Prices of US Stamps Scott Cat. # 360 – 1909 4c George Washington Bluish Paper. Page 1

USA (Scott 360) 1909 WASHINGTON 4¢ ORANGE BROWN BLUISH PAPER MINT never hinged, a couple of gum skips at bottom (one into stamp). Rare stamp not regularly issued. Very fine. Cat value $80000.

Regency-Superior, Aug 2015, Sale 112, Lot 746

United States 1909 Bluish Paper 1909 4c orange brown, small h.r., reasonably well centered for this difficult stamp, with 1972 (clear) and 2015 PFCs, the latter stating “reperforated at right,”

Cherrystone Auctions, Jul 2015, Sale 201507, Lot 2129

4c Orange Brown, Bluish (Scott 360). Rich color and proof-like impression, characteristic strong watermark FRESH AND FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off center to some extent. With 1971 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2015, Sale 1096, Lot 605

4c Orange Brown, Bluish (Scott 360). Beautiful rich color and sharp proof-like impression, nearly perfect centering which is virtually unheard-of on this rare issue, small trivial natural fiber inclusion at left EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE 4-CENT BLUISH PAPER, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT BLUISH PAPERS TO FIND IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION. According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off center to some extent. Ex Peyton (Isleham) and Zoellner. Owner’s small purple backstamp. With 1986 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Feb 2015, Sale 1093, Lot 162

*    4¢ orange brown, bluish paper (Scott 360), exceptionally fresh with bright rich color, sharp impression, original gum lightly hinged, Fine, SMQ $10,500 (photo). $27,500 A MOST ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE 4¢ BLUISH PAPER. Expertization: 1991 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. Certificates, the latter graded Fine 70. The 4¢ and 8¢ values on bluish paper were never issued to the public. One pane of 100 of each was kept for the Post Office archives and the rest destroyed. Over the years 80-90 of each were given to private collectors in exchange for other stamps needed for the national collection.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2014, Sale 350, Lot 509

4c Orange Brown, Bluish (Scott 360). Selvage at bottom, intense shade on blued paper, attractive margins and centering VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off center to some extent. Small blue backstamp and signed in pencil “RHW Co” (Raymond H. Weill). With 1970 and 1992 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2013, Sale 1062, Lot 540

1909, 4¢ orange brown, bluish paper (360), o.g., lightly hinged, among the nicest obtainable examples of this extremely rare stamp, with fabulous color and detailed impression, a premium quality stamp that would enhance any great collection, Very Fine, approximately 80 are known to exist, 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott $27,500. Estimate price $20,000 – 30,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Dec 2013, Sale 640, Lot 330

1909, 4¢ orange brown, bluish paper (360), o.g., lightly hinged, extremely handsome example of this incredibly rare 4 cent bluish paper, with outstanding rich color; this stamp ranks up there with the other great rarities of philately, a completely sound and choice stamp, Fine to Very Fine, fewer than 100 examples are known to exist, 1967 and 2013 P.F. certificates. Scott $27,500. Estimate $15,000 – 20,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Sep 2013, Sale 639, Lot 3470

4c Orange Brown, Bluish (Scott 360). Lightly hinged, intense shade on deeply blued paper, detailed impression A VERY FINE AND FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off center to some extent. With 1994 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1731

1909, 4¢ orange brown, bluish paper (Scott 360), o.g., lightly hinged, sensational example of this rarely offered stamp – the notoriously difficult 4¢ bluish paper, with impressive centering, vibrant rich color, and outstanding eye appeal, certainly among the nicest centered of the approximately 80 examples that were released from Post Office department archives, which were traded for missing stamps from the archives collection, a sterling showpiece deserving placement in a collection of distinction, and certainly one of the highlights of the Weston collection, Very Fine, 1980 P.F. certificate. Scott $27,500. Estimate price $15,000 – 20,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Feb 2013, Sale 634, Lot 228

4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Block of four, rich color on nicely blued paper, top left stamp tiny natural inclusion by ear, few gum soaks affect perfs towards center, few perf separations at top not mentioned on accompanying certificate FINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL 20TH CENTURY MULTIPLES. During the early stages of production of the 1908-09 Washington-Franklin stamps, the Bureau tried to solve the problem of paper shrinkage that caused off-center perforations and resulted in a large number of unusable sheets. Armstrong notes that up to twenty percent of sheets had to be discarded. The first such experiments resulted in the Bluish Paper stamps (Scott 357-366). Rag cloth was added to the wood pulp mixture, but this did not have the desired effect and the experiment was discontinued. According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off-center to some extent. Our Levi records contain a half-dozen blocks of four (none larger), but several of these may have been broken up — the Levi records on three are from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Ex Colonel Green and Grunin. With copy of 1972 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2012, Sale 1037, Lot 2007

1909, 4¢ orange brown, bluish paper (360), quite well centered for the 4¢ with deep, rich color and lightly hinged original gum; exceptionally fresh and Very Fine. Scott $27,500 A LOVELY FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4¢ BLUISH PAPER, FAR BETTER CENTERED THAN MOST. Expertization: 1998 PSE, 1974 & 2001 PF Certificates. Provenance: Gorham. The 4¢ and 8¢ values on bluish paper were never issued to the public. One pane of 100 of each was kept for the Post Office archives and the rest destroyed. Over the years 80-90 of each were given to private collectors in exchange for other stamps needed for the national collection.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 331

4c Orange Brown, Bluish (360). Block of four, lightly hinged, bright shade on nicely blued paper FINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR — THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. THIS IS THE FIRST BLOCK WE HAVE OFFERED IN DECADES. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL 20TH CENTURY MULTIPLES. During the early stages of production of the 1908-09 Washington-Franklin stamps, the Bureau tried to solve the problem of paper shrinkage that caused off-center perforations and resulted in a large number of unusable sheets. Armstrong notes that up to twenty percent of sheets had to be discarded. The first such experiments resulted in the Bluish Paper stamps (Scott 357-366). Rag cloth was added to the wood pulp mixture, but this did not have the desired effect and the experiment was discontinued. According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off-center to some extent. Our Levi records contain a half-dozen blocks of four (none larger), but several of these may have been broken up — the Levi records on three are from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Ex “Country Gentleman” (Siegel Sale 422, November 29, 1972) and offered to the market for the first time since that sale. With unfolded 1973 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 215

4c Orange Brown, Bluish (Scott 360). Rich color on deeply blued paper, narrow h.r. at top, three extra wide margins VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND UNUSUALLY WIDE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4c and 8c Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off-center to some extent. With 2011 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 494

1909, 4¢ orange brown, bluish paper (360), deep color and barely hinged original gum, couple tiny natural paper inclusions, reperforated at left; fresh and otherwise about Fine. Scott price $27,500 AN ATTRACTIVE AND MORE AFFORDABLE EXAMPLE OF THIS 20TH CENTURY RARITY. The 4¢ and 8¢ values on bluish paper were never issued to the public. One pane of 100 of each was kept for the Post Office archives and the rest destroyed. Over the years, 80-90 of each were used to exchange for other stamps needed for the national collection.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 425