The New Amsterdam Collection of United States Rarities
July 10, 2019

The New Amsterdam Collection of United States Stamps sold for close to $7 Million on 10th July 2019. Hundreds of floor and internet bidders competed for just 220 lots at auction which took almost four hours to complete. With the final hammer, the New Amsterdam Collection took its rightful place among the most valuable stamp collections in philatelic history.

The New Amsterdam Collection was formed over fifty years ago, its mission to complete spaces in a newly acquired Scott National Postage Album. Most of the material was acquired through Dumont Stamp Company, an old established and respected dealership which was in midtown Manhattan in the 1970s.

Competition was intense, especially for the top items. The absolute highlights of the auction were the two 1867 "Z" Grills, each with a pre-sale estimate of $750,000. The 10c green (Washington) fetched $1,150,000 and 15c gray black (Lincoln) $1,610,000, the latter setting a record for a single United States stamp sold at auction.

Additional rare Grills realized $661,250 for a 3c "B" Grill and $172,500 for a 30c "A" Grill. Other noteworthy results include $287,500 for 1869 30c Pictorial with Inverted flags and $402,500 for 24c Inverted Jenny. A rare 2c coil pair estimated at $300,000 was hammered down at $805,000. All results include Cherrystone's 15% buyer's premium.

ImagesDescriptionCurrent Bid
Lot #190
United States 1914-17 Issues
1917 2c deep rose, Type Ia, Imperforate, Schermack Type III Perforation, usual centering, tied by wavy machine cancel on window envelope with Holeproof Hosiery Co. corner card, "Milwaukee Wis Mar 30, 1920" cds, fine, with 1967 and 2019 Philatelic Foundation Certificates. Scott 482A was issued imperforate by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and sold to the Schermack Company for use in its machines. The 482A on cover is one of the premier rarities of 20th Century US Philately. Siegel Census records only three covers, one unused single, a used pair and 33 used singles for a total of 39 stamps. Most examples are either cut well into the design or have the Schermack perfs trimmed away on one side. This copy last appeared in a Robert A Siegel, ex-Wunderlich sale in 1971. A more recent realization of $160,000 plus buyer's premium was achieved at the Dr. Alfred Martin Collection (Siegel Auctions 2005)
Envelope
Catalog #482A
Catalog Value $70,000
Unsold

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