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

VERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF THREE OF THE 10-CENT 1894 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.

The Scott Catalogue does not price this scarce multiple in Mint N.H. condition. A hinged strip is priced at $4,000.00. Scott Retail as three Mint N.H. singles (Image)

VERY 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.

With 1995 P.S.E. and 2004 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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 of lot 382, 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, especially in this superb original-gum condition.

With 1971 A.P.S. and 2005 P.F. certificates. (Image)

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)

FINE AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT POSTAGE DUE SPECIAL PRINTING.

It has been estimated that no more than 249 examples of the 5c Postage Due Special Printing reached the public.

With 2002 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE 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 2005 P.F. certificate (Image)

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.

With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT VERMILION 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE POSTAGE DUE.

With 2005 P.F. certificate (Image)

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 1914 50-CENT POSTAGE DUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL POSTAGE DUE STAMPS.

With 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)