Sale 1348 — The Philip Pivawer Collection of U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 March, 2025
Category — 1909 Bluish Paper
1c Green, Bluish (357). Mint N.H., choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
2c Carmine, Bluish (358). Mint N.H., well-centered with balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
3c Deep Violet, Bluish (359). Original gum, lightly hinged, dark color on deeply blued paper, excellent centering
EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1984 P.F. certificate.
4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Choice centering with balanced margins, deep rich color on strong Bluish Paper, hinge removal mark, exceptionally fresh
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 4-CENT 1909 BLUISH PAPER ISSUE, WITH A GRADE OF XF 90 FROM THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
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 Odeneal collection (Sale 941, lot 1249), we offered a superb example graded XF 90 by P.S.E., which realized $82,500 hammer. That was the first and only 4c Bluish Paper to be certified XF 90 by P.S.E. (one other has been graded VF-XF 85). The Philatelic Foundation records list three graded XF 90, including the stamp offered here.
Ex Schwartz. With 1969 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
5c Blue, Bluish (361). Original gum, appears Mint N.H. at a glance but has the barest traces of a previous hinge, deep rich color on nicely blued paper, beautifully centered with well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. A STAMP OF REMARKABLE BEAUTY.
The 5c is the rarest of the regularly issued Bluish Paper set, and it is usually found off-center. This centered example is extraordinarily fresh with only a trace of a hinge.
Ex "North Fork" and Gorham. With 2000, 2005 and 2012 P.F. certificates (latter XF 90 XQ). The "XQ" stands for "Extraordinary Quality".
6c Red Orange, Bluish (362). Original gum, rich color and characteristic intense watermark, reperfed at right (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), appears Extremely Fine, small backstamp, with clear 1991 P.F. certificate
8c Olive Green, Bluish (363). Original gum, barely hinged, intense shade on deeply blued paper, wide margins and exceptional centering which is far better than normally seen, bright and fresh in every respect
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT WASHINGTON ON BLUISH PAPER, GRADED XF 90XQ BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
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).
The centering and margins on this stamp would be almost impossible to improve upon. We have offered the only P.S.E. graded 95 (ex Odeneal, Sale 941, lot 1252) and one of the two P.S.E. graded 90s (2017 Rarities, Sale 1159, lot 231). In our opinion, this gem equals or exceeds both of those examples in terms of centering, and also has wider margins than either.
Ex Field. With 1992, 2008 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ). The "XQ" is added by the P.F. for particularly choice examples at the highest grades and stands for "Extraordinary Quality". This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. to a Scott 363 (two are graded 90 without the "XQ"). By comparison, P.S.E. has graded one at 95 and two at 90.
10c Yellow, Bluish (364). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color, beautifully balanced and well-proportioned margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
With 1996 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on deeply blued paper, choice centering with well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE. A LOVELY ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 13-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER.
Ex Minervino. With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90). SCV $2,600.
15c Pale Ultramarine, Bluish (366). Mint N.H., brilliant color on deeply blued paper, Extremely Fine, ex Odeneal, with 1984 (for a block, bottom left stamp) and 2008 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85), a 2007 P.S.E. certificate described this as reperfed at left (no longer accompanies), but a newer P.F. certificate states sound
15c Pale Ultramarine (382). Mint N.H., pretty pastel color, well-centered, Very Fine, light pencil notation on gum not mentioned on certificates, with copy of 2001 P.F. certificate for a pair, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate as this single (VF 80), SCV $500