7045

HB-111, EP-43, Scott-79, Reed-EM03. Three Cents. ELLIS McALPIN & COMPANY. Extremely Fine.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
HB-111, EP-43, Scott-79, Reed-EM03. Three Cents. ELLIS McALPIN & COMPANY. Extremely Fine.
SOLD
3,200.00USD+ (640.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2021 Mar 12 @ 18:52UTC-8 : PST/AKDT

Lot: 7045
Header:
Title: HB-111, EP-43, Scott-79, Reed-EM03. Three Cents. ELLIS McALPIN & COMPANY. Extremely Fine.
Description: Rated as Rarity-9 (2 to 4 known) according to Fred Reed. The 1989 published Hodder-Bowers “Standard Catalogue of Encased Postage Stamps” reference states: “The 3¢ value is extremely rare, with fewer than four pieces thought to survive.” The Three Cents “Ellis McAlpin & Company” is further shown there listed with ONLY DASHES in all grades in place of values, due to its extreme rarity. The June 2004, John J. Ford, Jr. Collection Auction Sale catalog stated: “Extremely rare: there are only about three or four of these known.” In fact, the Ford Sale example was brightly polished and then lacquer coated, most likely having its pedigree attributed to the Dunham Collection. The Dunham Collection was bought in its entirety, prior to Max Mehl's June 1941 auction sale, by Mr. T. James Clarke. Unfortunately, Mr. Clarke in turn then polished all of the Encased Postage Stamps in that collection. We sold that Ford piece in our March 2018 Lot 2268 for $2180.
This currently offered example is a known, significant “Key” Encased Postage Stamp to complete a full collection set, or specifically for this merchant. The red George Washington stamp is very well centered and a bit light with some faint even tone, viewed through clear unbroken mica. The chestnut tone case is defect free, all legend text is sharp and it still retains traces of glossy luster. This example is believed pedigreed to Stack's Arnold Perl Collection Sale, of December of 1969, Lot 995 (no inset tag). We believe this example is possibly the Finest Known EP-43.

Low Estimate: 3500
High Estimate: 4500
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