The Curtis Collection: U.S. Back-of-Book and Possessions

**Special Delivery (Scott E1-E17)**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description
1	P	10c Blue, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E1P1). Die sunk on 217 x 138mm card, bright and fresh, Very Fine, ex Chesapeake (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 600.00 SOLD for $700.00 Will close during Public Auction
2	P	10c Blue, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E2P1). Die sunk on 212 x 138mm card, Very Fine, ex Chesapeake (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 750.00 SOLD for $700.00 Will close during Public Auction
3	P	10c Orange, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E3P1). Die sunk on 216 x 138mm card, bright color, Very Fine, ex Chesapeake (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 1,600.00 SOLD for $2,300.00 Will close during Public Auction
4	P	10c Blue, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E4P1). Die sunk on 200 x 150mm card, quite fresh, Very Fine, ex Chesapeake (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 550.00 SOLD for $475.00 Will close during Public Auction
5	P	20c Black, Special Delivery, Large Die Proof on India (E14P1). Die sunk on 200 x 150mm card, approved and signed by Harry S. New, blue control number 1326115 on reverse, card with trivial corner mounting bends, the proof itself is Very Fine and rare, ex Chesapeake (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 2,000.00 SOLD for $3,750.00 Will close during Public Auction
6		10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Bottom right corner imprint and plate no. 496 block of eight, stamps Mint N.H., two h.r. in selvage only, well-centered, deep rich color VERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 1885 FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) are extremely rare in plate block form. We believe the 1885 Issue, E1, is the rarest of the group with perhaps 5-7 known (including one pane). This plate block with all Mint N.H. stamps is easily one of the finest of the few extant. In addition, this is the only imprint and plate number block to appear in Power Search. Ex Todd and Wampler. With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 20,000.00 SOLD for $22,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
7		10c Blue, Special Delivery (E1). Neatly cancelled, deep intense color and impression, huge margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $350.00), two share this grade and two grade higher (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 80.00 SOLD for $550.00 Will close during Public Auction
8		10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Original gum, beautiful centering and almost perfectly balanced margins, choice color and clear impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00) (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 500.00 SOLD for $1,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
9		10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Top right corner imprint and plate no. 552 block of ten, comprising the top two rows of the right pane, original gum, stamps not hinged but some reinforced perf separations between positions 8 and 9 (tiny piece of margin reattached there at bottom), rich color, wide margins with intact perfs at bottom and beautifully centered, natural inclusion top right stamp VERY FINE AND CHOICE LARGE FORMAT IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 1888 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. Each of the first four Special Delivery Issues (E1-E4) is rare in plate block form. There are perhaps ten known of the 1888 Issue, E2. Scott Retail as hinged plate block and singles (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 18,500.00 SOLD for $15,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
10		10c Blue, Special Delivery (E2). Top imprint and plate no. 552 block of eight, lightly hinged, some rejoined and separated perfs, sealed tear in position 6, Fine-Very Fine appearance, a presentable and more affordable example of this rare plate block (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 17,500.00 SOLD for $10,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
11		10c Orange, Special Delivery (E3). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, gum crease visible on front in cross-lighting (not mentioned on accompanying certificates), still Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00), this is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	$ 300.00 SOLD for $800.00 Will close during Public Auction