The Hanover Collection, Part 2: 20th Century and Back of Book Issues continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.

The first Special Delivery is easily distinguished from those that follow because the explanatory text at center is straight. In subsequent issues the text at center is altered. It is extremely difficult to obtain in sound, centered and Mint N.H. condition.

With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $35,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and no others share this grade. Only one other has graded above 95. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE SECOND SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE OF 1888, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.

With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $33,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded by far (next highest is 95) and this is the only example to achieve this grade (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1893 10-CENT SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.

The 10c Orange Special Delivery, Scott E3, is the only Special Delivery issue printed in this color. It was issued concurrently with the Columbian issue.

With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). This is scarce in the higher grades; by way of comparison, only one has graded higher than 95 in the P.S.E. Population Report, only four are awarded this grade by P.S.E. and only one other shares this grade at the P.F. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 10-CENT UNWATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE, SCOTT E4. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.

The 1894 series, being the first printed by the Bureau, encountered many production problems. Most stamps were poorly centered and have small margins. The example offered here is the exception. We are surprised this stamp did not receive a Jumbo designation.

With 1986, 1997 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95) (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.

With 1996 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1902 SERIES SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP, SCOTT E6, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS STANDS ALONE AS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

Scott E6 is the first of the "Messenger on Bicycle" Special Delivery designs. It was released as part of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's "Series of 1902" regular postage issues (Scott 300-313). Scott E6 is printed on double-line "USPS" watermarked paper with 12-gauge perforations. In 1908 the "Helmut of Mercury" Special Delivery stamp was issued. However, the Messenger on Bicycle design was re-issued in 1909 from new plates, and the same basic design was issued continuously until the Motorcycle Delivery design replaced it in 1922. Changes in the paper and perforation gauge for the issues from 1909 until 1922 mirror the changes in the Washington-Franklin series of the same period.

Scott E6 is not particularly scarce (it has a Scott value of $525.00 as Mint N.H.), but experienced collectors and professionals know that very few examples of the 1902 Issue exist with wide and balanced margins. The P.S.E. Population Report statistics support this statement, and a review of our auction records with Power Search provides visual confirmation. None of the stamps (singles or in blocks) in our database compare to this Mint N.H. Gem 100 example.

With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $17,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this desirable grade. One has been graded Superb 98, and four have graded 95, a statistic that has not changed in the past four years. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT E7, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.

With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,800.00). Only two have graded higher (both 100J) and only one other shares this desirable grade. In our opinion SMQ is too low -- although we have never offered this grade before in one of our auctions, we have sold one of the two 100 Jumbos before, for $8,500 hammer. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1914 10-CENT BLUE SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. THIS IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER AND NO OTHERS SHARE THIS GRADE.

With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $3,850.00). Only one has graded higher (at 100J) and none share this desirable grade. By way of comparison, the main shade, Scott E9, does not have any graded above 98. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE. A FANTASTIC STAMP.

Ex "Scarsdale". With 2002 P.F. certificate and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,200.00). (Image)

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