Sale 1376 — The Monterey Collection of Superb United States 19th and 20th Century Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 22 April, 2026
Category — Bluish Paper (Scott 358-366)
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., precisely centered with perfectly proportioned margins all around, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only five grade higher
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense color and proof-like impression on deeply blued paper, exceptional centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES IN EXISTENCE — GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Odeneal. With 1996 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only one example grades higher (at 98) and only three share this lofty grade.
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Wide top imprint and plate no. 4918 block of six, original gum, four stamps Mint N.H., positions 5-6 lightly hinged,, rich color on deeply blued paper, very choice centering for this rare plate block, few vertical perf separations in top of selvage only reinforced with small hinge
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE WIDE TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER WITH FOUR MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS. VERY FEW PLATE BLOCKS ARE KNOWN AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST.
There are seven recorded 3c Bluish Paper plate blocks of six, including one in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum (4918 Right). Of the six in private hands, five are top positions and one is a left position. In addition to the plate blocks, there is one pane in private hands (4925 UR) and one in the “Postmaster General’s Collection” at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum (4927 UR). Among the wide top position plate blocks, this is easily the best centered example we have offered. The ex-Hall top plate block with narrow selvage is also well-centered, as is the left plate block.
With 1977 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, beautiful rich color and sharp proof-like impression on deeply blued paper, spectacular wide margins all around
EXTREMELY FINE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER — AN EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. THIS EXAMPLE IS GRADED xf 90 BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND SHARED BY NO OTHERS.
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).
Of the many examples of this major 20th Century rarity we have offered, only a small number have centering that can be compared to this stamp. In our sale of the Pivawer collection (Sale 1348, lot 182), we offered a superb example graded XF 90 by the P.F — one of three at that grade by the P.F.
Ex Odeneal. With 2001 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). This is the the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. and it is shared by no others.
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Mint N.H., rich color on deeply blued paper, outstanding centering with beautifully balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER IN EXISTENCE AND IS GRADED XF 90 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. AN OUTSTANDING STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
The 5c is the scarcest of the regularly issued Bluish paper stamps. We have only been able to locate only a few examples comparable to the stamp offered here, including the Gem stamps offered in the Zoellner, Floyd and Curtis collections.
Small purple backstamp, With 2001 P.S.E. certificate. With 1980 (photocopy for a block), 1983, 2002 and 2006 P.F. certificates (latter XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and it is shared by no others. By way of comparison, XF 90 is also the highest grade in the P.S.E. Population Report (one example, last offered in Sale 1251, lot 1316, realized $25,000 hammer).
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at left, lightly hinged in selvage only, intense shade on deeply blued paper, unusually choice centering for this challenging issue, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1985, 1996 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Only two Mint N.H. stamps grade higher (both at 98) and one other shares this grade. SCV $3,000.
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with unusually wide and balanced margins, intense color on deeply blued paper, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS FANTASTIC STAMP MAY BE THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 8-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER IN EXISTENCE. THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED BY P.S.E., AND HAS ONLY BEEN BESTOWED ON THIS ONE STAMP. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE Monterey COLLECTION AND CERTAINLY ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF 20TH CENTURY UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
The June 1910 Third Assistant Postmaster General’s report states that 4,000 (ten sheets) of the 8c 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 Odeneal. With 1969, 1984 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 363 and it is shared by no others. The next highest is XF 90 (two examples). SCV $30,000.
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Right imprint and plate no. 4944 block of six, original gum, pos. 4 Mint N.H., top pair disturbed gum from hinge removal, brilliant color, a few lightly gum-soaked perfs between top pair
FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 1909 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ISSUE PLATE BLOCKS WITH ONLY FIVE RECORDED, INCLUDING ONE IN THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM.
We record five different 10c Bluish Paper plate blocks, including one bottom position in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum collection (4943), three bottom (4940, 4943 and 4944) and the 4944 right position offered here. In addition to the plate blocks, a pane of 100 (4944 UR) was reported by Boggs to be in the Post Office Department files.
From our 1982 Rarities sale. With 2007 P.F. certificate.
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., brilliant color on nicely blued paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT BLUISH PAPER, GRADED XF 90 BY P.S.E.
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate as block of four and 2006 P.S.E. certificate as this single (XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others. SCV $3,000.
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Right imprint and plate no. 4952 block of six with wide selvage, original gum, bottom block Mint N.H., top pair lightly hinged, outstanding centering throughout, natural inclusion in top left stamp visible only from back
EXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENAL WIDE SELVAGE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 15-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER, WITH CHOICE CENTERING AND FOUR MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.
While plate blocks of the 15c are more available than some of the other denominations, they are often found with only Fine centering. The plate block offered here is a condition rarity.
From our 1981 and 1988 Rarities sales. With 1981 and 2007 P.F. certificates.