2012 Rarities of the World continued...

FINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1916 ONE-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.

This is the first used block we have offered since keeping computerized records. With 1965 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1930 30-CENT PERF 11 POSTAGE DUE.

We have offered only one other since keeping computerized records, which had perfs touching the design. (Image)

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FINE. A RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE ERROR.

The Offices in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing.

Top right and bottom left stamps with purple backstamp. Listed but unpriced in Scott as a block of four. Scott Retail as singles. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 OFFICES IN CHINA DOUBLE SURCHARGE WITH WIDE MARGINS.

The Office in China double surcharge error occurred during the overprinting of stamps for use at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai. It has been reported that the errors were among the last stamps to be put on sale before the agency closed on December 31, 1922. The Deputy Postal Agent, Mr. E. H. Murray, knew of the error but allowed it to be put on sale, as he was retiring and the Agency was closing. This stamp is far scarcer in used condition. Approximately six covers are known.

With 2012 P.S.A.G. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE. ONE OF NINE RECORDED 6-CENT POST OFFICE BISECTS ON FULL COVERS, OF WHICH ONLY SIX ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.

We record the following nine covers with the 6c Post Office bisect (all diagonal halves, as noted): C1) TR, Rockland Me. Jan. 6, to NYC, marked "British", ex Gibson, Starnes, the cover offered here, C2) TR, Rockland Me. Jan. 10, to NYC, marked "British", 1953 PFC, ex Ackerman, Ehrenberg, Markovits, C3) BL, Rockland Me. Jan. 10, to NYC, marked "British", 2003 PFC, ex Markovits, C4) BR, New York Mills NY Apr. 10, to Concord Mass, 1993 PFC, ex Hughes, Ward, Markovits, C5) TL, Galveston Tex. May 19 (1883?), intra-city address, 1978 PFC, ex Markovits, C6) TR, Rockland Me. Jan. 10, to NYC, Miller collection NYPL, C7) BR, Lockport NY Sep. 30, on 3c UO7 entire to Elmira NY, Miller collection NYPL, C8) TR, Shenandoah Va. Apr. 2, to NYC, Miller collection NYPL, and C9) BL, Rockland Me. Jan. 7, to NYC, ex Ehrenberg. In addition to complete covers, there are two pieces: P1) TL (see No. P2 for other half), Niagara Falls NY, Jun. 18, on 3c UO7 cut square, ex Markovits, P2) BR (see No. P1 for other half), Niagara Falls NY, Jun. 18, with 3c O49 on 6c UO12 cut square, ex Markovits. The Miller collection at The New York Public Library also contains two 3c UO7 cut squares with bisects of the 12c Post Office (both used from Lockport N.Y. on Nov. 28).

Ex Starnes and "Andromeda". With 2007 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $10.00 STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE, WITH THE BLACK PLATE NUMBER AT TOP AND WITH THREE MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.

Scott Retail as original gum block of four. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY REPORTED IMPRINT BLOCK OF THE 1879 ONE-CENT AGRICULTURE AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY PRINTING ON SOFT PAPER. A BLOCK OF FOUR IS ALSO THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.

In an effort by the Grant administration to stem the tide of postal abuse, stamps were issued in 1873 for the nine departments of the Executive branch. Stamps were issued to the various departments by the Post Office as needed, and an accounting was kept for budgeting purposes and for reimbursement of the Post Office Department.

The Agriculture Officials were printed from sheets of 100 consisting of one pane. In December 1878 Continental merged with American Bank Note Company, which assumed production for United States stamps early in 1879, including the Officials. As with the regular Bank Note issues, the Officials printed by American can be distinguished by the use of soft, porous paper. Philip Ward recorded only four blocks of four. This is the only one with selvage we were able to locate. A pair with plate number is also known.

Ex Weill and illustrated on the front cover of the December 14, 1989 Christie's catalogue. Offered to the market for the first time since that 1989 sale. With 1989 P.F. certificate. This is the first multiple we have offered since 1990. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1895 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.

With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $4,650.00 as 95, unpriced in SMQ as 98). Only two have been graded thus far and this stands alone as the highest grade awarded to date. This is also one of the finest we have ever encountered. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING HUGE MARGINED 50-CENT PARCEL POST STAMP WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.

The 50c and $1.00 stamps are the key values to the set of 1913 Parcel Post stamps and the 50c is regarded as the most challenging to find in superb condition. This stamp, with its wide margins and centering, would be a key addition to a superb collection of never-hinged stamps.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $7,000.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade. One has graded higher, at Gem 100, but the Jumbo margins on this example make it equally striking (Image)

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EXTREMLY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 PARCEL POST, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E..

With 1990 and 1993 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $8,250.00). Only two have graded higher to date (both 98J) and only four others share this grade. (Image)

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