Sale 1298 — The Nathanael Greene Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 8 November, 2023
Category — Offices in China
2c on 1c Green, Offices in China (K1). Mint N.H., rich color, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98), only one grades higher (at 98J) and eight others share this desirable grade
4c on 2c Rose, Offices in China (K2). Mint N.H., brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $450.00), only four grade higher (at 98, we haven't offered any since 2008)
6c on 3c Violet, Offices in China (K3). Mint N.H., deep shade on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a surprisingly difficult denomination to find in higher grades, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only two have graded higher (both 98, we haven't offered either since 2016) and only ten others share this grade
8c on 4c Brown, Offices in China (K4). Mint N.H., wide and balanced margins, rich color on crisp paper
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT ON 4-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Sacramento" and Lanza. With 2008 and 2023 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only three grade higher (one at 95J, two at 98). This is the only example in this grade we have offered since 2009.
10c on 5c Blue, Offices in China (K5). Mint N.H., choice centering and margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
12c on 6c Red Orange, Offices in China (K6). Mint N.H., vibrant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
14c on 7c Black, Offices in China (K7). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, unusually choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 P.F. and 2007 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95), only one grades higher (at 98) and 15 others share this desirable grade, this is only the second in this grade we have offered since 2011
16c on 8c Olive Green, Offices in China (K8a). Mint N.H., outstanding color which is bright and fresh, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 16-CENT ON 8-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE. ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Ex Dr. Killien, "Hanover" and Myerson. With 1992, 2006 and 2022 P.F. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F., and no other P.F. graded stamp shares it. By way of comparison, only one 98J is in the P.S.E. Population Report, and only two grade higher (at 100 and 100J). The highest grade awarded to the K8 basic shade is 98.
18c on 9c Salmon Red, Offices in China (K9). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, beautifully centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), only seven grade higher (two at 95J, five at 98)
20c on 10c Orange Yellow, Offices in China (K10). Mint N.H., vivid color and bright paper, gorgeous centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), SCV $140
24c on 12c Brown Carmine, Offices in China (K11). Mint N.H., deep rich color, unusually choice centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT ON 12-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Myerson and Lanza. With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only one grades higher (at 98, brought $4,500 hammer in 2016) and only one other shares this desirable grade (last offered by us in our 2009 Whitman sale). Undercatalogued in SMQ, as this brought $2,100 hammer in both the Myerson and Lanza sales.
30c on 15c Gray, Offices in China (K12). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), by way of comparison only six grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report, SCV $200
40c on 20c Deep Ultramarine, Offices in China (K13). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, perfectly centered, long and full perforations all around
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A REMARKABLE MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 40-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE THAT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPROVE UPON.
With 2008 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98). Only one grades higher (at 98J) and none share this desirable grade. A review of the P.S.E. Population Report for the underlying stamp, Scott No. 515, will also give an indication of its rarity in higher grades. The significantly more available Scott No. 515 has only 16 Mint N.H. stamps graded 98 or above.
60c on 30c Orange Red, Offices in China (K14). Mint N.H., vivid color on bright paper, well-balanced margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 60-CENT ON 30-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95). Only three grade higher (two at 95J, one at 98J).
$1.00 on 50c Light Violet, Offices in China (K15). Original gum, barely hinged, intense color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 ON 50-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY AND THE ONLY STAMP TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 1992 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded in any category (highest Mint N.H. are two at 98). This has the widest margins of any we have encountered.
$2.00 on $1.00 Violet Brown, Offices in China (K16). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Morton and Lanza. With 1997 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only two grade higher (both 98) and only one other shares this desirable grade.
2c on 1c Green, Offices in China (K17). Mint N.H., exceptional centering and margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1922 OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only eight others.
4c on 2c Carmine, Offices in China (K18). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT ON 2-CENT U.S. POSTAL AGENCY IN CHINA LOCAL SURCHARGE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex "Sacramento". With 2008 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others.