US Stamp Price Scott Catalog # 519 – 1917 1c George Washington Perf 11. Page 5

2c Carmine (Scott 519). Mint N.H., bright color and crisp impression, attractive centering, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $1,850.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 468

2c Carmine (Scott 519). Deep rich color on bright paper, bold strike of New York circular datestamp, wide and balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK PERF 11 ISSUE, SCOTT 519. This combination of the 1909 “Two Cents” on double-line watermarked paper and gauge-11 perforations was created when an unused supply of imperforate sheets was returned to the Bureau for perforating in 1917 on the new 11-gauge machine. It is probably the most widely faked non-coil 20th Century U.S. stamp (fake perfs and fake cancels abound). This is a rare genuinely perforated and genuinely cancelled example in superb condition. There is trace of cancel on the right perfs, which are full and complete. With 2006 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3607

1917, 2¢ carmine, DL watermark (Scott 519), impressive example of this incredibly scarce genuinely used stamp, with nice big margins and deep rich color, signed “Costales” expert signature on reverse, neat black cancellation, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 2012 Weiss certificate. Scott $1,750. Estimate value $1,000 – 1,500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1394

2c Carmine (Scott 519). Rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of “Times Square N.Y.” oval registry cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT PERF 11 DOUBLE-LINE WATERMARK ISSUE, SCOTT 519, IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. THIS WONDERFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. The Johl book quotes Joseph B. Leavy, the Government Philatelist, who described how this issue came about: “In September 1910 the Postmaster of St. Louis transferred to the Postmaster of New York City the following imperforate postage stamps in sheets of 400 — 120 sheets of the 1c — 1,500 sheets of the 2c. They had been specially made with uniform margins [sic imperforate] for use by the United States Automatic Vending Machine Company, which company had moved to New York at that time. It seems that this firm had gone out of business for in 1917 the Postmaster in New York reported having on hand 1,467 sheets of the 2c imperforate, Series of 1908, and could find no record of the U.S. Automatic Vending Company, and asked that he be allowed to return them for credit. This being a period of conservation, the Bureau notified him to return them for perforation. They were perforated in September 1917, (four months after the last wheels of the perforating machines had been changed to gauge 11). In perforating them 34 sheets had been spoiled and were returned to the Bureau for redemption and destruction, leaving a total of 1,433 sheets of 400 or 573,200 stamps perforated 11, which were placed on sale in New York City.” Johl further notes these were sold in the regular course of business and by the end of October had been distributed to post offices around New York. The majority was used for postage and destroyed before philatelists knew of the issue’s existence. The example offered here, with a clear New York cancel and in superb condition, is a phenomenal rarity. The next-highest grade for a used copy is an 80. With 1996 and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ price $5,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. As another indication of rarity, only seven used copies have been graded, and the next-highest grade is an 80.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1028, Lot 441

1917, 2¢ carmine, DL watermark (519), mathematically centered with perfectly balanced margins, deep vibrant color and immaculate, never hinged original gum, Extremely Fine to Superb and seldom seen this choice. Scott value $850 Expertization: 2001 PF Certificate for a block of 4.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 369

1917, 2¢ carmine, DL watermark (Scott 519), fresh with large margins, left margin single with part imprint, o.g., never hinged, Fine to Very Fine, 1997 PF Cert for strip of 3, this being the center stamp. Scott $850. Estimate value $400 – 600. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1881

1917, 2¢ carmine, DL watermark (Scott 519), fresh and choice, right margin single with part imprint, o.g., lightly hinged, Extremely Fine, 1985 APS Cert. Scott $400. Estimate price $400 – 600. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1882

1917, 2¢ carmine, DL watermark (Scott 519), o.g., never hinged, fresh and Fine, 2004 PF certificate. Scott $850. Estimate price $250 – 350. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1883

1917, 2¢ carmine, DL watermark (Scott 519), left margin single with plate number, o.g., lightly hinged, extremely scarce plate position piece, fabulous rich color, a rare opportunity to acquire a very pleasing example of this stamp, Fine, with photocopy of 1959 P.F. certificate for block/6, from which this stamp was taken, this being the upper left stamp from the block. Scott $400 Estimate price $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 629, Lot 378

1917, 2¢ carmine, DL watermark (Scott 519), o.g., barest trace of hinge (appears never hinged), very fresh with wide margins, choice, Extremely Fine, 3 PF certificates: 2011 says hinged, 1998 says never hinged, 1985 before NH available- you decide. Scott $400 Estimate $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2012, Sale 629, Lot 377

1917, 2¢ carmine, D.L. watermark (519), wonderfully fresh and bright, original gum, never hinged, Fine. Scott value $850 Expertization: signed Costales with 2003 PSE Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2012, Sale 344, Lot 4639

2c Carmine (Scott 519). Block of four, lightly hinged at top and bottom, rich color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, an attractive block, scarce as most of this quality have been broken to feed demand for singles

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 874

1917, 2¢ carmine, DL watermark (519), absolutely perfectly centered with generous, beautifully balanced margins, deep rich color and flawless, never hinged original gum, post office fresh and positively Superb. SMQ value $8,500. Scott $850 ONE OF ONLY THREE NEVER HINGED SUPERBS AWARDED BY PSE TO DATE, WITH NOT A SINGLE HIGHER GRADE AMONG THE MORE THAN 100 EXAMPLES GRADED. Expertization: PSE encapsulated and graded Superb 98.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 489

U.S.; General Issues, 1917, 2¢ Carmine, DL Watermark, #519. O.g. (h.r.), Fine to Very Fine, PF (1988) cert. Scott $400. Estimate value $150-180.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2012, Sale 92, Lot 1185

U.S.; General Issues, 1917, 2¢ Carmine, DL Watermark, #519. O.g. (small h.r.), Fine, PSAG (2011) cert. Scott $400. Estimate $100-140.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2012, Sale 92, Lot 1186