Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — 1913-20 Washington-Franklin Issues (Scott 424-550)
50c Violet (440). Original gum, almost perfect centering with wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
4c Brown, Coil (446). Beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, detailed impression, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only four grade higher (highest is 98)
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Vivid color, outstanding centering and margins, neat machine cancel, fresh, Extremely Fine Gem example of this scarce 1915 Type I rotary press coil, with 1992 and 2022 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
1c Green, Coil (452). Pair, perfect centering, bright shade, neat "Buy U.S. Savings Bonds" slogan machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb used pair, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), this is one of only five pairs to achieve this grade with one higher (at 95J)
2c Red, Ty. II, Coil (454). Mint N.H. pair, vivid color, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Merlin and Przybyl, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
3c Violet, Coil (456). Pair, radiant color and crisp impression, unobtrusive cancel, wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM USED PAIR OF THE 1916 3-CENT COIL, SCOTT 456, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Bowman. With 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher and only two others share this grade
$1.00 Violet Black (460). Original gum, well-centered but reperfed at right, one perf at top right slight gum soak, appears Very Fine
5c Carmine, Error (467). Centered to right, tied by "Lowell Mass. May 25, 1917" machine cancel on buff cover to Canaan N.H., cover with edge tears and a small corner repair at top right but the stamp is sound
FINE AND RARE on-cover use OF THE 5-CENT CARMIINE ERROR, perf 10, which served AS PAYMENT OF THE 2-CENT RATE.
The plate with the 5c transfer errors and the sheets produced from it passed unnoticed during production and inspection. The 5c error stamps were issued to the public in early 1917. A small quantity of sheets were perforated 10 (Scott 467), followed by a larger quantity with the new 11-guage perforations (Scott 505)—these sheets were sold at post offices. On May 2, 1917, the Third Assistant Postmaster General sent out a printed notice informing postmasters of the error and recalling the "mis-printed" sheets. This cover is a May 25, 1917, date, shortly after the recall.
In the updated census compiled by Kevin Lowther and published in the United States Specialist in 2012 (issue 993), 18 covers or large pieces are recorded bearing the 5c Carmine error, Perf 10 (Scott 467). This cover was at one time the earliest known use of Scott 467. A cover mailed three days earlier is now certified by the P.F. but the stamp on that cover is defective. This cover appears to be a non-philatelic use of the stamp.
With 2017 P.F. certificate.
5c Carmine, 5c Rose, Errors, Exhibit (467, 505). Mounted exhibit with numerous items telling the story of the famous 1917 5c error, this is essentially intact with only a few of the rarest items removed, many examples of the two perforated errors are present (see below for a list), as well as extensive other material from Plate 7942 (see our website PDF for a complete scan), nice condition with fresh stamps, the errors are generally Fine with some Very Fine
A FASCINATING EXHIBIT TELLING THE STORY OF THE 1917 5-CENT ERRORS.
The examples of the 5c perforated errors included in this exhibit are as follows:
Scott 467 -- Mint N.H. single error in a hinged block of nine; Mint N.H. double error in a pane of 100; Mint N.H. single error in a pane of 100.
Scott 505 -- Mint N.H. double error in a hinged block of twelve (gum skips); hinged double error in a block of twelve (gum loss on some 2c stamps); Mint N.H. single error in a hinged block of nine; Mint N.H. double error in a pane of 100; Mint N.H. single error in a pane of 100; used single error in pair with 2c; barely hinged single error.
Scott value just for the error stamps without counting any of the other material exceeds $12,000.
20c Light Ultramarine (476). Mint N.H., bright and fresh color, near perfect centering with wide and balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 20-CENT UNWATERMARKED PERF 10 FRANKLIN ISSUE, SCOTT 476.
Ex Wingate. With 1992 P.F. and 2018 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). One of nine at this desirable grade with only one higher (at 98J)
30c Orange Red, Perf 10 (476A). Original gum, natural straight edges at top and left, small closed tear at left, otherwise Very Fine example of this scarce issue, two complete panes of 100 of Scott 476A have been certified by The Philatelic Foundation and subsequently broken into singles, blocks and four plate blocks
$5.00 Light Green (480). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2021 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
5c Carmine, Imperforate, Error (485). Mint N.H. single error in block of nine, brilliant color on fresh paper
EXTREMELY FINE gem MINT NEVER-HINGED ERROR OF THE 1917 5-CENT CARMINE IMPERFORATE ERROR IN A block of nine.
During the course of production of the normal 2c plate--Plate 7942--three subjects were noted to be weakly transferred: Positions 74 and 84 in the upper left quadrant, and Position 18 in the lower right. The plate was sent back to the siderographer, who burnished out the three entries and re-entered them. Instead of the 2c transfer roll, he mistakenly used the 5c transfer roll for the 2c plate. The sheets were printed in the normal 2c Red color, but three stamps in each sheet of 400 were 5c stamps, which were normally printed in blue--that is how the 5c Red errors came to be.
The misentered plate and the sheets produced from it passed unnoticed, and the 5c error stamps were issued to the public. The largest number of sheets to reach collectors were perforated 11 (Scott 505). A smaller number were perforated 10 (Scott 467). The rarest of the errors are the imperforate stamps (Scott 485). On May 2, 1917, the Third Assistant Postmaster General sent out a printed notice informing postmasters of the error and recalling the "mis-printed" sheets, but by then the red cats were out of the bag.
The largest group of sheets discovered at one time were all imperforate, but they never made it to collectors. 755 imperforate sheets of 400 stamps (2,265 errors) were on their way to a company for private perforating when they were found in the Chicago post office and returned to Washington, D.C., for destruction. Three of the Chicago sheets were kept for the National Philatelic Collection.
Philip H. Ward, Jr. later reported that he bought two sheets from John Klemann, a New York dealer, who said he acquired them from Joseph Leavy, curator of the national collection, but Klemann may have been lying about his source, since he was involved in the purchase and sale of the New York find of imperforate sheets--48 sheets of 400, also intended for private perforating. The hoard was found in a New York post office and bought in two stages (25 and 23) by Edgar Nelton, a stamp dealer. He and a partner named George Tuttle sought financing from Klemann and accepted becoming one-quarter partners (whether it was one-quarter each or together is unclear). Sometime later, Klemann reported to his partners that he sold most of the sheets to Col. Edward H. R. Green. Years later, Nelton's account reflected his bitterness over what he considered to be a poor financial outcome from the discovery and Klemann's role in the sale. It does not take much imagination to see that Klemann told his partners one thing and did another, taking more than his share by underreporting profits.
An excellent series of articles on the 5c error by Kevin Lowther was published in 2012 in the U.S. Specialist and is available online to members. We recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about this fascinating episode of philatelic history.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo). SMQ does not price this in a block of nine, but as an imperforate issue this is directly comparable to the SMQ value for a single at 100J, which is $40,000.
5c Carmine, Imperforate, Error (485). Positions UL 74/84 Plate 7942, double error in a block of 36 with left sheet margin and full arrow, the errors are Mint N.H., one stamp in the surrounding block of 12 lightly hinged, very fresh
EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED DOUBLE error of THE 1917 5-CENT CARMINE IMPERFORATE ERROR IN A LARGE position MULTIPLE.
During the course of production of the normal 2c plate--Plate 7942--three subjects were noted to be weakly transferred: Positions 74 and 84 in the upper left quadrant, and Position 18 in the lower right. The plate was sent back to the siderographer, who burnished out the three entries and re-entered them. Instead of the 2c transfer roll, he mistakenly used the 5c transfer roll for the 2c plate. The sheets were printed in the normal 2c Red color, but three stamps in each sheet of 400 were 5c stamps, which were normally printed in blue--that is how the 5c Red errors came to be.
The misentered plate and the sheets produced from it passed unnoticed, and the 5c error stamps were issued to the public. The largest number of sheets to reach collectors were perforated 11 (Scott 505). A smaller number were perforated 10 (Scott 467). The rarest of the errors are the imperforate stamps (Scott 485). On May 2, 1917, the Third Assistant Postmaster General sent out a printed notice informing postmasters of the error and recalling the "mis-printed" sheets, but by then the red cats were out of the bag.
The largest group of sheets discovered at one time were all imperforate, but they never made it to collectors. 755 imperforate sheets of 400 stamps (2,265 errors) were on their way to a company for private perforating when they were found in the Chicago post office and returned to Washington, D.C., for destruction. Three of the Chicago sheets were kept for the National Philatelic Collection.
Philip H. Ward, Jr. later reported that he bought two sheets from John Klemann, a New York dealer, who said he acquired them from Joseph Leavy, curator of the national collection, but Klemann may have been lying about his source, since he was involved in the purchase and sale of the New York find of imperforate sheets--48 sheets of 400, also intended for private perforating. The hoard was found in a New York post office and bought in two stages (25 and 23) by Edgar Nelton, a stamp dealer. He and a partner named George Tuttle sought financing from Klemann and accepted becoming one-quarter partners (whether it was one-quarter each or together is unclear). Sometime later, Klemann reported to his partners that he sold most of the sheets to Col. Edward H. R. Green. Years later, Nelton's account reflected his bitterness over what he considered to be a poor financial outcome from the discovery and Klemann's role in the sale. It does not take much imagination to see that Klemann told his partners one thing and did another, taking more than his share by underreporting profits.
An excellent series of articles on the 5c error by Kevin Lowther was published in 2012 in the U.S. Specialist and is available online to members. We recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about this fascinating episode of philatelic history--and we recommend this block as an impressive example of the double error in a large multiple.
Ex Gross. With 1991 P.F. certificate. Scott value as two Mint N.H. errors without premium for the 2c stamps or position multiple.
2c Carmine, Ty. III, Coil (488). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with wide margins, bright and fresh color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other (which is ex Depew and Myerson)
10c Orange Yellow, Coil (497). Pair, precise centering, vivid color, "Indianapolis Ind." double-oval cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
1c Green, A.E.F. Booklet Pane (498f). Mint N.H., Position W6 with right tab and guide lines at left and bottom, deep rich color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine Mint N.H. pane
2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia (500). Block of four, bright colors, Atlanta Ga. oval cancels, Fine-Very Fine and rare, a review of Power Search shows only two other used blocks of four
5c Rose, Error (505). Mint N.H. single error in a horizontal strip of three, bright color, Very Fine
5c Rose, Error (505). Single error in a block of six, each stamp with "MP Co." perfin for Moline Plow Co., Moline Ill., top right and bottom left 2c stamps with small surface scrapes, the error is sound and Very Fine, a very unusual item
5c Rose, Error (505). Centered to top, tied to small piece by "Washington D.C. Jul. 20 7 PM" duplex datestamp, Fine
WITHDRAWN
$5.00 Deep Green & Black (524). Lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. Va (528). Mint N.H. with wide top selvage showing double plate no. 12142, one in normal position and the second at far top and about half complete, Fine and interesting variety caused by miscutting, illustrated and discussed in the U.S. Specialist (Jan. 1986, p. 9)
3c Violet, Ty. III (529). Mint N.H., plate no. 8627 at top, rich color on crisp paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo)
2c Carmine, Ty. V, Imperforate (533). Huge margins all around including small parts of adjoining stamps on each side, bold "Benton Harbor Mich. Mar. 9 5:30PM" duplex datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Helton, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100)
2c Carmine Rose, Ty. II, Rotary Perf 11 x 10 (539). Original gum, couple small h.r., bright color, centered to top right, Fine example of this scarce stamp
1c Green, Rotary Perf 11 (544). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, rich color and detailed impression
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THIS MAJOR 20TH CENTURY RARITY. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CENTERED EXAMPLES WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
A small quantity of 1c Rotary Press stamps was perforated 11 gauge at the end of 1922, using remainder sheets from the earlier printings that were normally perforated in 10 gauge or 10/11 compound gauge. Its existence as a Perf 11 variety was discovered in 1936, and the stamp received its Scott Catalogue listing in 1938.
Most of the recorded copies of Scott 544 are off-center or have been damaged--the result of irregular production and mishandling. There are perhaps a dozen Mint N.H. examples, but the highest grade at P.S.E. is a 75 and the highest at the P.F. is an 85. It is unlikely any of the ungraded copies with gum would grade higher, and we would love to see the P.F.'s 85 to confirm the grade is correct.
With 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates.
$2.00 Carmine & Black (547). Mint N.H., wide margins and near perfect centering, deep rich colors, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98), only one grades higher (at 100)
$2.00 Lake & Black (547a). Mint N.H. with bottom right corner selvage, wide balanced margins all around, strong color in this distinctive shade, slight natural gum crease not mentioned on certificate, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only two higher
2c Carmine Rose, Pilgrim Tercentenary (549). Mint N.H. with bottom selvage (small h.r. in selvage only), Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo), only one grades higher and six share this grade
5c Deep Blue, Pilgrim Tercentenary (550). Mint N.H., huge Jumbo margins and choice centering, post office fresh in every respect, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)