Sale 1289 — 2023 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2023
Category — Washington-Franklin and Other Issues, including Upright Jenny
10c Yellow, Coil (356). Guide line pair, original gum, h.r., vibrant colorFINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM GUIDE LINE PAIR OF THE 10-CENT HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 356.
According to Johl (Volume 1, page 181), only 10,000 of the 10c Washington coil stamp were issued. They were made especially for a New York firm to send out advertising samples, similar to the 3c Orangeburg coil. Only a few rolls were sold to the firm, and the remaining rolls were distributed to some of the large post offices across the country. Dealers acquired several rolls, but because most contemporary collectors did not collect coils, many were used and destroyed.
With 1970 and 1988 P.F. certificates.
5c Blue, Bluish (361). With left selvage, original gum, rich color on nicely blued paper, few minor perf separations not noted on certificateVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Blue backstamp and pencil notation on back. With 2016 P.F. certificate.
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and wide margins, small natural coal speck inclusion at lower left as often seen on the Bluish Paper stampsVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BLUISH PAPER.
The 5c is the rarest of the regularly-issued Bluish Paper stamps. The 4c and 8c were not issued thru post offices.
Ex Hewitt. Signed E. Stern. With 1982 P.F. certificate
2c Alaska-Yukon, "Southgate" Large Die Proof on Wove (370P1). 76 x 91mm, with blue Bureau control no. 361802 at bottom, deep color on fresh paper, faint horizontal crease at bottom well away from the die and control numberVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE "SOUTHGATE" LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 1909 ALASKA-YUKON ISSUE, PRODUCED DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.
According to research by essay-proof authority James E. Lee and an article by Clarence Brazer in the Essay-Proof Journal, three sets of full-size unmounted die proofs on wove paper were produced in the 1930s by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) -- covering issues from the 1898 Trans-Mississippi through the 1934 Mother's Day. One set, with proving room numbers on the face, remained full size and became part of the Hugh M. Southgate collection (thought to be part of a trade with the BEP) and then the Caroline Prentiss Cromwell collection. This proof comes from that set. The other two sets were trimmed to small die proof size.
Ex Southgate and Prentiss Cromwell. Scott value as normal large die proof.
3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (389). Paste-up at left, deep rich color, tied by Orangeburg N.Y. wavy-line machine cancel on piece of cover, centered to bottomFINE AND SOUND. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED PASTE-UP EXAMPLES OF THE 1911 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL.
The paste-up process was necessary to produce rolls of coils from half-sheets of 20 stamps wide. Only one of every ten coil pairs was a paste-up. This single is one of four recorded 3c Orangeburg paste-ups, including the unused pair.
Ex "Lake Shore". With 1945 and 1998 A.P.S. certificates. With 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott value as used without regard to the paste-up or piece.
3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (389). Rich color, wavy-line machine cancel, small sealed tear at rightFINE APPEARING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL.
With 1954 clear A.P.S. certificate.
3c Deep Violet, Orangeburg Coil (389). Deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issue, tied by "Orangeburg N.Y. Sep. 19 5PM 1911" machine cancel on cover to Columbus O., usual "Bell & Company Incorporated Manufacturing Chemists" corner card, stamp with light diagonal crease at topVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL ON A FRESH COVER. ONLY 13 ORANGEBURG COIL COVERS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911, specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps' use on third-class mail, and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production accounts for their rarity.
Accompanied by a nearly identical cover franked with the 3c Perf 8.5 coil, Scott 394 (dated Oct. 14, 1912). Ex Klein. With 2006 P.F. certificate.
View PDF of contents of this lot
1c Green, Panama-Pacific (397). Excellent centering, tied by "San Francisco, Cal. Jan. 1 7-PM 1913" Exposition First Day machine cancel on beautiful multicolored postcard depicting "229 - Looking East Over Fine Arts Basin, Panama Pacific International Exposition San Francisco 1915" to Appleton, Wis., contents describing the opening day of the fair, card with minor edge flaws at top not affecting stamp or markingsVERY FINE. A HIGHLY DESIRABLE AND RARE FIRST DAY USE OF THE ONE-CENT PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION ISSUE. ONLY TWELVE ARE KNOWN.
Of the twelve known First Days, six are on cards and six are on covers.
With 1986 A.P.S. certificate. Scott $8,000.00.
10c Orange, Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Wide top plate no. 6135 block of six, original gum, top center stamp lightly hinged, other five stamps Mint N.H., top left stamp natural gum skips, vibrant color, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE WIDE TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT PERF 10 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE.
Many plate block collectors actively search for top positions, considering this format to be the most desirable. In the case of the 10c Perf 10 Panama-Pacific Issue, it also seems to be the scarcest. We have offered only three other top position plate blocks since 2013. The centering on the example offered here is truly outstanding, adding to its overall appeal.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate.
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Mint N.H. joint line pair, vivid color, bottom stamp with pencil notation at bottomFINE AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE 1915 2-CENT TYPE I VERTICAL COIL.
The 2c Type I rotary plate was used very briefly to make vertical coils issued in late 1915. It was briefly used because the Type I plate was not very deeply engraved and the curvature of the rotary press yielded impressions lacking in some of the details. The Bureau noticed this immediately, and quickly replaced it with the Type III plate (according to Scott, the EDU for No. 449 is Oct. 29, 1915, and the EDU for Type III is Dec. 10, 1915).
Ex Max Simon (Sale 292). With 1963, 2005 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (VG 50).
10c Orange Yellow, Coil (497). Tied by "Washington D.C. Jan 31 8 PM 1922" First Day of Issue duplex on 2c on 3c Dark Violet entire (U468) to Wm. Siebold in Washington, D.C., serviced by Hammelman, Jan. 31 Special Delivery backstampVERY FINE AND RARE FIRST DAY USE OF THE 10-CENT FRANKLIN COIL ISSUE, SCOTT 497. VERY FEW WERE PRODUCED.
This was the last Washington-Franklin stamp introduced (except for the sheet waste experiment, Scott 544) before the start of the 1922 Issue. Hammelman is the only known source of the First Day covers for this issue.
With 1977 P.F. certificate. Scott $6,000.00.
2c Rose, Ty. I, Perf 10 x 11 (499D). Choice centering and margins, bright color, tied by wavy-line machine cancel with part of Elizabeth N.J. Jun. 3, 1917 circular datestamp at left on piece of cover, pencil note on the back "J. M. Bartels. The only used copy"VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE I 1917 ISSUE WITH COMPOUND PERFORATIONS -- PERF 10 HORIZONTALLY BY PERF 11 VERTICALLY -- WHICH WILL BECOME SCOTT 499D IN THE 2024 SCOTT CATALOGUE. AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE A NEWLY LISTED MAJOR SCOTT NUMBER, OF WHICH JUST ONE EXAMPLE IS KNOWN -- RARER THAN THE ONE-CENT AND 15-CENT Z GRILL STAMPS, BUT JUST STARTING ON ITS TRAJECTORY IN DEMAND AND VALUE.
The history and significance of this stamp are documented for the first time in this Rarities of the World sale catalogue. When the gavel falls, the successful bidder will be the first to have their name identified with Scott 499D, a new major listing in the forthcoming 2024 Scott Catalogue. This listing is confirmed in writing by the Scott editor-in-chief, Jay Bigalke (his statement accompanies). Accordingly, the 2023 Philatelic Foundation certificate (594886) identifies this stamp as Scott 499D.
The signed notation on back was made by J. Murray Bartels, a German-born stamp dealer in the United States who died in 1944. Therefore, this piece must have reached philatelic hands sometime between 1917 and 1944. However, the existence of a 2c compound perforation 10 x 11 stamp was not noted in Johl's 1937 book on 20th century stamps, nor in Armstrong's 1979 book on the Washington-Franklin series. When the first Philatelic Foundation certificate was issued (#150031, October 2, 1985), the stamp was identified as Scott “499var.” At this time, the compound perforation stamps were listed as minor varieties of their respective issues. This changed in 2003 when the Scott Catalogue elevated the Perf 10 x 12 and 12 x 10 compound perforation stamps to major Scott numbers -- 423A through 423E -- but the 2c Perf 10 x 11 from the later issue on unwatermarked paper was overlooked. When this stamp was consigned months ago, we recognized the significance of the 10 x 11 compound perforation. After certification by The Philatelic Foundation and confirmation from the Scott editor-in-chief that it will be listed as Scott 499D, we are now able to offer a new major-listing stamp.
This stamp is a hybrid of the 1916 and 1917 issues. The basic 2c Type I design was printed on unwatermarked paper and perforated with 10-gauge perforations in September 1916. If this stamp had 10-gauge perforations all around, it would be Scott 463. The changeover to 11-gauge perforations occurred prior to March 1917. The 2c Type I on unwatermarked paper with 11-gauge perforations all around is Scott 499. This stamp proves that at least one 2c Type I sheet was perforated on the 10-gauge machine in one direction -- from side to side, creating Perf 10 horizontal rows -- then the sheet was finished on the 11-gauge perforating machine in the other direction -- from top to bottom, creating Perf 11 vertical rows. The postmark date is more complete in the photograph on the earlier certificate, before someone trimmed down the piece, and it is dated June 3, 1917, at Elizabeth, New Jersey. That fits with the use of the 11-gauge perforating machine for sheets released in March 1917.
How many 2c Type I Perf 10 x 11 stamps exist? That question is very difficult to answer. If Bartels was aware of its significance and collectors such as George Ewing had examples of compound perforations in their collections before World War II, then philatelists should have been on the alert for Perf 10 x 11 stamps of any 1916 Issue denomination. The fact that only this one stamp is recorded in the P.F. records and we have not seen another Perf 10 x 11 stamp indicates that it is extremely rare. The odds of finding another Scott 499D are very small, but not impossible. It is also possible another denomination will be found with 10 x 11 compound perforations.
As for value, the keys to completing a United States stamp collection are well-known: the 1c Z Grill, Scott 85A (two known, one available), the 15c Z Grill, Scott 85F (two known), the 24c Continental, Scott 164 (one known) and the 2c Compound Perf 10 x 12, Scott 423E (one known). Now we can add Scott 499D to the list. We think our estimate is conservative and leave it to the bidders to establish Scott 499D's market value in its first offering. It will be fun to watch the bidders play "keepaway."
Signed Bartels. With 1985 and 2023 Philatelic Foundation certificates. To be listed in the 2024 Scott Catalogue and accompanied by a written statement from Jay Bigalke, the editor-in-chief, confirming that fact.
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (544). Bright color, neat wavy-line machine cancel, fresh and soundFINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT ROTARY PERF 11, SCOTT 544.
With 1958 and 2021 P.F. certificates
1c Green, Rotary, Perf 11 (594). New York double-oval cancel, rich colorFINE. A SCARCE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT ROTARY PERF 11 ISSUE, SCOTT 594. ONE OF THE RAREST 20TH CENTURY STAMPS.
The 1c Green, Scott 594, is waste from a horizontal rotary printing used to make coils. At the beginning or end of a coil-stamp print run from the 170-subject rotary plates, some leading or trailing paper was produced that was too short for rolling into 500-stamp rolls. In 1919 the Bureau devised a plan to salvage this waste by perforating and cutting the sheets into panes. They were put through the 11-gauge flat-plate perforator in use at the time, giving the sheets full perforations on all sides. The existence of Scott 594 was not reported until four months after the final sheets were delivered, and the 1c Rotary Perf 11 was soon recognized as one of the rarest United States stamps.
Our census of Scott 594, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/594 , contains 100 used singles, 6 stamps in 3 used pairs, and 6 stamps on 5 covers (one with a pair) for a total of 112 used stamps. Another 19 unused stamps are recorded. Many have perforations cutting in on one or more sides, or have faults.
Census no. 594-CAN-22. With 1981 P.F., 2008 P.S.E. and 2016 P.F. certificates.
$1.00 Violet Black (571). Deep color, tied by "Washington, D.C. Feb. 12 10-AM 1923" First Day of Issue slogan cancel on cover with typewritten address of Home Stamp Co. in Boston, cover is uncommonly freshVERY FINE AND CHOICE FIRST DAY COVER WITH THE $1.00 1923 ISSUE USED FROM WASHINGTON D.C.
The dollar-value 1922 Issues are exceedingly rare on First Day covers. Scott value $7,000.00.
$2.00 Deep Blue (572). Intense color, tied by "Washington D.C. Mar 20 12 - M 1923" First Day of Issue slogan cancel on Worden addressed cover, just barely reduced at left where it was opened, remarkably freshVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONLY TWELVE FIRST DAY COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THE $2.00 1923 ISSUE.
This cover is noteworthy not only for its stellar quality, but also its small size. The other two we have offered during the last 30+ years have been legal-size.
Scott value $17,500.00
1c-5c Huguenot-Walloon, Large Die Proofs on India (614P1-616P1). On approximately 203 x 154 mm cards with full die sinkage, each signed by Postmaster General Harry S. New, with printed "Approved April 14 1924", blue control numbers on back, bright colors, for strict accuracy we will note 1c card with tiny bend at right, 2c India paper with slight wrinkling, and 5c card with slight toning at far top (and cut slightly irregularly), these imperfections are unimportant considering how infrequently full-size large die proofs of this set are offeredVERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE HUGUENOT-WALLOON ISSUE LARGE DIE PROOFS, SIGNED BY POSTMASTER GENERAL HARRY S. NEW.
Scott value as unsigned proofs.
3c Alaska Territory, Mt. McKinley, Small Die Trial Color Proof in Black on Bond Paper, Small Die Proof in Violet on Wove Paper (800TC2c, 800P2). One of each, the Black trial color proof with large margins, a few trivial adherences on back, believed to be the only example in private hands; the Violet small die proof with large margins, brilliant color, no more than three are recorded; both Very Fine, an outstanding pair of die proofs of the 1937 Alaska Territorial commemorative issue
13c Captain Cook, Se-Tenant Pair, Imperforate Between (1733c). Mint N.H., identical centering to all known examplesVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MODERN ERROR - DATZ STATES FEWER THAN FIVE RECORDED.
From the Ralph Swap specialized collection of Captain Cook.
$2.00 Red & Blue, Non-Inverted Jenny Error Sheet (4806d). Intact pane of six self-adhesive stamps with souvenir sheet design in margin, choice centering, back of pane indicates plate position (this is the bottom left of the six positions), accompanied by congratulatory sheet and envelope, also accompanied by certificate signed by Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe noting this is discovery pane No. 4 of 100 possible panes (certificate with bend)EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE NON-INVERTED JENNY SHEET. ONLY 100 WERE DISTRIBUTED TO RANDOM POST OFFICES AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND FEWER THAN 40 HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE POSTAL SERVICE. A PHENOMENAL MODERN RARITY.
According to the U.S. Postal Service's website (http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2013/pb22371/html/info_003.htm ) and other sources, the $2.00 Inverted Jenny souvenir sheet went on sale nationwide September 22, 2013, and a ceremony was held on that day at the National Postal Museum. The souvenir sheet was printed using the intaglio printing process and plates made from the original dies used to produce the 1918 24c Air Post stamp (Scott C3). The denomination was changed to make it easily distinguishable from the original. The souvenir sheet background depicts the original airmail route, the National Postal Museum, and aviation pioneer Reuben H. Fleet.
A special automatic distribution was done to all post offices. Pre-orders and re-orders through stamp distribution offices or centers were not allowed once original automatic distribution quantities were sold. A total of 13,200,600 stamps were printed, which translates into 2,200,100 souvenir sheets of six. They were printed six souvenir sheets at a time, and their position on the plate is noted on back of each. The sheets were sold individually wrapped in cellophane, which collectors questioned at the time of issue.
The reason for the odd quantity and cellophane wrapping was revealed shortly after the release of the souvenir sheets, when an upright example was discovered by a collector in Ontario, Canada. The USPS then revealed that 100 had been created and randomly seeded throughout their distribution system. The cellophane wrappers were used to prevent searching through stocks for the upright designs -- souvenir sheets with opened cellophane were not returnable.
With 2014 A.P.S. certificate.