263 |
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$2.00 Orange Red & Black
(523). Mint N.H., brilliant colors as fresh as the day it was printed,
mathematically perfect alignment of vignette and frame, perfectly centered
with unusually wide margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT
NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE,
WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS
GRADED HIGHER. The $2.00 and $5.00 1918 Issue are the first bi-colored
dollar-denominated postage stamps issued by the United States. Both were
released just three months after the famous 1918 24c Inverted Jenny, but
the early printings were issued in small quantities, since stocks of the
1902 $2.00 and $5.00 1917 issue were still on hand. According to Johl,
the $2.00 Orange Red & Black was a color error on the part of the Bureau of
Engraving & Printing. The official description and order for the bi-color
stamps specified "Red and Black" for the $2.00. When subsequent printings
appeared in 1920 and philatelists brought the matter to the attention of
the Bureau, they were told "this stamp has always been this color" (Johl,
p. 306). From studies of Bureau and Post Office records, it is clear that
the originally-intended color was not issued until November 1920 (Scott
547), and that the earlier Orange Red stamps were mistakes. The quantity
issued has been variously estimated at between 47,000 and 68,000. With
1994 and 2000 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ $8,000.00).
Only two others have achieved this grade, and only one has graded higher.
(Image) |
1,300.00
SOLD for $9,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
264 |
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$5.00 Deep Green & Black
(524). Mint N.H., deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright
paper, remarkably choice centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely
Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1998 P.F. certificate (Image) |
425.00
SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction |