The Natalee Grace Collection of Used Stamps of the United States, Part Three continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB SOUND USED PAIR OF THE 1910 ONE-CENT SINGLE-LINE WATERMARK HORIZONTAL COIL, SCOTT 387. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN IN ANY CONDITION, AND THIS IS THE FINEST KNOWN.

According to Johl this was issued on the same day as the vertical coil, Scott 385, and was current for less than two months.

Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1989 and 2001 P.F. certificates. Undercatalogued in Scott -- this same example brought $2,300 in 2001. (Image)

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VERY FINE STRIP. THE UNIQUE USED GUIDE LINE MULTIPLE OF SCOTT 388. AN OUTSTANDING 20TH CENTURY RARITY.

This 2c coil was in production for only a short period of time before being superseded by the Perf 8-1/2 issue. Due to the greater popularity of the horizontal coils with users, combined with a wary attitude by many collectors that early coils were simply trimmed stamps, many were used and few preserved.

Approximately ten used pairs are known. After a thorough search of certificate records and auction catalogues, the only used guide line multiple we have been able to locate is this strip of four, which is specifically mentioned as being unique in Scott Catalogue.

Ex Hanschen and Twigg-Smith. With 1981 and 2001 P.F. certificates. Scott Catalogue notes "The used guide line pair of No. 388 is unique. It is the center pair in a strip of four. It is Fine-Very Fine and is valued thus." Scott Retail as guide line pair and two singles. (Image)

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FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY TWO USED MULTIPLES OF THE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL ARE RECORDED. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING 20TH CENTURY RARITIES.

The Orangeburg coil was made by the Post Office Department in 1911 specifically for use by the Bell Pharmaceutical Company. The 3c coil stamps were used to send samples of Bell products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, most were put through the first-class cancelling machine at Orangeburg, New York. The Orangeburg coil stamps' use on third-class mail, and the fact that philatelists were generally unaware of their production, accounts for their rarity. This strip of three was apparently used on a larger package from Bell Pharmaceuticals, and was hand-cancelled. The style of envelope is consistent with those seen on covers bearing Orangeburg coil singles.

Only two 3c Orangeburg used multiples are recorded: the strip of three offered here and another strip of three, centered sharply to bottom left, with tiny stain spots at top and top right and small closed tear at bottom left (ex Bissell and Hanschen, illustrated below). No used pairs and no used guide line pairs are known to exist.

Ex Twigg-Smith. Left stamp lifted to verify paste-up. With 1961, 1995 and 2001 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as pair and single (Image)

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