Shreves Philatelic Galleries, Inc. Sale

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United States Plate Blocks continued...

1916-1917 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ISSUES continued...

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

161

473

#473, 11c Dark green, a superb full top margin plate no. 7498 block of six, with each stamp within the plate being flawlessly centered amid very large margins, sumptuously rich color and a deeply etched impression, strong and intact, o.g., five stamps n.h., bottom center stamp with just the barest trace of hinging (if at all), extremely fine; it is hard to imagine that a better centered full top example exists. (Image)

$360.00

SOLD for $1,300.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

162

475

#475, 15c Gray, a magnificent quality full top margin plate no. 6809 block of six, featuring an impressive overall freshness, with deep luxuriant color and a well incised impression on bright paper, its perforations are especially strong and intact, outstanding centering throughout the plate, immaculate o.g. without any of the typical flat plate gum bends or skips, n.h., extremely fine; according to our records, only two premium quality never hinged full top examples of this rare plate block have appeared on the auction market in the past four decades, the other was offered in our April 1998 auction of the Dr. J. Paul Wampler collection, and while in exceptional condition, it is not as well centered as the one found in the Fogelson collection; the Wampler example realized $8,800.00 (including premium) versus a then catalog value of $3,900.00. (Image)

$5,250.00

SOLD for $13,500.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

163

476A

#476A, 30c Orange red, the extremely rare unwatermarked, perforated 10 issue, the unique full top margin plate no. 6911 block of six, fabulously bright and fresh, featuring incredibly intense and vibrant color, plus its impression is razor sharp on brilliantly white paper, strong and fully intact perforations, possessing far better centering than typically encountered (particularly the bottom row) as this stamp is notorious for being found quite poorly centered, often with its perforations cutting into the design, immaculate o.g., n.h., very fine. The reason for the existence of the Thirty Cent perforated 10 stamp on unwatermarked paper is attributed to a period of transition from single line watermarked paper to unwatermarked paper - at which time there was a similar transition from perf. 10 gauge issues to perf. 11 gauge issues. Official Bureau records do not specifically identify a printing of the Thirty Cent value on unwatermarked paper that was perforated 10. However, in the past 90 years two panes of 100 each (200 stamps in all) have surfaced - both of which have been certified - clearly attesting to the existence of such a variety. Thus creating one of the rarest stamps in all of United States philately. The first pane that was discovered was a bottom right pane from plate 6917. The second discovered pane was a top right pane from plate 6911. The plate block presented here is from the top position of the plate 6911 pane.Of the four recorded plate blocks, the example offered here from the Fogelson collection is the only top position example - the most highly prized position available. Without question, this plate block is one of the greatest rarities in United States philately and is, along with the #477 full top plate offered in the next lot, one of the two "keys" for anyone attempting to assemble what will ultimately be regarded as the most comprehensive collection of full top plate blocks ever formed. In our opinion, the value quoted in the Scott catalog for a plate block is completely irrelevant and bears no relationship to its true market value. For example, six never hinged singles (in fine condition) catalog $34,500.00 alone, giving a miniscle $5,500.00 premium for a plate block. Plus, the true market value for singles in premium condition (like those found in the bottom row of this plate block) far exceeds their catalog value. With only four plate blocks available - among the 200 stamps discovered - a more accurate catalog value for any #476A plate block should well exceed $100,000.00, before any premium is added for a full top example. Accompanied by a 1984 PF certificate. (Image)

for fine $40,000.00

SOLD for $125,000.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

164

477

#477, 50c Light violet, an incomparable full top margin plate no. 7049 block of six, fabulously bright and fresh, rich luxuriant color and an excellent clarity of impression on bright white paper, wonderfully well centered, even its sheet margin is extra-wide contributing further to this plate block's extraordinary eye appeal, pristine o.g., never hinged, extremely fine.Plate blocks of the 1917 Fifty Cent Light Violet on unwatermarked paper rank among the rarest and most desired of all plate blocks in United States philately. It has been estimated that only ten such plate blocks exist. However, among this minute population, the example offered here from the Fogelson collection is the only top position example available - making this the rarest and most desirable plate block in United States philately.Like the #476A plate block offered in the previous lot, the catalog value quoted in Scott does not accurately represent the true market value of this spectacular plate block. The current catalog value of $57,500.00 has not materially changed since the sale of the last #477 plate block to appear on the auction market, which was in April 1998 when Shreves Philatelic Galleries had the pleasure of offering the remarkable collection of U.S. plate number blocks formed by Dr. J. Paul Wampler. While the Wampler example was attractive, it was a bottom sheet margin example (short selvage) that had been lightly hinged on two stamps. Nevertheless, it attracted spirited bidding and realized a record $56,100.00 (including premium) versus a then current catalog value of $40,000.00. Now with the appearance of the only full top example, not to mention being never hinged and being in premium condition, we fully expect that a brand new record will be established - quite likely eclipsing the Wampler realization by a considerable margin - and deservedly so. Accompanied by a 1989 PSE certificate; ex-Stearns-Dockweiler. (Image)

for hinged $57,500.00

SOLD for $145,000.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

165

478

#478, $1.00 Violet black, a magnificent quality full top margin imprint, letter "A" and plate no. 5782 block of six, being one of the very finest available of this major plate block rarity, boasting an incredible overall freshness, with strikingly intense color and a razor-sharp impression on the most pristine paper imaginable, completely intact and strong perforations, extraordinarily well centered, in fact this possesses far better centering than the two previous #478 plate blocks which have appeared on the market in the past ten years (ex-Wampler in 1998, short bottom margin plate block centered a bit to bottom; ex-"Silver Lake" in 2003, full top margin example centered to left), pristine o.g., five stamps n.h., bottom right stamp with just the faintest suggestion of a hinge mark (if at all), extremely fine; a marvelous addition to an advanced collection of United States plate blocks; ex-Brand. (Image)

$13,000.00

SOLD for $25,000.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

166

479

#479, $2.00 Dark blue, pristine full top margin plate no. 8015 block of six, wonderfully fresh and intact, deep luxuriant color and impression, well centered, immaculate o.g., n.h., very fine; a choice example of this rare plate block, especially desirable with full top sheet selvage and being never hinged; 1981 PF certificate. (Image)

$6,500.00

SOLD for $16,000.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

167

480

#480, $5.00 Light green, a matchless quality full top margin plate no. 8016 block of six, without question being the finest quality example of this rare and popular plate block to appear on the market in years, boasting extraordinary physical attributes, including essentially perfect centering, glorious prooflike color and impression on brilliantly fresh paper, strong and intact perforations all around, even its sheet selvage is unusually wide, o.g., n.h., extremely fine and quite striking. (Image)

$5,000.00

SOLD for $12,500.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

168

481

#481, 1c Green imperforate, experimental electrolytic plate printing, wonderfully choice full top margin plate no. 13376 block of six, with this particular plate number (and 13377) being unique to this seldom seen experimental printing, sumptuously rich color, large margins all around, o.g., four stamps n.h., two center stamps lightly hinged, extremely fine; a plate block which is seldom offered at auction, particularly as a full top. (Image)

$375.00

SOLD for $700.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

169

484

#484, 3c Violet, Ty. II, imperforate, full top margin plate no. 8364 block of six, featuring a lavishly large sheet selvage, plus the other three margins are quite huge and well balanced, especially deep rich color, o.g., n.h., extremely fine; a gem plate block. (Image)

$145.00

SOLD for $500.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

170

485

#485, 2c Carmine from the 5c Carmine imperforate error sheet, full top margin plate no. 7942 block of six, this being the particular plate that produced the rare 5c Carmine transfer roll error, wonderfully bright and fresh, large margins, o.g., n.h., extremely fine. (Image)

$220.00

SOLD for $625.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

1917-1919 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN COILS

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

171

500

#500, 2c Deep rose, Ty. Ia, full top margin plate no. 10280 block of six, a wonderfully fresh example of this very scarce plate block, bright deep rose color distinctive only to Ty. Ia stamps, strong and intact, nicely centered, o.g., faintly hinged, nearly very fine for this; full top sheet margin examples of this plate block are terribly challenging to find. (Image)

$2,100.00

SOLD for $1,600.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

172

501

#501, 3c Light violet, Ty. I, full top margin plate no. 8129 block of nine (3x3), exceptionally well centered and margined throughout, bright color, o.g., n.h., small owner's handstamp on reverse of center stamp, extremely fine. (Image)

$282.00+

SOLD for $525.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

173

502

#502, 3c Dark violet, Ty. II, gem top margin plate no. 8462 block of six, flawlessly centered and margined throughout, prooflike color and impression on bright fresh paper, strong and intact perforations, pristine o.g., n.h., extremely fine; a beautiful full top plate block. (Image)

$240.00

SOLD for $675.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

174

503

#503, 4c Brown, full top margin plate no. 13557 block of six, extraordinarily well centered, with each stamp featuring large balanced margins, sumptuously rich color, o.g., five stamps n.h., bottom left stamp barely hinged, few separated perfs. at top edge of sheet selvage, extremely fine and quite choice. (Image)

$130.00

SOLD for $240.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

175

504

#504, 5c Blue, handsome full top margin plate no. 8883 block of six, wonderfully well centered, deep luxuriant color, o.g., very lightly hinged, just a few separated perfs. at top edge of sheet selvage, extremely fine. (Image)

$125.00

SOLD for $240.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

176

506

#506, 6c Red orange, brilliantly fresh full top margin plate no. 12560 block of six, gorgeous vivid color and an unusually strong impression, fabulously well centered throughout, crisp and intact, pristine o.g., four stamps n.h., left two stamps barely hinged (if at all), extremely fine; a gem plate block that possesses tremendous eye appeal. (Image)

$170.00

SOLD for $450.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

177

507

#507, 7c Black, highly select full top margin plate no. F 12563 block of six, in far superior quality to any other we have ever offered, incredibly bright and fresh, deep rich color and impression, marvelously well centered, pristine o.g., n.h., extremely fine; actually quite elusive so choice. (Image)

$430.00

SOLD for $1,900.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

178

508

#508, 8c Olive bister, premium quality full top margin imprint, letter "A" and plate no. 5725 block of six, marvelously fresh and bright, strong rich color, exceptionally well centered, o.g., n.h., few separated perfs. at top of left vertical row of sheet selvage, extremely fine. (Image)

$285.00

SOLD for $325.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

179

508

#508, 8c Olive bister, full top margin plate no. 7740 block of six, strikingly intense color, outstanding centering throughout, even its sheet selvage is unusually wide, o.g., five stamps n.h., top center stamp very lightly hinged, extremely fine; an especially choice and desirable plate block. (Image)

$140.00

SOLD for $200.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM

180

509

#509, 9c Salmon red, full top margin plate no. F 12572 block of six, luxuriously rich color and a deeply etched impression, well centered, immaculate o.g., n.h., choice very fine. (Image)

$230.00

SOLD for $325.00
Closing..Feb-11, 05:00 PM