Gems of Philately
47 Kearny St # 500, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
| Lot | Postage Due Issues | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | Special Delivery, 1902, 10¢ ultramarine, large die proof on India paper. On full card (202x153mm), with blue "328084" control number on reverse, remarkably fresh and pristine, Superb, ex-F.D. Roosevelt & Markovits.Scott No. E6P1; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.ONE OF ONLY TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE 1902 10¢ SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE LARGE DIE PROOF ON INDIA. This proof was lot 80 in the H.R. Harmer sale of the Roosevelt collection in February 1946. At that time Clarence Brazer wrote the essay and proof portion of the sale and he was only aware of one other example of this proof, which was the approval copy that was featured in our Robert Markovits Collection of Special Delivery Issues (June 2016, Sale 69, Lot 1093, realized $2,200 hammer). |  | $2,000 |
| 302 | Special Delivery, 1908, 10¢ green. Top margin plate no. "4916" block of 6 with and imprint, o.g., never hinged, attractive overall centering, rich color and exceptional freshness, Extremely Fine.Scott No. E7; $1,500.A CHOICE TOP MARGIN PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10¢ "HELMUT OF MERCURY" SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. |  | $1,500 |
| 303 | Special Delivery, 1908, 10¢ green. Socked-on-the-nose "Nash. & Atlanta R.P.O." circular date stamp cancel, perfect centering amid large evenly balanced margins, rich vivid color, a Superb gem, one of only three to graded as such with none higher - certainly one of the finest, with 2020 P.F. certificate Graded (Superb 98, SMQ $575).Scott No. E7; $50. |  | $50 |
| 304 | Special Delivery, 1911, 10¢ ultramarine. O.g., never hinged, precision centering amid large well balanced margins, rich deep color and quite fresh, an Extremely Fine gem, a lovely gem - certainly would benefit from grading, with 2001 P.F. certificate.Scott No. E8; $250. |  | $250 |
| 305 | Special Delivery, 1914, 10¢ ultramarine. Top margin plate block of 6 with plate number "5520" and imprint, o.g., never hinged, remarkably well centered amid large margins, exceptional fresh with bright vivid color, Extremely Fine and choice.Scott No. E9; $4,500.AN EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE NEVER HINGED TOP MARGIN PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1914 10¢ SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. |  | $4,500 |
| 306 | Special Delivery, 1917, 10¢ ultramarine. With red "61516" control number, light cancel in left margin, strong color, Fine, an unusual and possibly unique issue with control number.Scott No. E11; Estimate $750 - 1,000. This control is very reminiscent of the red control numbers applied to the 1861-66 issues which was applied by a bond-numbering mechanical device. |  2 | $750 |
| 307 | Postage Due, 1879, 1¢ brown. O.g., choice centering amid large well balanced margins, bright color, an Extremely Fine to Superb jumbo, with 2021 P.S.E. certificate Graded (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $300 for 95 and $500 for 98).Scott No. J1; $100. |  | $100 |
| 308 | Postage Due, 1879, 3¢ brown. O.g., neat hinged once, choice centering, strong bright color, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate Graded (XF 90, SMQ $170).Scott No. J3; $100. |  | $100 |
| 309 | Postage Due, 1879, 50¢ brown. O.g., nicely centered amid large margins, rich color, Very Fine and attractive, with 1990 P.F. & 2006 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (VF 80).Scott No. J7; $625. |  | $625 |
| 310 | Postage Due, 1879, 10¢ deep brown, Special Printing. No gum, well centered with large margins, bright fresh color, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, only 174 sold, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate.Scott No. J12; $2,900.A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE STAMP. |  | $2,900 |
| 311 | Postage Due, 1884, 5¢ red brown. O.g., very lightly hinged, exceptional centering with evenly balanced margins, rich color and quite fresh, Extremely Fine to Superb, with 1989 P.F. & 2013 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $1,300).Scott No. J18; $550. |  | $550 |
| 312 | Postage Due, 1884, 10¢ red brown. O.g., choice centering amid large well balanced margins, strong bold color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. & 2014 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90, SMQ $850).Scott No. J19; $550. |  | $550 |
| 313 | Postage Due, 1884, 30¢ red brown. O.g., never hinged, well centered amid wide margins, strong color, an Extremely Fine jumbo, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate Graded (XF 90 Jumbo, SMQ $1,250).Scott No. J20; $550. |  | $550 |
| 314 | Postage Due, 1891, 10¢ bright claret. O.g., never hinged, choice centering amid tall margins, rich bright color and very fresh, a Very Fine to Extremely Fine jumbo, with 2003 P.F. & 2009 P.S.E. certificates, latter Graded (VF-XF 85J, SMQ $675).Scott No. J26; $500. |  | $500 |
| 315 | Postage Due, 1894, 2¢ vermilion. O.g., lightly hinged, rich vivid color, with balanced margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate Graded (XF 90, SSV $1,250).Scott No. J30; $800. |  | $800 |
| 316 | Postage Due, 1895, 3¢ deep claret. O.g., neatly hinged once, choice centering and margins, intensely rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.F. certificate Graded (XF 90, SSV $260).Scott No. J33; $200. |  | $200 |
| 317 | Postage Due, 1894, 10¢ deep claret. Bottom margin plate no. "72" single, o.g., never hinged, fresh with rich color, Very Fine, a very scarce plate single in never hinged condition, with 2023 P.S.E. certificate.Scott No. J35; $1,000. |  | $1,000 |
| 318 | Postage Due, 1895, 5¢ deep claret, D.L. watermark. Bottom margin single with part imprint, o.g., never hinged, intense bold color and very fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. & 2006 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (XF 90, SMQ $550).Scott No. J41; $280. |  | $280 |
| 319 | Postage Due, 1910, 10¢ rose carmine, S.L. watermark, perf. 12. O.g., never hinged, rich vibrant color and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2016 P.F. certificate Graded (XF 90, SSV $475).Scott No. J49a; $280. |  | $280 |
| 320 | Postage Due, 1914, 30¢ carmine lake, S.L. watermark, perf. 10. O.g., never hinged, choice centering amid wide margins, rich deep color, Extremely Fine and attractive, with 1998 P.F. certificate.Scott No. J57; $525. |  | $525 |
| Lot | Postal Stationery & Revenues | Estimate | |
| 321 | Postage Due, 1916, 2¢ rose, unwatermarked, perf. 10. O.g., never hinged, wide nicely balanced margins, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate.Scott No. J60; $625. |  | $625 |
| 322 | Postage Due, 1917, 30¢ carmine rose, unwatermarked, perf. 11. O.g., never hinged, exceptional centering amid wide margins, strong bright color, Extremely Fine to Superb, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate Graded (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $600).Scott No. J66; $220. |  | $220 |
| 323 | Postage Due, 1917, 50¢ deep claret, unwatermarked, perf. 11. O.g., never hinged, wide margins and exceptional centering, rich bold color, Extremely Fine and choice, with 2017 P.F. certificate Graded (XF 90, SSV $500).Scott No. J67b; $325. |  | $325 |
| 324 | Interior Dept., 1873, 12¢ vermilion. Rich color, canceled by purple target handstamp on legal size "Department of the Interior, Yakama Indian Agency, Fort Simcoe, Wash. Ter." imprint cover to the Tulalip Agency in Puget Sound, W.T., matching "Fort Simcoe, Wash Terr., Jun 8, 1883" cds; cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, a very rare usage from Washington Territory.Scott No. O20; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 325 | State Dept., 1873, $2-$20 "Atlanta" trial color plate proofs on card. A near complete set of 25 of the 28 bicolor proofs (missing O68TC4g, O69TC4b & O71TCa for completion), with extra O71TCe, all with full margins and rich colors, Very Fine, a wonderful opportunity to acquire and complete this extremely rare set.Scott No. O68TC4//O71TC4; $26,000. |  | $26,000 |
| 326 | State Dept., 1873, $2 green & black, plate proof on India. Complete sheet of 10 with double imprints and plate "121" & "123" numbers, rich bright colors and free of the usual India paper shallow spots, interesting circular scratches in lower right margin slightly affecting last position stamp (and does show up on the issued stamps); some minor wrinkling in bottom margin, Very Fine, with only a couple complete sheets known to exist, ex-Huggins.Scott No. O68P3; $4,000 for singles.AN EXTREMELY RARE COMPLETE SHEET PLATE PROOF ON INDIA OF THE $2 STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE. |  | $4,000 |
| 327 | State Dept., 1873, $20 green & black, plate proof on India. Complete sheet of 10 with double imprints and plate "124" & "123" numbers, rich bright colors; couple usual natural shallow spots one between first two position stamps, Very Fine.Scott No. O71P3; $4,000 for singles.AN EXTREMELY RARE AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE COMPLETE SHEET PLATE PROOF ON INDIA OF THE $20 STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE. |  2 | $4,000 |
| 328 | Agriculture Dept., 1879, 1¢ yellow. Without gum as issued, fresh with rich radiant color and a crisp impression, attractive centering and margins, Very Fine, one of the rarest of the American Bank Note issue, with 2001 P.F. certificate.Scott No. O94; $6,000.A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1¢ 1879 AGRICULTURE AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER. As discerning collectors know, the Officials can be extremely difficult to obtain in sound, centered condition. This is especially true of the American printings on soft porous papers, which are prone to faults. |  | $6,000 |
| 329 | Treasury Dept., 1879, 90¢ brown. Duplex cancel, choice centering amid wide margins, rich color and a sharp early impression, Very Fine and choice, one of finest and highest graded used examples of this Treasury Department high value, with 2021 P.F. certificate Graded (VF-XF 85, SSV $900).Scott No. O113; $750. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (3.0MB). |  | $750 |
| 330 | Newspaper, 1875, 12¢ pale rose, C.B.N.C. "Hard Paper" Special Printing. Without gum as issued, choice centering and encompassed by uncommonly large margins, stunning radiant color in bright paper, Extremely Fine, rarely encountered so choice, with 1974 & 2024 P.F. certificates.Scott No. PR40; $1,500. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (2.9MB). |  | $1,500 |
| 331 | Newspaper, 1879, 4¢ black, A.B.N.C. printing. In combination with Newspaper, 1885, 1¢ black, A.B.N.C. printing (PR81) attempting and succeeding to pay to the 5¢ rate to Dresden, Germany, each tied by neat strike of "San Antonio, Tex., Rec'd, Jul 25, 1893" origin cds's, reverse with New York transit machine postmark and Dresden receiving cds, Very Fine, with 1979 P.F. certificate.Scott No. PR59; Estimate $500 - 750.A REMARKABLE AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE USE OF THESE NEWSPAPER ISSUES ON A COVER. |  | $500 |
| 332 | Newspaper, 1896, $100 purple, Bureau printing, D.L. watermark. Exceptional centering amid large oversized and beautifully balanced margins, rich deep color, a Superb jumbo, one of two examples to grade as such with no others grading higher, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate Graded (Superb 98J, SMQ $3,500).Scott No. PR125; $300.A SPECTACULAR USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1896 $100 NEWSPAPER ISSUE. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (2.8MB). |  | $300 |
| 333 | Libbey & Co.'s City Post, 10 Court Square. Clear strike of red three-line handstamp on folded letter to Rouses Point, N.Y., franked with 1851, 3¢ dull red (11A) tied by red "Boston, 3 cts, Apr 3" integral rate cds and large "Paid" in grid handstamp, Very Fine, very rare with less than a dozen known examples, ex-Hollowbush.Estimate; $300 - 400. Libbey & Co., along with being a Boston local post, was an agent for Carr's Bangor Express. |  | $300 |
| 334 | American Letter Mail Co., 1844, black on gray, horizontal pair. Margins huge to just shaving frameline at top left, small scissor cut between stamps at top, canceled and tied by manuscript dashes on folded letter sheet docketed "New York, 14th Nov., 1844" to Philadelphia, with red "Forwarded by, American Mail Co., Nov. 15, from No. 101 Chestnut St., Philada." circular date stamp alongside, Very Fine and rare double rate usage of the Large Eagle issue, with 2007 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 5L2; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 335 | City Despatch Post, 1842, 3¢ black on grayish. O.g., never hinged, huge even margins, Post Office fresh, Superb, a difficult stamp to find this choice, with 2022 P.F. certificate Graded (S 98).Scott No. 40L1; $375 for hinged.A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE WHICH IS RARELY FOUND IN THIS GEM NEVER HINGED CONDITION. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (3.0MB). |  | $375 |
| 336 | Cumming's City Post, 1844, 2¢ black on yellow. Clear to large margins, canceled by segmented square cancel on oversized locally addressed floral bordered Valentine cover, with red oval "Cummings Express, 2 Cts." illustrated locomotive handstamp and matching "Paid, A.H.C." boxed handstamp; light wear and central vertical and horizontal file folds, Very Fine.Scott No. 55L3; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A RARE VALENTINE COVER USAGE BEARING THE CUMMING'S CITY POST 2¢ BLACK ON YELLOW ISSUE. A matching Valentine cover addressed in the same hand to a different address and with the same handstamp markings was offered in the Siegel's Kuphal sale (Sale 925, Lot 1494A). It appears on that cover has an gummed toned area in the upper right hand corner in the shape of the Cummings' adhesive (which probably fell off) which lends credence to this usage as being genuine. Still, this cover is being offered "as is". |  | $1,000 |
| 337 | Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 10¢ brown, 25¢ blue & 25¢ red. Blocks of 4, no gum, each with full margins on one side and wide sheet margins around, all exceptionally fresh with brilliant colors, Extremely Fine and choice.Scott No. 143L7-143L9; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A SUPERB BLOCK OF FOUR SET OF THE WELLS, FARGO & CO. VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS ISSUES. This was a Private Enterprise of Wells, Fargo & Co. for the rapid handling of letters between San Francisco and the mining region around Virginia City, Nevada. Adhesive stamps were affixed to Wells Fargo franked envelopes which for the extra charge indicated by the stamps, gave rapid service by pony. Letters went from San Francisco to Sacramento by Boat, then by Pony. The service started Aug. 11, 1852 with an extra Pony Charge of 10 cents. This rate was increased in 1863 to 25 cents. The color of the 25 cents was changed from blue to red in 1864 and the service was ended in early 1865. |  | $2,000 |
| 338 | 1874, 2¢ brown on orange, Centennial Special Printing. Die 48, watermark 2, size 7, knife 30u. Fresh mint entire, die with characteristically sharp bold embossing, fine impression and in a true brown shade only used for the Centennial printings, Extremely Fine, ex-White & Floyd, with 2001 P.F. certificate. UPSS No. 299.Scott No. U125; $35,000.ONE OF SIX EXAMPLES OF THE 2¢ JACKSON CENTENNIAL SPECIAL PRINTING ENTIRES AND ONE OF ONLY THREE IN THIS ENVELOPE FORMAT (UPSS 299). Special Printings of envelopes for the 1876 Centennial Exposition are recognized as being among the rarest of all stamped envelopes. It is believed that due to fineness of the impressions on these issues that it is quite possible that new die where used for these special printings. The U.P.S.S. lists one other size envelope with and without watermark (with three examples recorded for both) as well as a cut square is known. |  | $35,000 |
| 339 | Envelope, 1920, 2¢ on 3¢ dark violet. Violet surcharge type 7, cut square (full corner), bright and fresh, Very Fine, ex-Scarsdale, with 1998 P.F. certificate. UPSS No. 3038.Scott No. U480; $4,250.A CHOICE FULL CORNER OF THE RARE 1920 2¢ ON 3¢ VIOLET WITH VIOLET SURCHARGE ISSUED IN DAYTONA, FLORIDA. |  | $4,250 |
| 340 | Post Office Dept., 1874, 3¢ black (die PD5, watermark 5, size 10, knife 54). Unsealed entire with printed "M.O.B. Canadian…Postmaster of the U.S. International Exchange Post Office at Detroit, Mich." return imprint at left, addressed to Kansas City, Mo. and canceled by "Detroit, Mich., Oct 18" duplex postmark, Very Fine and choice, with 2024 P.F. certificate. UPSS No. PD42.Scott No. UO8; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.THE UNIQUE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 3¢ BLACK ON WHITE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ENTIRE. The UPSS catalog only lists this entire in unused condition with no more than five examples in existence. These mint examples mainly appear to have a Registered Business imprint in the upper left corner. Other examples of this die all appear to have been printed on amber paper with a variety of watermarks and pre-printed formats from at least eight locations. This example, which is similar to an amber entire (watermark 4) illustrated in the UPSS with the same imprint, is on white paper and has the corresponding watermark 5. |  | $3,000 |
| Lot | Canadian Provinces & Canada | Estimate | |
| 341 | Postal Card, 1902, 1¢ black on buff, the "full-face McKinley". Unused card with preprinted Messrs. Booth, Dailey & Ivins address and instructions to tug boat captain on reverse, the so-called "garbage card", Very Fine.Scott No. UX17; $2,500. |  | $2,500 |
| 342 | Revenue, 1862, First Issue, 1¢ Playing Cards, imperf. Large part o.g., full attractively balanced margins, strong bold color, Very Fine and choice, only a few examples are known in mint condition, with 2008 P.F. & 2017 P.S.E. certificates, the latter Graded (VF 80).Scott No. R2a; $4,500 for used.CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1¢ PLAYING CARDS IMPERFORATE IN MINT ORIGINAL GUM CONDITION. |  | $4,500 |
| 343 | Wines, 1942, $1.44 yellow green & black, denomination omitted. Complete omission of value with portions of value printed diagonally on reverse, without gum as issued; light creasing from foldover, Very Fine.Scott No. RE147a; $2,750.ONE OF FOUR KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE 1942 $1.44 WINE ISSUE WITH DENOMINATION OMITTED. There are at least three mint examples of this rare error with one being in a pair with a partially omitted denomination. We also known of a used example (sold in our Washington 2006 sale for $3,500 hammer). |  | $2,750 |
| 344 | Hawaii, Revenue, 1894, 25¢ violet brown. Left margin single, o.g., never hinged, choice centering amid wide margins, rich vibrant color and wonderfully fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2023 P.F. certificate Graded (XF 90).Scott No. R10; $2,400.A CHOICE MINT NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 25¢ VIOLET BROWN REVENUE ISSUE. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (3.0MB). |  | $2,400 |
| 345 | Philippines, 1904, $5 dark green. O.g., never hinged, choice centering amid well balanced margins, intensely rich color, an Extremely Fine gem, a great rarity in never hinged condition, with only 746 issued there are only a very few obtainable in never hinged condition, with 1978 P.F. & 2001 Weiss certificates.Scott No. 239; $2,000.WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE, IF NOT THE FINEST NEVER HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES 1904 $5 MARSHALL ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. |  | $2,000 |
| 346 | Philippines, 1904, $5 dark green. Block of 4, horizontal guideline between stamps, o.g., hinge remnant at top, never hinged at bottom, attractive centering, rich deep color, Very Fine, with only 746 issue and only few multiples in existence.Scott No. 239; $5,600 for singles.A VERY RARE MINT ORIGINAL GUM BLOCK OF THE 1904 $5 MARSHALL ISSUE. |  2 | $5,600 |
| 347 | Philippines, Airmail, 1926, 16c Madrid-Manila Flight, violet overprint. Disturbed o.g., outstanding centering especially for this notoriously off centered issue, rich bright color; small laminated thin at lower right, Extremely Fine appearance, with only 300 issued, one of only a few examples with choice centering, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate.Scott No. C7; $3,250. |  2 | $3,250 |
| 348 | Philippines, Airmail, 1926, 16c Madrid-Manila Flight, red overprint. O.g., typical centering for this notoriously off-centered issue, strong color, Fine, a very presentable sound example of this rare key airmail issue, with only 100 issued, with 2024 P.S.E. certificate.Scott No. C8; $5,000. |  | $5,000 |
| 349 | Philippines, Special Delivery, 1907, 10¢ ultramarine, Bureau of Insular Affairs Special Printing. O.g., neatly hinged twice, well centered, strong bright color and very fresh, Very Fine.Scott No. E2A; $3,250.A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1907 10¢ SPECIAL DELIVERY SPECIAL PRINTING ISSUE. This comes from the 1907 Bureau of Insular Affairs Special Printing and was intended to supply requests for Philippine stamps, 100 of each denomination were prepared using the stamps on hand. This is the basis for the new Scott Catalogue listing, E2A, which is a different design than any regular-issue Philippines Special Delivery stamps. All known examples have a damaged transfer under the "N" of "Cents". |  | $3,250 |
| 350 | British Columbia & Vancouver Island, Dietz & Nelson's Express, B.C. & V. Blue circular handstamp tying 1865, 3d pale blue (7a) on U.S. 1864, 3¢ pink entire to New Westminster, B.C., matching "Collect" oval handstamp alongside, indicia initially canceled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Portland" oval date stamp, Wells Fargo black printed frank at top; entire with trivial small tear at bottom, Very Fine, ex-G. Wellburn.Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.A SCARCE CONJUNCTIVE DIETZ & NELSON'S AND WELLS FARGO & CO. EXPRESS USE FROM PORTLAND, OR. TO NEW WESTMINSTER VIA VICTORIA. Wells, Fargo Express letter from Oregon to Victoria, where letter transferred to Dietz & Nelson's Express for delivery in New Westminster, B.C., where 3d B.C. stamp was added and cover stamped "Collect". |  | $2,000 |
