2014 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. THE UNIQUE PLATE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 16-CENT RED & BLUE AIR POST SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.

The Datz book states that 10 pairs are reported. In addition to being the unique plate block, the margins are wider on this block than on the three other multiples of three or larger we have encountered (two blocks of four and strip of three) (Image)

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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 $14,000.00 as 95, $33,000.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher and no others share this grade. (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 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 2014 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT VERMILION 1894 POSTAGE DUE. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXISTING EXAMPLES OF THIS ALWAYS DIFFICULT STAMP.

At the time the Bureau of Engraving and Printing issued this stamp they were struggling with problems with adequately perforating the stamps. That makes this issue, as well as the regular issues (Scott 246-263), often difficult to find in such choice condition. This stamp should be considered a true condition rarity.

With 2013 P.F. certificate, as well as a 2013 P.S.A.G graded certificate (Superb 98). It is worth noting that in the P.S.E. Population Report (only for P.S.E. graded stamps) the highest grade recorded to date is XF-Superb 95J) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.

With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,250.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and is shared by just one other (Image)

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VERY FINE. A RARE SET OF COMPLETE SHEETS OF TEN OF THE DOLLAR-VALUE STATE DEPARTMENT PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA.

The dollar-value State Department issues were printed in sheets of ten with black imprint and both color plate numbers at top and with green imprint at bottom. The set sold in our 2013 Rarities sale was the only set on India paper known to us prior to receiving this consignment.

The sheets on India are unlisted in Scott. The sheets on card are priced at $20,000.00 for a set. As an indication of relative scarcity, a set of singles on India catalogues $400.00 versus $140.00 for a set of singles on card. (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ISSUE WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINT. ONLY 32 WERE SOLD.

The Officials with "Specimen" overprint were made in 1875 at the same time as the other Reprints, Re-Issues and Special Printings. They were issued without gum. Probably due to their official nature they received the "Specimen" overprint -- most other series issued at the same time (Scott 123-132, 167-177, 180-181) were valid for postage.

Only 32 sold. With 2001 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

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