The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps continued...

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE SOUND AND WELL-CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 10-CENT BROWN POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN CHOICE CONDITION.

Collectors waiting for a Mint N.H. example may have a long wait -- we have not offered one during the 14 years of our computerized record-keeping. This hinged copy is among the two or three finest we have offered.

Ex Scarsdale. With 1996 P.S.E. and 2000 P.F. certificates. (Image)

FINE. A WONDERFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ONE-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

The 1c, 2c and 3c are undoubtedly the rarest values of the American Bank Note Co. Postage Due Special Printings, although the sold quantities in the official records are relatively high. William E. Mooz, in an article on the 1c appearing in Chronicle No. 170, May 1996, offers evidence to support his theory that the actual number of true Special Printings sold was significantly lower than the reported figures. For the 1c, Mooz estimates 500 sold, but it is possible that as many as 400 purchased by G. B. Calman were destroyed. It is widely accepted that nearly 9,000 1c stamps sold as Special Printings were actually regular issues.

As an indication of rarity, we have only sold two others in Mint N.H. condition. The most recent, with similar centering, realized $35,000 hammer in our 2005 Rarities sale.

With 1994 P.S.E. and 2005 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING, WHICH IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH BEAUTIFUL CONDITION.

As noted in the description of lot 562, the reported sale figures for the 1c, 2c and 3c Postage Due Special Printings probably include orders filled with regular stamps. The 2c is one of the rarest of the set, especially in this sound and centered original-gum condition.

With 1970 and 1995 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT IS POSSIBLY THE RAREST OF THE POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS, AND IS EXTREMELY RARE IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.

Although 436 copies were reported sold, it is believed that 100 copies were destroyed in the Calman lot. A thorough search of the marketplace, combined with conversations with dealers and collectors, has confirmed the extreme rarity of this stamp.

This is the sixth example we have sold in the last five years. The other five are the Zoellner copy (original gum, inclusion, poorly centered), the Drucker copy (no gum, poorly centered), a third copy (original gum, reperfed at top), a fourth copy (part original gum, small crease), and a fifth copy (no gum and sound). This sound and centered copy should be considered very desirable.

With 1950 and 1995 P.F. certificates (Image)

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

It has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.

Ex Cole. Signed in pencil H R & Co.. With 1946 and 1988 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 10-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

It has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.

With 1953 and 1995 P.F. certificates (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT 30-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 30c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. The vast majority of these with original gum are faulty. This superb example, with its superior centering and remarkable freshness is a true condition rarity.

With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)