2017 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE IS A NOTORIOUSLY CHALLENGING ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN THIS SUPERIOR GRADE -- P.S.E. HAS GRADED THIS STAMP XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO.

The 1894 series, being the first printed by the Bureau, encountered many production problems. Most stamps were poorly centered and have small margins.

With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $18,300.00). Only one has graded higher and no others share this grade. (Image)

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FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1879 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.

With 1980 P.F. certificate. Pencil notations on back (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1879 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

The reported sale figures for the rare 1c, 2c and 3c Postage Due Special Printings probably include orders filled with regular stamps, as all three are far rarer than the reported sales numbers would suggest. This is rarely offered in sound, centered condition.

With 1999 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. THE 3-CENT IS THE RAREST OF THE 1879 POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. THIS IS THE FINEST SOUND, ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.

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 in any condition. Of the fewer than ten examples we have offered since keeping computerized records, only two others are sound with original gum. This superb stamp has the finest centering of the three.

Ex Engel. With 1960, 1999 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Image)

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FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1879 3-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS THE RAREST POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.

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.

With 1970 P.F. certificate (Image)

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FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1879 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

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

With 1994 P.F. certificate. Small backstamp (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS 1879 POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING RARITY.

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

With 1990 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 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 surviving original-gum examples are faulty.

With 1959 and 2014 P.F. certificates (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public. Many are faulty to some degree.

With 1995 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE 1914 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL POSTAGE DUE STAMPS.

Scott No. J58 has the highest catalogue value of any regularly issued Postage Due stamp. Only the 1c, 2c and 3c Special Printings, Scott Nos. J8 - J10, catalogue higher. This stamp is a key to any meaningful collection of the Postage Due issues.

Ex Whitman. With 1983 and 1995 P.F. certificates not mentioning reperfing (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1916 ONE-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED POSTAGE DUE ISSUE.

The Postage Due stamps on unwatermarked paper were perforated with 10-gauge pins for a brief time. Well-centered original-gum examples are exceedingly rare.

With 1995 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Image)

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