Cost of US Stamps Scott Cat. #E6: 1902 10c Special Delivery Messenger on Bicycle. Page 6

10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (Scott E6). Mint N.H., with top plate no. 5243-09 and small part of imprint, well-centered with bright color, Very Fine and choice, the “09” was added to identify the 1909 printing for stamp collectors, with 1998 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 2151

10c Blue, Special Delivery (Scott E6a). Bottom imprint and plate no. 5244-09 pair, rich color and detailed impression, Fine position pair of this desirable shade

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 972, Lot 3402

10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (Scott E6). Mint N.H., bottom sheet margin with small part of imprint, perfectly centered, post-office fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 972, Lot 3401

10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (E6). Mint N.H. with plate no. 1776 and wide selvage at top, brilliant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering with unusually wide margins on all sides 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 TO DATE. 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 $230.00 unused), 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 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced above the grade of 98 in SMQ, SMQ value $14,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this desirable grade. One has been graded Superb 98, and two have been graded 95.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 5078

10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (Scott E6). Mint N.H., nicely centered, Very Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 5079

10c Ultramarine, Special Delivery (Scott E6). Well-centered, fresh color, lightly hinged, Extremely Fine, unusually nice for this difficult stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85, SMQ price $310.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2979

Special Delivery, 1902, 10¢ ultramarine (E6), well centered with wide margins, bright and fresh. Fresh original gum, never hinged. Very Fine to Extremely Fine. Scott value $525 Expertization: 2002 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Apr 2008, Sale 326, Lot 596

Special Delivery, 1902, 10¢ ultramarine (E6), marvelous centering, deep prooflike color and impression, bright paper, original gum, never hinged, choice Extremely Fine. Scott price $525

Matthew Bennett International, Apr 2008, Sale 326, Lot 595

Special Delivery, 1902, 10¢ ultramarine (E6), top plate block of 6, crisp perforations, o.g., Fine to Very Fine. Scott price $3,250

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2007, Sale 325, Lot 2399

Special Delivery, 1902, 10¢ ultramarine (E6), virtually perfectly centered, with enormous margins, brilliant color. O.g., lightly hinged. Extremely Fine. SMQ $455. Scott $200 Expertization: 2006 P.S.E. Certificate graded XF-Superb 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Jun 2007, Sale 319, Lot 1618