Sale 1297 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 31 October-2 November, 2023
Category — Officials including Special Printings
24c Purple, Justice (O32). Original gum, crisp impression, tiny perf stain at top is barely noticeable, Very Fine appearance, with 1975 A.P.S. and 2023 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Green & Black, State (O69). Large part original gum, Fine, Scott value as original gum
$10.00 Green & Black, State (O70). Unused (no gum), rich colors, corner perf tip crease at bottom left, couple backstamps including one in red that barely shows thru at bottom, Fine
$20.00 Green & Black, State (O71). Unused (no gum), dark colors, reperfed at left, otherwise Fine
1c Yellow, Agriculture, Soft Paper (O94). Without gum as issued, vibrant color, thin spot on Franklin's head which is common on this soft paper, otherwise Fine
24c Vermilion, Interior, Soft Paper (O103). Original gum, narrow h.r., brilliant color, fresh and Very Good example of this scarce stamp, with 1991 P.F. certificate
24c Vermilion, Interior, Soft Paper (O103). Original gum, large paper h.r., bright color, few slightly toned perf tips at top, otherwise Fine, scarce, with 2023 P.F. certificate
1c-30c Agriculture, Specimen Ovpt. (O1S-O9S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, attractive margins and centering, a couple small flaws may be found but this set was compiled by selecting top-tier examples from numerous sets owned by Mooz, overall fresh and Fine-Very Fine, of the 3c to 30c values a range of 352 to 390 each were sold
1c-30c Agriculture, Specimen Ovpt. (O1S-O9S). Complete set plus three extra 1c, including two Horizontal Ribbed Paper (O1Sb) and one identified by Mooz as Intermediate Soft Paper (thin spot, unlisted in Scott as Soft Paper), without gum as issued, bright colors, mostly decent centering, a few flaws but overall attractive and Fine-Very Fine or appear so, of the 3c to 30c values a range of 352 to 390 each were sold
1c-30c Agriculture, Specimen Ovpt. (O1S-O9S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, centering to touched or in and some scissors-separated, a few small flaws to be expected, overall Fine or appear so, of the 3c to 30c values a range of 352 to 390 each were sold
1c Carmine, Executive, Specimen Ovpt. (O10S). Bottom left corner imprint and plate no. 82 block of 14, plate no. 81 scored out below, without gum as issued, brilliant color, well-centered stamps nearly throughout
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND OUTSTANDING IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF 14 OF THE ONE-CENT EXECUTIVE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT. A WONDERFUL SHOWPIECE.
After the plate number "81" was engraved on the 1c plate, it was realized that No. 81 had already been assigned to the 30c War plate. The number was scratched out and replaced with "82" above Position 7 and below Position 97.
Ex Huggins.
1c Violet Rose, Executive, Soft Porous Paper, Specimen Ovpt. (O10xS). Four blocks of four, without gum as issued, two probably formed a block of eight and are hinged together (inaccurately), right block in this multiple with bottom right corner selvage, Fine-Very Fine, also two additional blocks, both with h.r. reinforcing perf separations, bottom pair in one light crease, some perf toning in the other, appear Fine-Very Fine, Scott value as four blocks of four
1c Violet Rose, Executive, Soft Porous Paper, Specimen Ovpt. (O10xS). Balance of nine multiples, eight are blocks including a rejoined block of eight, one strip of three with corner selvage, without gum as issued, rich colors, centering ranges from close or touched to some Very Fine centered stamps, some faults to be found which are mostly small, overall Fine-Very Fine appearance and scarce assemblage, the soft paper printing is more than twice as scarce as the ribbed paper printing (4,652 soft paper sold versus 10,000 for ribbed paper)
1c-90c Interior, Specimen Ovpt. (O15S-O24S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, some scissors-separation but most perfs intact, 12c shows trace of plate no. in wide margin at top, some perf or other small flaws
FINE APPEARANCE. THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SET IS ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OFFICIAL SPECIAL PRINTING SETS TO THE 90-CENT VALUE.
Of the 3c to 90c values, between 75 and 88 were sold, for a total of 635 stamps, making the Interior Department set one of the two rarest of the 1c-90c Special Printings (the Treasury Department has 646 sold, excluding the 7c).
1c-90c Interior, Specimen Ovpt. (O15S-O24S). Complete set, without gum as issued, fresh colors, some scissors-separation but most perfs intact, some perf or other small flaws and 24c sealed tear
FINE APPEARANCE. THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SET IS ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OFFICIAL SPECIAL PRINTING SETS TO THE 90-CENT VALUE.
Of the 3c to 90c values, between 75 and 88 were sold, for a total of 635 stamps, making the Interior Department set one of the two rarest of the 1c-90c Special Printings (the Treasury Department has 646 sold, excluding the 7c).
24c and 30c with 1980's P.F. certificates.
12c Vermilion, Interior, Specimen Ovpt. (O20S). Without gum as issued, brilliant color, unusually well-balanced margins
VERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES KNOWN OF THE RARE 12-CENT INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING.
The 12c and the 30c are the rarest of the Interior Department Special Printings, with only 75 of each sold. This is one of the finest examples extant of the 12c.
With 2023 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80). While this may seem like a routine grade, it is anything but that for the 12c Special Printing. The P.S.E. Population Report lists only one that grades higher (at 80J) and this single example at 80. Unpriced in SMQ.
12c Vermilion, Interior, Specimen Ovpt. (O20S). Without gum as issued, brilliant color, well-centered with complete perfs all around but reperfed at left, Very Fine appearance, the 12c and the 30c are the rarest of the Interior Department Special Printings, with only 75 of each sold, with 2023 P.F. certificate
15c Vermilion, Interior, Specimen Ovpt. (O21S). Without gum as issued, bright color, centered to top, thin spot, appears Fine, very scarce, only 78 sold
1c-90c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O25S-O34S). Complete set, without gum as issued, brilliant colors and largely attractive centering, nearly every side with full perfs, a couple small flaws to be found but the stamps in this set were selected from a substantial group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious faults
OVERALL FINE-VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
The sold quantities of the 3c-90c denominations in this set range from from 150-178.
1c-90c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O25S-O34S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, some scissors separation but nearly all sides with full perfs, 90c with natural straight edge, a few small flaws as usual but fresh and attractive appearance
OVERALL FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
The sold quantities of the 3c-90c denominations in this set range from from 150-178.
1c-90c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O25S-O34S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, nearly all sides with full perfs, a few of the usual small flaws including short or nibbed perfs
FINE APPEARING COMPLETE SET OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
The sold quantities of the 3c-90c denominations in this set range from from 150-178.
1c-90c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O25S-O34S). Complete set, without gum as issued, a few with perfs trimmed on a side by scissors separation, some typical flaws including short or nibbed perfs, Fine appearing set, the sold quantities of the 3c-90c denominations in this set range from from 150-178
24c-90c Justice, Specimen Ovpt. (O32S-O34S). Balance of ten stamps, including five 24c, two 30c and three 90c, all with scissors-trimmed or blunted perfs on at least one side, faults to be expected nearly throughout, still Fine appearing group
1c-90c Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (O35S-O45S). Complete set, without gum as issued, brilliant colors and attractive centering, all stamps with full perfs, a tiny flaw or two may be found and the 6c has been regummed with a small gum adherence on front (all of that can be washed off), but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking from among the choicest examples of each denomination
FINE-VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, the Navy Department is very scarce, with sales of the 90c value limiting the possible number of sets to 102.
1c-90c Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (O35S-O45S). Complete set, without gum as issued, bright colors, most sides with full perfs, just a couple sides affected by scissors separation, some small flaws to be found but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faults
FINE AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, the Navy Department is very scarce, with sales of the 90c value limiting the possible number of sets to 102.
1c Gray Blue, Navy, Soft Porous Paper, Specimen Ovpt. (O35xS). Balance of three blocks of four, a left selvage strip of four and a pair, without gum as issued, rich color, centering generally to close on a side, a few minor perf flaws on one block, slight toning in the perfs of the pair, overall Fine and scarce group with the blocks
7c Ultramarine, Navy, Specimen Ovpt. (O39S). Balance of 24 stamps, without gum as issued, the 7c seems to have been less frequently scissors separated so nearly all sides have full perfs, mixed condition with some flaws to be found but many are certainly sound, centering is generally Fine with a few pushing Very Fine, the 7c value is the most common of the Official Special Printings above the 2c but it is rarely if ever encountered in this quantity
1c-90c Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O47S-O56S). Complete set, without gum as issued, crisp impressions and attractive centering, all stamps with full perfs, a couple tiny flaws may be found and 24c with small scrape but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking from among the choicest examples of each denomination
FINE-VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Most of the values of the Post Office Special Printing above 2c were sold in quantities in the 80's and 90's, with the 30c sold in a quantity of only 81. This gives the Post Office set third-place ranking in rarity among the 1c to 90c complete set Official Special Printings.
1c-90c Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O47S-O56S). Complete set, without gum as issued, detailed impressions and attractive centering, nearly all sides with full perfs, a few sides affected by scissors separation, a few small flaws including 24c light toning but the stamps in this set were selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faults
FINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Most of the values of the Post Office Special Printing above 2c were sold in quantities in the 80's and 90's, with the 30c sold in a quantity of only 81. This gives the Post Office set third-place ranking in rarity among the 1c to 90c complete set Official Special Printings.
1c-90c Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O47S-O56S). Complete set, without gum as issued, nearly all sides with full perfs, a few small flaws to be encountered including 15c and 90c soiling
FINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SPECIAL PRINTING.
Most of the values of the Post Office Special Printing above 2c were sold in quantities in the 80's and 90's, with the 30c sold in a quantity of only 81. This gives the Post Office set third-place ranking in rarity among the 1c to 90c complete set Official Special Printings.
1c Black, Post Office, "Sepcimen" Error and Inverted Ovpt. (O47Sa, O47Sb). One of each error, without gum as issued, first with perfs trimmed at left, some toning on back extends to a few perfs at top, appears Very Good, second also trimmed at left, small tear at lower left, appears Very Good
1c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt., Inverted Ovpt. (O47Sb). Without gum as issued, well-centered, couple slightly short perfs in top left corner, appears Very Fine, this is the only invert error among the Officials Special Printings, although the 1c Post Office stamps were printed from a 200-subject plate, the sheets were divided into panes of 100 before overprinting, therefore, only 100 of the inverted "Specimen" overprints could have been produced and we do not know how many were sold, only a small fraction of the number printed has been located
3c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O49S). Without gum as issued, attractive centering and margins but we think reperfed at top, intense shade, appears Very Fine, only 91 sold
3c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O49S). Without gum as issued, huge margins to full at left, couple small thin spots, Very Fine appearance, only 91 sold
10c Black, Post Office, Specimen Ovpt. (O51S). Without gum as issued, wide margins, intense shade, partially reperfed at bottom, otherwise Extremely Fine, only 177 sold
1c-90c State, Specimen Ovpt. (O57S-O67S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, all with full perfs, 3c wide natural straight edge, several well-centered, a couple tiny flaws may be found but overall Fine-Very Fine
1c-90c State, Specimen Ovpt. (O57S-O67S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, all with full perfs and a few decent centering, some small flaws may be found but this set was selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major flaws, Fine-Very Fine set
1c Yellow Green, State, Soft Porous Paper, Specimen Ovpt. (O57xS). American Bank Note Co. printing, block of four with selvage at left, without gum as issued, mixed font with the overprint showing variation in the size of letters, rich color and attractive centering, reinforced perf separations including most of the horizontal perfs, Fine
1c Yellow Green, State, Soft Porous Paper, Specimen Ovpt. (O57xS). American Bank Note Co. printing, block of four with bottom imprint, without gum as issued, mixed font with the overprint showing variation in the size of letters, rich color, some reinforced perf separations and top right stamp tiny toned spot, selvage with pencil notations and small gum adherence (could be soaked), Fine appearing and rare imprint block, Scott value as normal block
2c Bluish Green, State, Specimen Ovpt. (O58S). Block of four, without gum as issued, intense shade, few short perfs at bottom, appears Very Fine
2c Bluish Green, State, Specimen Ovpt. (O58S). Balance of eight blocks of four, without gum as issued, four of the blocks are hinged together to reconstruct two blocks of eight, not precisely done but may belong together (not returnable if they do not), Fine centering and some perf separations, perhaps a couple small flaws, overall Fine
6c Bluish Green, State, Specimen Ovpt. (O60S). Without gum as issued, wide margins and beautifully centered, fresh color, Very Fine and choice
12c Bluish Green, State, Specimen Ovpt. (O63S). Without gum as issued, bright color and paper, choice centering, Extremely Fine, nice quality, only 280 sold
30c Bluish Green, State, Specimen Ovpt. (O66S). Without gum as issued, bright color, three wide margins, fresh and Fine
90c Bluish Green, State, Specimen Ovpt. (O67S). Without gum as issued, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, only 245 sold
1c-90c Treasury, Specimen Ovpt. (O72S-O82S). Complete set, without gum as issued, deep rich colors and choice centering for these difficult stamps, all with full perfs, a small flaw or two may be found but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking from among the choicest examples of each denomination
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COMPLETE SET OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING, INDIVIDUALY SELECTED FROM A LARGE GROUP FOR CHOICE APPEARANCE. THE TREASURY SET IS ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OF THE "CENTS" VALUES AMONG THE DEPARTMENTAL SPECIAL PRINTINGS.
Only 72 of the 90c were sold — the lowest among all the 1c-90c Special Printings, meaning no more than 72 complete Treasury sets can exist. Between 74 to 99 of the other values were sold (excluding the common 1c and the slightly more available 2c and 7c), for a total of 646 stamps. This makes the Treasury Department Special Printing one of the two rarest sets overall of the 1c to 90c issues, along with the Interior Department, which has 635 sold.
1c-90c Treasury, Specimen Ovpt. (O72S-O82S). Complete set, without gum as issued, deep rich colors, a few well-centered and nearly all sides with full perfs, a few flaws may be encountered including 3c some perf flaws but the stamps in this set were selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faults
OVERALL FINE-VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING — ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OF THE "CENTS" VALUES AMONG THE DEPARTMENTAL SPECIAL PRINTINGS.
Only 72 of the 90c were sold — the lowest among all the 1c-90c Special Printings, meaning no more than 72 complete Treasury sets can exist. Between 74 to 99 of the other values were sold (excluding the common 1c and the slightly more available 2c and 7c), for a total of 646 stamps. This makes the Treasury Department Special Printing one of the two rarest sets overall of the 1c to 90c issues, along with the Interior Department, which has 635 sold.
1c-90c Treasury, Specimen Ovpt. (O72S-O82S). Complete set, without gum as issued, deep rich colors, a few with wider margins, nearly all sides with full perfs, a few flaws to be found but the stamps in this set were selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faults
OVERALL FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING — ONE OF THE TWO RAREST OF THE "CENTS" VALUES AMONG THE DEPARTMENTAL SPECIAL PRINTINGS.
Only 72 of the 90c were sold — the lowest among all the 1c-90c Special Printings, meaning no more than 72 complete Treasury sets can exist. Between 74 to 99 of the other values were sold (excluding the common 1c and the slightly more available 2c and 7c), for a total of 646 stamps. This makes the Treasury Department Special Printing one of the two rarest sets overall of the 1c to 90c issues, along with the Interior Department, which has 635 sold.
1c-90c War, Specimen Ovpt. (O83S-O93S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, a few with decent centering and all but one side with full perfs, a few small flaws to be found including small margin tear at top of 6c but the stamps in this set were individually selected from a large group owned by Mooz, picking examples without obvious or major faults
OVERALL FINE-VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, between 104 and 119 copies of the War Department Special Printings were sold (the 30c has the smallest sale quantity with 104).
1c-90c War, Specimen Ovpt. (O83S-O93S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, generally Fine centering and with full perfs, a few flaws to be found but most are non-obvious
FINE APPEARING COMPLETE SET OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, between 104 and 119 copies of the War Department Special Printings were sold (the 30c has the smallest sale quantity with 104).
1c-90c War, Specimen Ovpt. (O83S-O93S). Complete set, without gum as issued, rich colors, generally Fine centering and with full perfs, 10c natural straight edge, some flaws to be expected including 6c reperfed and 30c frayed perfs but most are non-obvious
FINE APPEARING COMPLETE SET OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PRINTING.
Other than the 1c, 2c and 7c values, between 104 and 119 copies of the War Department Special Printings were sold (the 30c has the smallest sale quantity with 104).
1c Deep Rose, War, "Sepcimen" Error (O83Sa). Without gum as issued, scissors-trimmed at bottom, faults including small thin spot and some light perf tip toning/soiling, otherwise Fine
2c Deep Rose, War, Specimen Ovpt. (O84S). Block of 32 with top imprint and partial plate "(No. 3)5", without gum as issued, scissors-separated at right with intact perfs, rich color, reinforced perf separations between bottom two rows, few other minor separations, Fine, a scarce large multiple almost qualifying as a plate block, we have not encountered any full top imprint and plate number blocks for this issue, Scott value as blocks of four without premium for the position
7c Deep Rose, War, Specimen Ovpt. (O87S). Balance of 22 stamps, without gum as issued, interesting range of shades, some are well-centered with the majority Fine centering, several with wide natural straight edge, some small flaws to be found but the truly faulty stamps were removed to a larger War balance, overall Fine accumulation, Scott value at $425 each