Lot 2216
1909, 4¢ orange brown, bluish paper, o.g., lightly hinged, choice centering for this notoriously off-centered issue, bright color and full intact perforations, fresh and Very Fine; with 1998 P.S.E. & 1974 and 2001 P.F. certificates.Scott No. 360 $27,500.
AN EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE OF THE OF THE 1909 4¢ BLUISH PAPER RARITY.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4¢ and 8¢ 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.
Realized: $13,500