Expert Comments:
2011 was an active year for the PSE Set Registry. We brought our Commemorative Year Sets up to 1955, added a Junior Duck set, an Official Specimen set and a few other requested sets. There was much activity this year with a couple top sets being blown away by some new competition. With the increase in completion requirement to 90% to be eligible for an award, the competition still remained fierce. All of the top award winners are 100% complete and many were comprised completely of top pop stamps making judging difficult. We wish to thank all PSE Set Registrants. Whether you won an award this year or not, your participation in the Registry and your enthusiasm is very much appreciated.

Scott Murphy, USN, Ret.
Professional Stamp Experts
Finalizer, SMQ Editor
(949) 567-1346

Best Overall Set of 2011

West Coast - 1913 Parcel Post (NH)
A wonderful series, beautifully engraved. Just incredible – every stamp is top of the pop and 59% jumbo to boot! A magnificent achievement that just speaks for itself.

Best 19th Century Regular Issue Set of 2011

Nick Kirke Collection - 1873-75 Continental Bank Notes (Used)
The “Bank Note” issues defined U.S. postage stamps for almost 25 years – from 1870 to 1895, and while some find them a bit monotonous, advanced collectors know what a challenge a great set is, and a complete set is a delight to the eye, colorful and majestic in their design. All the large bank note series are difficult, but to achieve this level takes perseverance and tenacity. This set has been quietly creeping along over the years and has finally reached maturity. What an amazing display.

Nick Kirke Collection - 1895 First Bureau Issues (Used)
For a fourth year in a row this set has quietly topped its competition and even though only 19% are jumbos, only four stamps fall short of top of the pop and each of those with but a single stamp grading higher. A set certainly worthy of recognition and simply stunning.

Best 19th Century Commemorative Set of 2011

Nick Kirke Collection - 1893 Columbian (Used)
A fantastic set that has led the way in this category for the last four years. Fully 50% are jumbos and many top pops. This set is a real delight to the eye.

Flying High Again - 1898 Trans-Mississippi (NH)
Although a relatively new set, it is quite an achievement to reach this level with so few places for improvement. Just incredible eye appeal here.

Best 20th Century Regular Issue Set of 2011

Flying High Again - 1902-03 Regular Issues (NH)
The first set of the 20th century; these stamps have great eye appeal. To assemble a set like this take patience. What a treat!

Avenbury Lakes Pairs - 1914 Regular Issues - Coils, Pairs (NH)
Coils were first issued by the government in the 20th century. Not initially appreciated because collectors wanted fully perforated stamps, these coils flat plate printed coils can be amazingly difficult. Coil stamps can be notoriously difficult to find well centered. With only a single stamp available to improve this set, this award is truly well earned.

Brian M. DeBroff (Brian and Brian Stamps) - 1918-20 Washington Franklin Issues Offset Imperforates (NH)
The toughest 20th century imperforate set with all but one stamp grading 100J – and that one at the top of the pop.

Brian M. DeBroff (Brian and Brian Stamps) - 1923-26 Imperf (NH)
There can be no doubt that a complete set graded Gem 100J deserves recognition.

Randy Henson - 1923-26 Imperf (NH)
There can be no doubt that a complete set graded Gem 100J deserves recognition.

Randy Henson - 1923-26 Imperf, Singles (NH)
There can be no doubt that a complete set graded Gem 100J deserves recognition.

Avenbury Lakes Pairs - 1923-29 Regular Issues - Coils, Line Pairs (NH)
The rotary press stamps of the fourth Bureau issue are extremely challenging because of their tiny margins. Coils for this issue are amazingly difficult and every stamp in this set is top of the pop. To achieve this level with line pairs is astounding.

Avenbury Lakes Pairs - 1929-34 Regular Issues - Coils, Line Pairs (NH)
These rotary press stamps are extremely challenging because of their tiny margins. A small set, but still quite difficult with every stamp at the top of the pop.

Best 20th Century Commemorative Set of 2011

Nick Kirke Collection - 1907 Jamestown (Used)
A small set but arguably one of the most difficult to assemble at this level. Every stamp is top of the pop and 2/3 of them are jumbos. A pleasure to view.

Flying High Again - 1909 Commemoratives (NH)
Any set with a rating above 100 has to be incredible. A small early set, it is currently the finest possible with each stamp at the top of the pop.

Flying High Again - 1923 Harding Memorial Issues (NH)
Any set with a rating above 100 has to be incredible. A small but important set it is currently the finest possible with each stamp at the top of the pop.

Randy Henson - 1938-44 3c Violet Commemoratives (NH)
A fairly large set of 25 stamps, this set has 84% at the top of the pop, 19 graded Gem 100 and one graded Gem 100J – the rest graded 98. Modern, yes, but still impressive.

Charles Fricke (ChazTheBear) - Farley National Parks Imperfs Type Set (NGAI)
There can be no doubt that a complete set graded Gem 100J deserves recognition.

Flying High Again - Early 1950s Commemoratives (NH)
What a challenge – 43 stamps and over 88% are top of the pop with 36 graded Gem 100 and the rest graded 98. Simply an amazing accomplishment.

Randy Henson - Farley National Parks Imperfs Type Set (NGAI)
There can be no doubt that a complete set graded Gem 100J deserves recognition.

Best Back of the Book Set of 2011

West Coast - 1913 Parcel Post (NH)
A wonderful series, beautifully engraved. Just incredible – every stamp is top of the pop and 59% jumbo to boot! A magnificent achievement that just speaks for itself.

Flying High Again - Early Airmail Issues C1-C19 (NH)
Any set with a rating above 100 has to be incredible and this set is no exception with but three stamps that could improve it - just marvelous viewing.

Flying High Again - Special Delivery Issues (NH)
New this year, this set has surpassed the top sets from the last six years. With a set of 23 stamps spanning 86 years this is not easy to do. Ten top pops, six Gem 100s and one Gem 100J get the job done. Outstanding.

Best Federal Duck Set of 2011

Best of the Registry Certificate Winners of 2011

(#1 set in each category with at least 90% completion, 4/6/12 2:00pm EST)