Harrison collection of high-quality U.S. stamps in Feb. 11-12 Kelleher auction

By Charles Snee

The William H. Harrison collection of advanced high-quality United States stamps will be offered during a Feb. 11-12 sale by Kelleher Auctions in Danbury, Conn.

The 723 lots will be offered in two sessions that will commence at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. The first 418 lots will come up for bids Feb. 11. The remaining 305 lots will cross the auction block Feb. 12.

According to Kelleher the collection was formed with careful attention to a stamp’s centering, color, paper, perforations and, if used, the cancellation.

“The Harrison collection was formed taking into account the eye-appeal, which is really exceptional and above and beyond grades often assigned,” Kelleher said.

An exceptional stamp will tempt bidders on the first day of the sale: an unused (no gum) 1875 reissue of the 30¢ Eagle and Shield (Scott 131) from the 1869 Pictorial issue (112-122).

Just 1,535 examples of the 1875 30¢ Eagle and Shield stamp were sold, according to the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers.

Kelleher describes the stamp as “an all-around gem beauty with magnificently deep colors, crisp impression, and flawless centering on glowing white paper.”

Accompanying the stamp are 1992 and 2021 expertizing certificates from the Philatelic Foundation in New York City. On the 2021 certificate, the Philatelic Foundation assigned the grade of extra fine-superb 95.

In that grade and in unused no-gum condition, the stamp is valued at $3,250 in the Scott Stamp Values U.S. Specialized by Grade.

Kelleher is offering this unused (no gum) 1875 reissue of the 30¢ Eagle and Shield stamp from the 1869 Pictorial issue with an estimate of $3,000 to $4,000. As of late January, the stamp had an opening bid of $1,600.

A standout among the coil stamps of the early 20th century in the Harrison collection is an unused (original gum) 1908 5¢ blue Abraham Lincoln vertical coil stamp with gauge 12 horizontal perforations (Scott 317). The stamp has what Kelleher calls a leader tab at top. This blank selvage is approximately the same size as the printed stamp.

Kelleher describes the stamp as an “extraordinary example of this rare coil single, with jumbo margins of epic proportions; a uniquely appealing opportunity to acquire a stunning example of this stamp — which is unlike anything we’ve ever encountered on this issue.”

A 2017 Philatelic Foundation certificate states the stamp has been graded very fine-extra fine 85J. The “J” designation indicates a stamp with jumbo margins.

In the grade of VF-XF 85 (without jumbo margins), an unused single of Scott 317 is valued at $11,500 in the Scott Stamp Values U.S. Specialized by Grade.

Kelleher is offering this unused 1908 5¢ blue Abraham Lincoln vertical coil stamp with gauge 12 horizontal perforations with an estimate of $7,500 to $10,000 and an opening bid of $4,500.

Bidders should review the various warnings and footnotes about the early coil stamps (Scott 316-318) that are given in the Scott U.S. Specialized catalog.

For example, the warning above the listing for Scott 316 states:

“Warning! Imperforate stamps are known fraudulently perforated to resemble coil stamps and part-perforate varieties. Fully perforated stamps and booklet stamps also are known with perforations fraudulently trimmed off to resemble coil stamps.”

Kelleher has prepared a single catalog for the Harrison collection of advanced high-quality U.S. stamps that is available for viewing and download on the firm’s website, www.kelleherauctions.com, with online bidding options available on Stamp Auction Network.

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