2005 Rarities of the World, Part One continued...

VERY FINE AND CHOICE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT 1911 PERF 12 HORIZONTAL COIL.

This 2c coil was in production for only a short period of time before being superseded by the Perf 8-1/2 issue.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.

With 1968, 1987 and 2004 P.F. certificates (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 3-CENT ORANGEBURG COIL ON A FRESH COVER. ONLY TWELVE ORANGEBURG COIL COVERS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.

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 their products to physicians. Due to the quantity of mail, they 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.

With 1970 and 2001P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT ORANGE YELLOW PERF 12 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE. REMARKABLE FOR ITS FRESH GUM, BRIGHT COLOR, CENTERING, AND INTACT PERFORATIONS.

Ex Silver Lake. With 1985 and 1991 P.F. certificates which state that "it is genuine" (Mint N.H.) and with 2004 P.F. certificate. (Image)

FRESH AND VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USE OF THE 10-CENT PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE WITH THE 10-GAUGE PERFORATIONS.

According to Johl, Scott 404 was the last of the series to be issued. The Panama-Pacific stamps had been in use for a period of over two years, and the Perf 10 issue was not publicized. (Image)

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS ESSAY FOR THE HEAD OF FRANKLIN IS LIKELY UNIQUE. A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION PIECE.

This essay is noteworthy as an early impression of the design, in which the background is completely blank.

Listed but unpriced in Scott. (Image)

A FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARITY -- THIS IS THE ONLY IMPERFORATE BOOKLET PANE IN U.S. PHILATELY.

This unusual error was first discovered in 1968. Despite the numbers reported, these do not appear on the market with any frequency -- the last example we offered was in our Sale 826 in September 2000.

With 1968 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE RARE TYPE I ROTARY PRESS VERTICAL COIL.

The 2c Type I rotary plate was used very briefly to make vertical coils issued in December 1915. It was superseded in February 1916 by the Type III plate. The early printing of the 2c rotary vertical coil was almost completely overlooked by contemporary collectors and dealers, who did not anticipate further production of vertical coils.

With 1988 and 1993 P.F. certificates. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM SINGLE OF THE 1915 TYPE I VERTICAL COIL..

With 2005 P.F. certificate (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE PERF 10 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK $1.00 FRANKLIN IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE, AND IS GRADED XF-SUP 95. A REMARKABLE CONDITION RARITY.

Even though this issue is not particularly rare, collectors who have been searching know the extremely difficulty obtaining examples with such perfect centering and in such pristine condition.

With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-SUP 95) (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT PERF 10 UNWATERMARKED 1916-17 ISSUE ISSUE IS SURELY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. A REMARKABLE PLATE BLOCK.

A search of past auction catalogues has failed to find the equal of this block. We have only found hinged plate blocks, and of these almost none are from the desirable top position.

With 1999 P.F. certificate. (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 2-CENT TYPE II PERF 10 HORIZONTAL COIL ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.

With 1956 and 2005 P.F. certificates. (Image)