only 379 copies of the 12c Agriculture Special Printing were sold, but it is not known how the stamps were taken from the sheets or if full sheets were exhausted before breaking a subsequent sheet. If full sheets were used, then at most four errors were sold, the number of examples we record.
With 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott value $15,000.00
1c Violet Rose, Executive, Soft Porous Paper, Specimen Ovpt. (O10xS). Two blocks of four which originally formed a block of eight, without gum as issued, blocks hinged together (somewhat inaccurately), right block with selvage at right, the top two stamps in that block with creases, Fine appearance, the left block Very Fine, Scott value as two blocks of four
1c-90c Interior, Specimen Ovpt. (O15S-O24S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, some scissors-separation but nearly all sides appear to have full perfs, some small flaws and a couple sides reperfed, 90c with extraneous light horizontal linesFINE APPEARANCE. THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SET IS ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OFFICIAL SPECIAL PRINTING SETS TO THE 90-CENT VALUE.
Of the 3c to 90c values, between 75 and 88 were sold, for a total of 635 stamps, making the Interior Department set one of the two rarest of the 1c-90c Special Printings (the Treasury Department has 646 sold, excluding the 7c).
1c-90c Interior, Specimen Ovpt. (O15S-O24S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, some small flaws but perfs intact except for a couple sidesFINE APPEARANCE. THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SET IS ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OFFICIAL SPECIAL PRINTING SETS TO THE 90-CENT VALUE.
Of the 3c to 90c values, between 75 and 88 were sold, for a total of 635 stamps, making the Interior Department set one of the two rarest of the 1c-90c Special Printings (the Treasury Department has 646 sold, excluding the 7c)
1c-90c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O25S-O34S). Complete set, without gum as issued, fresh colors, some scissors-separation but essentially all sides with full perfs, attractive centering with the 15c particularly choice and Extremely Fine, a couple small flaws to be found but the stamps in this set were selected from a substantial group owned by Mooz, picking choice examples without obvious faultsFINE-VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
The sold quantities of the 3c-90c denominations in this set range from from 150-178.
1c-90c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O25S-O34S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, mostly full perfs, a few sides trimmed or blunted by scissors separation, a few of the typical flaws but overall fresh and attractive appearanceOVERALL FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
The sold quantities of the 3c-90c denominations in this set range from from 150-178.
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1c-90c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O25S-O34S). Complete set, without gum as issued, nearly all with perfs trimmed on a side by scissors separation, some typical flaws including short or nibbed perfs, 15c soilingFINE APPEARING COMPLETE SET OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
The sold quantities of the 3c-90c denominations in this set range from from 150-178.
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1c Purple, Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O25S). Block of 18 in 6 x 3 format, without gum as issued, brilliant color, nicely centered almost throughout, a few minor perf separations at top, Very Fine and attractive multiple, Scott value as blocks of four and singles
1c-90c Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (O35S-O45S). Complete set, without gum as issued, brilliant colors and attractive centering, all stamps with full perfs except one side of 30c natural straight edge, a tiny flaw or two may be found but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking from among the choicest examples of each denominationFINE-VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, the Navy Department is very scarce, with sales of the 90c value limiting the possible number of sets to 102. This set is accompanied by an original envelope in which the Special Printings were sold, reading "United States Official Postage Stamps. 1873. Proof Specimens. Navy Department."
1c-90c Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (O35S-O45S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, most sides with full perfs, just a few sides affected by scissors separation, some small flaws to be found but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faultsFINE AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, the Navy Department is very scarce, with sales of the 90c value limiting the possible number of sets to 102.
1c-90c Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (O35S-O45S). Complete set, without gum as issued, a handful of sides affected by scissors separation and some flaws including 12c small stain and 30c thin and creases, overall Fne appearance, other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, the Navy Department is very scarce, with sales of the 90c value limiting the possible number of sets to 102
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1c Ultramarine, Navy, "Sepcimen" Error (O35Sa). Without gum as issued, three wide wide margins, small thin spot at upper right, appears Very Fine
1c Gray Blue, Navy, Soft Porous Paper, Specimen Ovpt. (O35xS). Balance of seven multiples, without gum as issued, including a corner selvage block of nine, five blocks of four and a pair, rich colors, generally Fine centering, a few small flaws as typical and bottom row of the large block faint toning, Fine or appear so
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2c Navy, "Sepcimen" Error (O36Sa). Without gum as issued, bright color, reperfed at left and bottom, otherwise Fine and rare, although the sold quantity of the 2c Navy Special Printing would suggest a fair number of "Sepcimen" errors were sold (1,748 stamps, or 18 sheets), the truth is this error is rare and most of the copies available to collectors have faults to varying degrees (two additional copies are in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library), with 1971 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine, Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (O37S). Without gum as issued, wide margins and essentially perfect centering, some slight soiling or this would easily rank as the finest example we have encountered, Extremely Fine appearance
1c-90c Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O47S-O56S). Complete set, without gum as issued, crisp impressions and attractive centering, all stamps with full perfs, 24c with inclusion, a small flaw or two may be found but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking from among the choicest examples of each denominationFINE-VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Most of the values of the Post Office Special Printing above 2c were sold in quantities in the 80s and 90s, with the 30c sold in a quantity of only 81. This gives the Post Office set third-place ranking in rarity among the 1c to 90c complete set Official Special Printings
1c-90c Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O47S-O56S). Complete set, without gum as issued, detailed impressions and attractive centering, nearly all sides with full perfs, a few sides affected by scissors separation, a few small flaws including 30c pulled perf but the stamps in this set were selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faultsFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Most of the values of the Post Office Special Printing above 2c were sold in quantities in the 80s and 90s, with the 30c sold in a quantity of only 81. This gives the Post Office set third-place ranking in rarity among the 1c to 90c complete set Official Special Printings.
1c-90c Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O47S-O56S). Complete set, without gum as issued, most sides with full perfs, a couple sides affected by scissors separation and a few small flaws to be encountered including 10c small scuff, Fine-Very Fine appearance, most of the values of the Post Office Special Printing above 2c were sold in quantities in the 80's and 90's, with the 30c sold in a quantity of only 81, this gives the Post Office set third-place ranking in rarity among the 1c to 90c complete set Official Special Printings.
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1c Black, Post Office, "Sepcimen" Error (O47Sa). Without gum as issued, scissors-trimmed at left, small corner crease at bottom left, otherwise Fine
1c Black, Post Office, "Sepcimen" Error and Inverted Ovpt. (O47Sa, O47Sb). One of each error, without gum as issued, first with perfs trimmed at left, light toning, appears Very Good, second with a few short perfs and thin spot, appears Fine
2c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O48S). Irregular block of 11 consisting of a bottom selvage block of eight and strip of three at top, without gum as issued, scissors-trimmed at right into the design, stamps at left with telescoped perfs between and separations, left stamp of the top strip with hinge adherence (could be soaked off), despite those problems the central block of four with bottom selvage is Very Fine and catalogues $3,250.00 by itself, it is destined to be removed and would frankly look much better if it was
3c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O49S). Without gum as issued, wide natural straight edge at right, other sides well-balanced, intense shade, Very Fine and scarce in this nice quality, only 91 sold
6c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O50S). Without gum as issued, intense shade, beautifully balanced margins with just some blunted perfs at left from scissors separation, Very Fine and choice for this scarce stamp, only 87 sold and this is certainly one of the best centered we have encountered
10c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O51S). Without gum as issued, beautiful margins and centering, long and full perforations all around without scissors separation, Extremely Fine for this, only 177 sold
12c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O52S). Without gum as issued, wide margins at top and bottom, scissors-separated at bottom but perfs largely intact, Very Fine, only 93 sold
15c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O53S). Separated vertical pair, without gum as issued, top stamp some light staining on back is barely, if at all visible on front at top, appears Fine, bottom stamp some slightly blunted perfs from scissors-separation, Fine, pairs -- even separated ones -- are extremely rare, only 82 stamps sold, Scott value as singles
30c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O55S). Without gum as issued, wide margins, some scissors-separation at top left but perfs essentially full, intense shade, Very Fine, only 81 sold which is the lowest number of the Post Office Department set, owner's pencil signature on back
90c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O56S). Without gum as issued, wide and nicely balanced margins, intense shadeEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
Only 82 of the 90c Post Office Special Printing were sold, making it the second scarcest denomination of the set.
1c-90c State, Specimen Ovpt. (O57S-O67S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, all with full perfs and a number well-centered, a couple small flaws may be found but this set was compiled from a large group owned by Mooz, picking from among the choicest appearing examples of each denomination, Very Fine set
1c-90c State, Specimen Ovpt. (O57S-O67S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, nearly all sides with full perfs, a couple with scissors-separation affecting some perfs, a few small flaws may be found but this set was selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major flaws, Fine-Very Fine set
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1c-90c State, Specimen Ovpt. (O57S-O67S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, nearly all sides with full perfs, some small flaws but this set was selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major flaws, Fine set
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1c Yellow Green, State, Soft Porous Paper, Specimen Ovpt. (O57xS). American Bank Note Co. printing, block of four, without gum as issued, mixed font with the overprint showing variation in the size of letters, ink spots at bottom mostly on left stamp, reinforced perf separations, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, ex Golden
2c Bluish Green, State, Specimen Ovpt. (O58S). Block of four, without gum as issued, fresh and Fine-Very Fine, ex Diamond
2c Bluish Green, State, "Sepcimen" Error (O58Sa). Without gum as issued, rich color, centered to top, couple small thin spots, appears Fine, a surprisingly scarce error given the 5,145 copies sold of the 2c State, Markovits estimated only 7 to 10 extant (2004 Bennett sale), we believe there are few more than that and there are also two copies in the New York Public Library's Miller collection
1c-90c Treasury, Specimen Ovpt. (O72S-O82S). Complete set, without gum as issued, deep rich colors and choice centering for these difficult stamps, all with full perfs, a tiny flaw or two may be found but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking from among the choicest examples of each denominationVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COMPLETE SET OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING, INDIVIDUALY SELECTED FROM A LARGE GROUP FOR CHOICE APPEARANCE. THE TREASURY SET IS ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OF THE "CENTS" VALUES AMONG THE DEPARTMENTAL SPECIAL PRINTINGS.
Only 72 of the 90c were sold -- the lowest among all the 1c-90c Special Printings, meaning no more than 72 complete Treasury sets can exist. Between 74 to 99 of the other values were sold (excluding the common 1c and the slightly more available 2c and 7c), for a total of 646 stamps. This makes the Treasury Department Special Printing one of the two rarest sets overall of the 1c to 90c issues, along with the Interior Department, which has 635 sold.
This set is accompanied by an original envelope in which the Special Printings were sold, reading "United States Official Postage Stamps. 1873. Proof Specimens. Treasury Department."
1c-90c Treasury, Specimen Ovpt. (O72S-O82S). Complete set, without gum as issued, deep rich colors, a few with decent centering and nearly all sides with full perfs, a few small flaws may be encountered but the stamps in this set were selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faultsOVERALL FINE-VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING -- ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OF THE "CENTS" VALUES AMONG THE DEPARTMENTAL SPECIAL PRINTINGS.
Only 72 of the 90c were sold -- the lowest among all the 1c-90c Special Printings, meaning no more than 72 complete Treasury sets can exist. Between 74 to 99 of the other values were sold (excluding the common 1c and the slightly more available 2c and 7c), for a total of 646 stamps. This makes the Treasury Department Special Printing one of the two rarest sets overall of the 1c to 90c issues, along with the Interior Department, which has 635 sold.
1c-90c Treasury, Specimen Ovpt. (O72S-O82S). Complete set, without gum as issued, deep rich colors, margins generally to in on a side but nearly all sides with full perfs, some flaws to be expected which are mostly minor, overall Fine appearance, the Treasury Department Special Printing is one of the two rarest sets overall of the 1c to 90c issues, along with the Interior Department
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1c-90c War, Specimen Ovpt. (O83S-O93S). Complete set, without gum as issued, deep rich colors and choice centering for these difficult stamps, all with full perfs, the 12c with natural straight edge, a tiny flaw or two may be found but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking from among the choicest examples of each denominationVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COMPLETE SET OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING, INDIVIDUALY SELECTED FROM A LARGE GROUP FOR CHOICE APPEARANCE.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, between 104 and 119 copies of the War Department Special Printings were sold (the 30c has the smallest sale quantity with 104).
1c-90c War, Specimen Ovpt. (O83S-O93S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, several with good centering, 6c with wide natural straight edge and all others with full perfs, a few small flaws to be found but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faultsOVERALL FINE-VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, between 104 and 119 copies of the War Department Special Printings were sold (the 30c has the smallest sale quantity with 104).
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1c Deep Rose, War, Specimen Ovpt. (O83S). Horizontal block of 21, without gum as issued, rich color, stain affecting pos. 12-13, couple short perfs at top of pos. 7, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
1c Deep Rose, War, "Sepcimen" Error (O83Sa). Without gum as issued, rich color, filled thin spot, small inclusion in "1" at bottom, otherwise Fine
2c Deep Rose, War, Specimen Ovpt. (O84S). Two blocks of four hinged together to form a block of eight, somewhat imprecisely done but we believe the blocks originate together, without gum as issued, rich color and both blocks well-centered, few other perf separations, Very Fine, Scott value as two blocks of four