Sale 1075 — 2014 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 26 June, 2014
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on India (230P3-245P3). Complete set of blocks of four on India paper, each mounted on approximately 97 x 75mm card from the top left corner of the sheet, the India paper with large margins all around, brilliant colors, free of the usual translucencies normally associated with this fragile paper due to the original card mountingEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE SET OF BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE COLUMBIAN ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON INDIA.
Blocks of Columbian plate proofs are scarce on either India paper or card. These India paper corner-margin blocks on original card backing are great rarities. While Scott Retail differs by denomination between India and card, the entire set catalogues the same
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proofs on Card (230P4-245P4). Complete set of blocks of four, each with left sheet margin except for 1c, large margins, rich colorsEXTREMELY FINE. AN ABSOLUTELY PRISTINE SET OF MARGIN BLOCKS OF FOUR OF THE COLUMBIAN ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON CARD.
Blocks of the Columbian plate proofs are scarce, and these blocks with sheet margins and in such superb condition are great rarities. While Scott Retail differs by denomination between India and card, the entire set catalogues the same
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Plate Proof on Card (230P4-245P4). Complete set of vertical pairs, all except 1c and 2c with full imprint sheet margin at right, large margins other sides, beautiful colorsEXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENAL SET OF THE COLUMBIAN ISSUE PLATE PROOFS ON CARD WITH "AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY" IMPRINTS.
This set is highly exhibitable, and is the first of its kind we have offered. Scott Retail as singles with no premium for the imprints.
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H. full sheet of 100 with imprint selvage at sides and two imprint, plate no. 57 and letter "L" blocks of eight at bottom, natural s.e. at top, fresh color and sharp proof-like impression, five stamp at upper right slightly short gum, some perf separations as would be expected incl. in horizontal row bisecting the side imprints (left block of six essentially separated between), pencil notation in selvage at upper leftFINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED SHEET OF 100 OF THE 3-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
All of the 1c stamps and most but not all of the 2c stamps of the Columbian issue were printed from 200-subject plates, with guide arrows between the two panes of 100. The perforating machine applied horizontal perforations and cut the 200-stamp sheets into panes of 100 in the same operation, normally leaving a trace of the guide arrow on the straight edge of each pane. Some of the 2c stamps and all of the 3c-$5.00 stamps were printed on smaller presses from plates of only 100 subjects, with no guide arrows. When the perforating machine applied horizontal perforations to sheets from the 100-subject plates, the cutting knife came down as before, and removed either the top or bottom sheet margin (and plate numbers), reducing by half the potential number of Columbian plate blocks that might have been available to collectors. This is also why so many Columbian stamps are reperforated at top or bottom rather than at the sides -- 10 stamps from every 100-subject sheet (or pane) would show a straight edge at either top or bottom. The 100-subject sheets were then divided into panes of 50 for distribution and sale at post offices. The undivided full sheets of 100, such as the one offered here, were only available from the Philatelic Agency in Washington D.C.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. plate blocks and singles
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum, the more intense of the two error shades, fresh and bright paper, well-centered with beautifully wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components.
Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
With 1989 P.F. certificate
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep rich colorFINE. AN ATTRACTIVE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components.
Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
With 1949 A.P.S. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates.
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Mint N.H. block of four, deep rich color, proof-like impressionFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR. VERY FEW MULTIPLES ARE KNOWN OF THIS DISTINCTIVE COLOR ERROR, AND EVEN FEWER ARE IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components.
Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
With 2014 P.F. certificate as a block of five (top right stamp removed)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H. full sheet of 100 with imprint selvage at sides and two imprint, plate no. 6 and letter "B" blocks of eight at top, natural s.e. at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, a few small tears in top of selvage, some minor perf separations as would be expectedFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED SHEET OF 100 OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS FORMAT WAS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH THE PHILATELIC AGENCY IN WASHINGTON D.C.
All of the 1c stamps and most but not all of the 2c stamps of the Columbian issue were printed from 200-subject plates, with guide arrows between the two panes of 100. The perforating machine applied horizontal perforations and cut the 200-stamp sheets into panes of 100 in the same operation, normally leaving a trace of the guide arrow on the straight edge of each pane. Some of the 2c stamps and all of the 3c-$5.00 stamps were printed on smaller presses from plates of only 100 subjects, with no guide arrows. When the perforating machine applied horizontal perforations to sheets from the 100-subject plates, the cutting knife came down as before, and removed either the top or bottom sheet margin (and plate numbers), reducing by half the potential number of Columbian plate blocks that might have been available to collectors. This is also why so many Columbian stamps are reperforated at top or bottom rather than at the sides -- 10 stamps from every 100-subject sheet (or pane) would show a straight edge at either top or bottom. The 100-subject sheets were then divided into panes of 50 for distribution and sale at post offices. The undivided full sheets of 100, such as the one offered here, were only available from the Philatelic Agency in Washington D.C.
A Power Search review found only one other sheet of 100 and it contained some hinged stamps. Scott Retail as Mint N.H. plate blocks and singles
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. complete left pane of 50 with bottom imprint, plate no. 104 and letter "Z" block of eight, imprint at left and natural s.e. at top, gum bends as often seen on Columbian multiples, incl. one that slightly creases the selvage at bottom, bright color, attractive centering including in the plate blockFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED COMPLETE PANE OF 50 OF THE 6-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Some of the 2c stamps and all of the 3c-$5.00 stamps were printed on presses that accommodated plates of 100 subjects, with no guide arrows. When the perforating machine applied horizontal perforations to sheets from the 100-subject plates, the cutting knife removed either the top or bottom sheet margin (and plate numbers), reducing by half the potential number of Columbian plate blocks that might have been available to collectors. The 100-subject sheets were then divided into panes of 50 for distribution and sale at post offices.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. plate block and singles
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 99 and letter "Y" at left block of eight, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, unusually choice centering throughoutEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
Prior to our dispersal of the huge MLG plate block collection in 2009, we had offered only two other Mint N.H. plate blocks of eight (as well as one plate block of six and one plate block of ten) since 1993. The MLG collection contained five, including the example offered here, which skewed all previous statistics. However, this plate block stands far above any other we have ever offered in terms of overall quality.
Ex MLG. With 2012 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Deep rich color, wide beautifully balanced margins, lightly cancelled with full design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING LIGHTLY-CANCELLED AND CENTERED USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN.
Approximately half the quantity of $3.00 Columbian stamps was issued compared to each of the $1.00 and $2.00. We do not know the distribution of quantity for the two shades. Sales of the Columbians were disappointing to the post office, as collectors complained about the high price of the stamps. Plans to print additional quantities were cancelled. There was speculation in the dollar-value Columbians at the time they were issued, and the quantity which were used was fairly small.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,850.00). Of the main Yellow Green shade $3.00 Columbian, only one stamp has graded higher (at 98).