Cost of US Stamps Scott Catalog 404: 1915 10c Panama-Pacific Exposition: Discovery of San Francisco Bay. Page 13

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Beautifully centered, gorgeous deep color, only the barest trace of hinging, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate (XF 90)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2009, Sale 982, Lot 5793

United States 1910-30 Issues 1915 10c orange, perf. 10, left margin plate no single, bright color, n.h. and post office fresh, fine, with 2005 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Nov 2009, Sale 200911, Lot 3122

United States 1910-30 Issues 1915 10c orange, perf. 10, h.r., fine, with 1979 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Nov 2009, Sale 200911, Lot 3121

U.S. General Issues, 1915, 10¢ Panama-Pacific, perf 10, #404. Slightly disturbed o.g., small thin, centered Very Fine. Scott $850. Estimate value $150.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2009, Sale 83, Lot 433

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Wide margins and attractive centering, lightly hinged, Very Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1998

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Deep rich color, attractively centered, Very Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1997

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Attractively centered, lightly hinged, deep rich color, Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1999

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Mint N.H. with right selvage, beautiful glowing color, Very Fine and choice, difficult to find in this post-office Mint N.H. condition, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1994

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Vibrant color on crisp paper, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1996

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Mint N.H., beautiful glowing color, fresh and Very Fine, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1995

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Block of four, rich color, Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 2001

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Lightly hinged, deep rich color, wide margins, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 2000

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (404). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6130 block of six with wide selvage, rich color as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering throughout, long and full perforations EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 10-CENT PERF 10 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE. The Panama-Pacific Exposition commemorative set was originally released in late 1912 and officially placed on sale on January 1, 1913, two years in advance of the actual exposition (the stamps are inscribed “San Francisco 1915”). The stamps were first issued with 12-gauge perforations. When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing changed to 10-gauge perforations in late 1914, sheets of Panama-Pacific stamps were issued in Perf 10 form. This modification was not officially announced or widely recognized by stamp collectors, therefore, the Perf 10 stamps are much scarcer than their Perf 12 counterparts. The 10c design depicts the “Discovery of San Francisco Bay,” based on a painting by Charles F. Mathews (Johl, Vol. 1, pp.69-70). It depicts the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola and his crew with the Muwekma Ohlone natives. In 1769 Portola led the first expedition and observed San Francisco harbor. In 1775 Juan Manuel de Ayala, captain of the Spanish ship San Carlos, was the first to enter the harbor, which led to the establishment of the earliest European settlements. The 10c was first issued in the standard Yellow used for the regular-issue 10c stamp, but the design was difficult to see in this shade (Scott 400). The stamp color was changed to a darker Orange and issued with 12-gauge perforations (Scott 400A). When the 10-gauge perforations were introduced, a much smaller supply was issued as Orange Perf 10 (Scott 404). The 10c Panama-Pacific Perf 10, Scott 404, typically comes poorly centered. It is also plagued by short perfs–for a reason. The wide-spaced 10-gauge perfs were introduced by postal officials to strengthen the sheets during handling. Postmasters complained that the Perf 12 sheets broke apart too easily, but the move to Perf 10 went too far, and postmasters then started complaining that they were tearing apart stamps while trying to separate them (Perf 11 ended up being just right). Scott 404 is also much scarcer than its Perf 12 counterparts, Scott 400 and 400A. Only two panes of 70 are reported to survive. We are aware of perhaps one other 10c Panama-Pacific Perf 10 top-position plate block that can be compared to the magnificent plate block offered here. The other was last offered in a Christie’s Robson Lowe sale almost 20 years ago and is currently in a private collection. The plate block offered here surfaced recently and was certified by The Philatelic Foundation. With 2009 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 2002

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Mint N.H., beautiful vibrant color, proof-like impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT PERF 10 PANAMA-PACIFIC ISSUE. With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $5,300.00). Only seven examples have graded higher to date (including the Gem 100 example offered in our Sale 953)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 968B, Lot 521

10c Panama-Pacific, Perf 10 (Scott 404). Lightly hinged, deep rich color, small natural gum crease, otherwise Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1818