2011 Rarities of the World continued...

VERY FINE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF THE 10-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE WITH TWO MINT N.H. STAMPS.

Only one plate number was used for this issue -- Plate 77. Less than a half-dozen full plate blocks are known. This imprint and plate number strip of three, in sound condition and with two Mint N.H. stamps, should be considered very desirable.

With 2010 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as Mint N.H. and hinged singles (Image)

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FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 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 1995 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND EXTREMELY RARE PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 10-CENT 1884 RED BROWN POSTAGE DUE.

With 2001 P.F. certificate. As an indication of rarity, Scott Catalogue assigns almost a 100% premium for the plate block versus the price of twelve singles. (Image)

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A VERY FINE AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP TO FIND IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.

As an indication of rarity, the Zoellner collection contained a hinged example, because years of searching failed to uncover a suitable Mint N.H. copy. We have offered only six Mint N.H. examples since keeping computerized records.

Ex Whitman. With 1993 and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (Fine 70, SMQ $2,100.00) (Image)

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VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1894 POSTAGE DUE ISSUE IN THE DEEP CLARET SHADE

The 50c 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Postage Due Issue is notorious for its typically poor centering. The combination of centering and pristine never-hinged gum makes this example very desirable. We have offered only four other Mint N.H. singles since keeping computerized records.

With 2004 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Fine-Very Fine 75, SMQ $2,400.00) (Image)

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VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE SET OF THE U.S. POST OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE, EACH CANCELLED ON THE LAST DAY THE U.S. POST OFFICE IN CHINA WAS OPEN FOR SERVICE. A REMARKABLE SET.

The U.S. Post Office in China closed on Dec. 31, 1922. We have seen cancels struck on this last day, but we have never offered a complete set with the full strike of the duplex cancel (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE $10.00 STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUE.

Only three sheets of ten and one other block of four are known. Scott Retail as block of four with no premium for the plate no. and imprint selvage (Image)

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