United States Stamps continued...

1906-08 Imperforates continued...

Lot	Symbol	CatNo.	Lot Description	CV or Estimate
81	/	314	#314, 1c Blue green imperforate, complete bottom left corner plate no. 3119 pane of 100, with full sheet selvages, wonderfully fresh, strong rich color, o.g., all but few stamps around edges n.h., some natural paper wrinkles, one stamp at right and sheet selvage at left with small tear, overall a very fine and scarce full pane. (Image)	3,300.00+ SOLD for $1,300.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
82		314A	#314A, 4c Brown imperforate Schermack Ty. III perforations, brilliantly fresh mint example, incredibly well centered within very large margins, full Schermack perforations showing on both sides, sumptuously rich color and a deeply etched impression, full clean original gum, mild h.r., very small tear at left not readily apparent, otherwise extremely fine. The Four Cent Imperforate of 1908 is one of the great rarities in United States philately. Even in used condition, of which there are approximately 32 thought to still exist, this stamp is one of the most sought-after rarities by serious philatelists. But to find a mint example presents an even greater challenge to collectors, as there are only 21 such stamps recorded. And of this minute population, twelve are tied up in pairs (four recorded) and in line pairs (two recorded, one of which just recently sold for $220,000.00 at auction). This leaves only nine mint singles potentially available to collectors. However, this number is further reduced if one wishes to obtain a single still retaining its original gum, as two are known without gum (one of which has been nearly torn in two and rebacked). Of the seven known original gum singles, one resides in the Miller collection housed in the New York Public Library collection, presumably never to be made available to the collecting public. Therefore, there are only six original gum Scott #314A's available and this is the first such example to appear on the auction market in years. The disparity in value quoted in the Scott catalog for mint versus used examples does not accurately reflect the far greater rarity of a mint copy. The current Scott catalog value for a mint single is $45,000.00, only $5,000.00 more than a used example, yet the total population of mint singles is less than a third of the known population of used examples. An exciting and infrequent opportunity for the advanced collector of mint United States stamps to finally fill one of the most challenging spaces in their album. Accompanied by a 1964 PF certificate; ex-"Ambassador" collection. (Image)	45,000.00 SOLD for $65,000.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
83		314A	#314A, 4c Brown, imperforate, Schermack Ty. III perforations, centered to left, having been dispensed from the Schermack machine, leaving full Schermack perforations at right, deep luxuriant color, tied neatly to greenish blue linen envelope measuring approximately 9 1/4" x 4" by "Detroit, Mich./Jun 1908" duplex postmark, addressed simply to the "U.S. Customs Office/Detroit, Michigan", the cover itself is remarkably clean and fresh, with only two insignificant edge tears, overall very fine. While bearing no sender's return address, it is widely accepted by researchers that this envelope contained printed Hamilton Carhartt advertising matter. According to published reports in 1911, this cover addressed to the U.S. Customs Office in Detroit, was retrieved from a wastepaper basket at the Customs office, fortuitously rescuing one of the most important covers in United States philately. This remarkable cover is one of only four recorded bearing a 1908 Four Cent Imperforate. Of course, any of these four covers is an immense and desired rarity. However, the cover offered here from the Brody collection holds the impressive and unique distinction of being the sole surviving commercial usage cover for which this stamp was originally intended. Accompanied by a 1957 PF certificate (whose photograph has fallen off) and an updated 1996 PF certificate; ex-Lawrence S. Fisher. (Image)	130,000.00 SOLD for $160,000.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
84	/	315	#315, 5c Blue imperforate, block of four, exceptionally bright and fresh, uniformly large margins all around, o.g., bottom pair n.h., top pair l.h., one of which has a tiny thin spot, otherwise extremely fine; 1994 PF certificate. (Image)	1,400.00+ SOLD for $975.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
85	/	315	#315, 5c Blue imperforate, full right sheet-margin arrow and "ball marker" mint block of four, exceptionally large and wonderfully well balanced margins all around, sumptuously rich color and impression on bright paper, o.g., three stamps n.h., fourth at top right very lightly hinged, extremely fine; a very rare position block; it is believed that the ball shaped marking, known on less than 2 tenths of a percent (.002) of sheet plate proofs, represents indentations from a Brinnell plate hardness measuring; ex-"Derby" collection. (Image)	2,150.00 SOLD for $1,900.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
86	PB	315	#315, 5c Blue imperforate, full right margin imprint and plate no. 2953 block of six, uniformly large margins, especially strong and rich color, o.g., barest trace of hinging (if at all), light diagonal crease not at all apparent from face, otherwise extremely fine. (Image)	2,600.00 SOLD for $1,350.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
87	O	315	#315, 5c Blue imperforate, a magnificent quality used single, being a right sheet-margin example with a huge sheet selvage, other margins lavishly large as well, especially deep luxuriant color and impression, neat and unobtrusive wavy line machine postmark at bottom, extremely fine; a truly rare stamp used in any condition, but particularly so this choice. (Image)	600.00 SOLD for $2,300.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
88	O	315	#315, 5c Blue imperforate, a highly desirable used horizontal pair, featuring large and wonderfully well balanced margins all around, especially strong and crisp impression on bright paper, neat light strike of a double oval postmark, extremely fine; used pairs of the Five Cent 1908 Imperforate are very rare, especially in premium condition, similar quality used pairs have been realizing between $3,500.00 and $4,000.00 in recent auctions; 1985 PF certificate. (Image)	2,500.00 SOLD for $4,500.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM

1908 Experimental Coils

Lot	Symbol	CatNo.	Lot Description	CV or Estimate
89		316	#316, 1c Blue green coil, perf. 12 horiz., guide line pair, stamps having been separated and rejoined, intensely rich color in the dark green shade characteristic only to genuine examples, rather well centered, o.g., small h.r., tiny corner perforation tip crease at bottom right, fine. This immensely rare line pair is, unquestionably, one of the greatest rarities in 20th century philately. Normal (non-line) pairs of this experimental coil are enormously rare themselves, with only nine pairs (plus one single) having been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation. One such pair realized a record $150,000.00, plus the 10% buyer's premium, as part of our auction of the William S. Floyd collection in October 2001. The line pair offered here from the Brody collection is even more elusive, as it is one of only three line pairs recorded. The other two pairs have not surfaced on the auction market in many years. An extraordinary opportunity for the serious collector of United States coils, or for the collector who seeks to acquire examples of the most important items in United States philately. Accompanied by a 1975 PF certificate. (Image)	190,000.00 SOLD for $65,000.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
90		317	#317, 5c Blue coil, perf. 12 horiz., an exceptionally handsome appearing mint pair of this coil rarity of which fewer than ninety pairs are recorded, unusually well centered and margined, although expertly reperforated at top, sumptuously rich color and a deeply etched impression, o.g., small corner crease at bottom right, choice very fine appearance; 1991 PSE certificate. (Image)	15,000.00 SOLD for $7,500.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
91	O	317	#317, 5c Blue coil, perf. 12 horiz., used single tied to small piece by central strike of double oval registry postmark, quite well centered within large margins (especially at sides which clearly confirm this as a genuine coil single), perforations at bottom neatly trimmed away prior to usage, couple of small faults including a natural pre-affixing crease at bottom, very fine appearance; used examples of any of the 1908 experimental coils are enormously rare and, in the case of the Five Cent coil, this is one of only three used copies reported; a highly important stamp for the collector who is attempting to obtain an example of every Scott number that is known used; listed but unpriced in Scott; 1991 APS certificate. (Image)	Est. 1,500-2,000 SOLD for $4,750.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
92		321	#321, 2c Carmine coil, perf. 12 horiz., pair, marvelously fresh, rich luxuriant color and a sharp detailed impression, exceptionally well centered, full clean o.g., lightly hinged, very fine and exceedingly choice. This magnificent pair of this experimental coil pair rarity is not only one of the most important rarities in United States philately, but it also ranks as one of the greatest rarities in all of philately. There are a mere four pairs certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation and there are no known mint singles. Two used singles are recorded on cover. Of the four certified mint pairs, the pair offered here and one other are the only ones whose centering grades at least very fine. One of the most exciting U.S. stamps to make an appearance on the auction market in the past decade. A thorough search of the greatest collections of United States stamps ever offered at auction reveals that virtually every one was lacking this coil rarity. We believe the current Scott catalog value for this pair will be well exceeded by its final auction realization, based upon what a choice pair of its One Cent counterpart (#316) realized in our October 2001 sale of the William S. Floyd collection. The Floyd #316 pair, of which there are eight pairs and three line pairs known, realized $165,000.00 versus a then catalog value of $105,000.00. Considering the fact that there are only four known pairs of Scott #321, none of which have appeared on the auction market in over ten years, we fully expect it to attract bidding at levels well above the price achieved for the Floyd #316 pair. Signed very lightly in pencil on the top stamp by the well known dealer/expert E. Stern and accompanied by 1961 and 1992 PF certificates; ex-"Connoisseur" collection. (Image)	125,000.00 SOLD for $325,000.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
93		318	#318, 1c Blue green coil, perf. 12 vert., an exceptional quality mint pair of this coil rarity, possessing outstanding centering which is far better than found on the vast majority of existing pairs, intensely rich color and a highly detailed impression on fresh paper, o.g., relatively lightly hinged, extremely fine; according to Martin A. Armstrong in his book United States Coil Issues 1906-38, only 80 pairs have been certified by the Philatelic Foundation; each stamp in pair with light McKeel's guarantee handstamp and accompanied by 1947 and 1972 PF certificates. (Image)	14,000.00 SOLD for $9,000.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
94		318	#318, 1c Blue green coil, perf. 12 vert., an unusually fresh mint pair of this very desirable coil rarity, with paste-up at right showing guide line, being one of only two such paste-up pairs recorded, rich luxuriant color and distinctive crisp impression, reasonably well centered for a stamp that is more often encountered quite poorly centered, o.g., lightly hinged, fine; 1945 APS certificate for a strip of four from which this pair was taken, and a 1972 PF certificate as a pair. (Image)	14,000.00 SOLD for $4,000.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
95		322	#322, 2c Carmine coil, perf. 12 vert., an exceedingly handsome mint pair of this coil rarity, possessing far better centering than the vast majority of known pairs, rich carmine color distinctive only to genuine examples, o.g., lightly hinged, very fine and quite choice; the most recent survey of certified examples was completed in 1980 by Martin A. Armstrong for his book Washington-Franklins 1908-1921, at that time he noted that only 167 had been certified by the Philatelic Foundation, it is our opinion that less than one quarter of this total exist in sound condition and with their perforations not cutting the design, of this small minority, only a few can compare to the quality of the pair offered here; 1972 PF certificate. (Image)	12,000.00 SOLD for $11,500.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
96		322	#322, 2c Carmine coil, perf. 12 vert., a brilliantly fresh mint pair of this rarity, with paste-up at right showing guide line, being one of only three such paste-up pairs recorded, gloriously rich and intense color, outstanding centering which is almost never encountered, o.g., small minor h.r., extremely fine; a highly desirable and very rare variety of this important 1908 coil; 1972 PF certificate; ex-Klein. (Image)	12,000.00 SOLD for $5,250.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM

1903-06 Two Cent "Shield" Stamp

Lot	Symbol	CatNo.	Lot Description	CV or Estimate
97	/	319, 319a-k	#319, 319a-k, 2c 1903-08 "Shield" issue, the marvelous shade study of 48 mint blocks of four, each meticulously assembled and identified by Mr. Brody as to their specific shade and die type, using the shades listed by Max Johl as his guide (in fact, several of the blocks are from Mr. Johl's personal shade study), all showing the incredible range of shades found on this issue, all blocks are quite well centered, o.g., nearly half of the stamps are n.h., a few perf. separations as to be expected, overall very fine; an invaluable and irreplaceable lot for the specialist. .	Est. 1,000-1,500 SOLD for $2,100.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
98	/	319	#319, 2c Carmine, Ty. I, complete bottom right corner plate no. 4140 pane of 100, with full sheet selvages, bright fresh color, while centering varies throughout the pane, a number of stamps are quite well centered, o.g., about 20% of the stamps on the pane are hinged (some with h.r.'s reinforcing separated perfs.), rest n.h., one stamp with small thin spot, overall fine-very fine; seldom seen as a complete pane. (Image)	1,125.00+ SOLD for $525.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
99		319 var.	#319 var., 2c Carmine, top left corner margin single, with bizzare perforations due to a foldover, in fact the perforations are so misaligned that a nearly complete blank "stamp" is in the selvage, o.g., fine. (Image)	Est. 150-200 SOLD for $170.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM
100		319 var.	#319 var., 2c Carmine, unused bottom right corner margin vertical pair, with crazy perforations due to a foldover, the bottom stamp being nearly imperforate at right, and with extra-large sheet selvage creating an almost complete blank "stamp", fine and quite dramatic. (Image)	Est. 200-300 SOLD for $375.00 Closing..Dec-06, 05:00 PM