Sale 1305 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 13-14 December, 2023
Category — Special Delivery thru Postage Due
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E4). Mint N.H., intense color on bright paper, three wide margins, Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.E., 1991 and 2023 P.F. certificates
10c Blue, Special Delivery (E5). Bottom imprint and plate no. 77 strip of three, original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, some reinforced perf separations, Fine
10c Pale Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E10). Mint N.H., wide margins and well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 1996 and 2023 P.F. certificates
10c Gray Violet, Special Delivery (E11b). Mint N.H., incredible Jumbo margins and mathematical centering, strong color in this sub-shade, small natural straw fiber inclusion not mentioned on certificate
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1911 10-CENT SPECIAL DELIVERY IN THE GRAY VIOLET SUB-SHADE HAS ACHIEVED THE ULTIMATE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO. NO OTHER SCOTT E11 OR ITS SUB-SHADES HAS EQUALED IT.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98J). This is the highest grade possible and it is shared by no other E11b stamps. For the main listing E11 color, Ultramarine, the highest grade is 98J (two examples). For the Blue shade, E11c, the highest grade is 90. This is a truly exceptional example of this issue.
50c Brown (J7). Mint N.H., wonderfully fresh with rich color, Very Fine and attractive, scarce in Mint N.H. condition, Power Search lists only one other unduplicated example in our sales since 1993, ex "Cloudrest", with 1988 and 2023 P.F. certificates
50c Red Brown, Postage Due (J21). Mint N.H., bright and fresh color, detailed impression, Very Fine, a lovely Mint N.H. example of this issue, with 1986 and 2023 P.F. certificates
3c Carmine Lake (J54). Mint N.H., well-centered, incredibly intense color, we believe reperfed at right but this is not mentioned on either accompanying certificate, Very Fine appearance, with clear 1994 and 2023 P.F. certificates