The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps, Part Three: 1902-34 Issues, Back continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 2-CENT BROWN POSTAGE DUE ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.

With 1992 P.F. certificate for a strip of four and 1995 P.F. certificate (Image)

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FINE. A WONDERFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 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. As an indication of rarity, we have sold only three others in Mint N.H. condition.

With 1976 and 1995 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 2-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE.

As noted in the description for the 1c Special Printing, the reported sale figures for the 1c, 2c and 3c Postage Due Special Printings probably include orders filled with regular stamps. The 2c is one of the rarest of the set.

Ex Lessin. With 1966, 1980 and 2002 P.F. certificates (Image)

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A VERY FINE AND BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING, WHICH IS POSSIBLY THE RAREST OF ALL THE POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. THE COMBINATION OF ORIGINAL GUM AND SOUND CONDITION MAKES THIS STAMP ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.

Although 436 copies were reported sold, it is believed that 100 copies were destroyed in the Calman lot. A thorough search of the marketplace, combined with conversations with dealers and collectors, has confirmed the extreme rarity of this stamp.

A review of Power Search reveals that this is the eighth example we have sold in the last ten years. Of the other seven, only one is sound with full original gum. The other six examples have been either without gum or had faults. This sound, finely centered copy with original gum should be considered one of the most desirable of all.

Signed in pencil J.M. Bartels. With 2006 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

It has been estimated that only 249 of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.

With 1968 and 2005 P.F. certificates (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

It has been estimated that no more than 174 examples of the 10c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.

With 1995 P.F. certificate (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT 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 these with original gum are faulty. This superb example, with its superior centering and remarkable freshness is a true condition rarity.

Ex Zoellner and Floyd. With 1992 and 2001 P.F. certificates (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. WONDERFUL CHOICE CONDITION FOR THE RARE 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

It has been estimated that no more than 179 examples of the 50c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.

With 1979, 1998 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85) (Image)

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