Sale 1092 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 19-20 February, 2015
Category — 1894-1903 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-284)
2c Dark Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H., essentially perfect centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1986 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, wide marginsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE WHICH IS IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY.
It is believed that most examples of this error originate from a part sheet purchased by a collector at the Richmond Va. post office. Most tend to be off center.
With 1995 P.F. certificate
8c Violet Brown (257). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED FIRST BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,400.00). Only one Mint N.H. example has been graded higher (at 98)
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., deep rich color on post-office fresh paper, choice balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
Ex Killien. With 1993 P.F. (for block of four) and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00). Only two stamps have been graded higher and only two others share this grade -- statistics which have not changed in more than five years
$1.00 Black, Ty. I, II (261-261A). Block of 18 in 6 x 3 format with part arrow selvage at right, left column Type I (from the 5th column of the right pane), other 15 stamps Type II, original gum, 12 stamps Mint N.H., six stamps lightly hinged and two narrow h.r. reinforcing some minor perf separations, intense shade on bright white paper, centered slightly to top, natural gum crease thru second vertical rowFINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND ONE OF THE LARGEST MULTIPLES OF THE $1.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE SHOWING A COMBINATION OF TYPES I AND II. A BEAUTIFUL SHOWPIECE.
The $1.00 1894-95 Issue was printed in a sheet of 200 comprised of two panes of 100. The left pane and left half of the right pane were Type I, while the right half of the right pane was Type II. Combination pairs and strips, which exist only between the fifth and sixth columns, are rare and desirable. Large multiples showing both types are even more rare (there are only four recorded plate blocks). According to Bartels and Brookman, only 8,762 of the Type II were issued in total, and of these only a small fraction (20%) come from the positions that could yield combination pairs.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense impression on crisp paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1990 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,800.00). This issue is difficult to obtain in the higher grades -- only two have graded higher (both 98) and one other shares this desirable grade.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-DOLLAR TYPE II 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $4,000.00. Only four have graded higher (two at 95, two at 98)
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impressionVERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
We have offered approximately a half-dozen unduplicated Mint N.H. examples of this issue.
With 2014 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Block of four, bright color, cancelled by neat strikes of oval registry cancels, a couple small thin spots and some edge perf separationsFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USED BLOCK OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
According to Linn's U.S. Stamp Facts, a block of four is the largest recorded used multiple of the $2.00 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue. Power Search located only three others.
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, rich color and detailed impressionVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate
3c-6c, 10c 1895 Issue (268-271, 273). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. strips of 10, half arrow natural s.e. on one side and corner selvage on the other side, representing the top row of the pane for each value, wonderful depth of color, a number of stamps well-centered incl. several in the 6c strip -- which is one of the most difficult values of the series to obtain in choice condition (no singles grade above 95), pristine and post-office freshFINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MATCHED SET OF MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIPS OF TEN OF THE 3-CENT TO 6-CENT AND 10-CENT1895 BUREAU ISSUE. THIS SET WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DUPLICATE.
Like the 1895-98 Issue strips offered in the following lots, these pieces comes from an old-time collection and were most likely acquired by the previous owner through purchases at post offices in the 1890's and early 1900's. As such they have been kept out of the light since 1895 and have never before appeared at auction.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. imprint and plate no. strip of three plus singles
8c Violet Brown (272). Mint N.H., wide balanced margins, fresh color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H., pretty shade on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,750.00), only two have graded higher
10c Dark Green (273). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty shade, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
$1.00 Black, Ty. I-II (276-276A). Horizontal pair, original gum, left stamp Type I, right stamp Type II, detailed impression on bright paper, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM COMBINATION PAIR OF THE 1895 $1.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The $1.00 1894-95 Bureau Issue was printed in plates of 200 subjects. The plate consisted of fifteen vertical rows of Type I and five vertical rows of Type II, which accounts for the scarcity of Type II compared with Type I. There are only ten positions on the plate which yield combination pairs.
With 2014 P.F. certificate (VF 80).
$1.00 Black, Ty. I-II (276-276A). Block of four, left stamps Ty. I, right stamps Ty. II, original gum, intense shade on fresh paperFINE. A RARE BLOCK OF THE 1895 $1.00 WATERMARKED ISSUE, WITH THE LEFT STAMPS TYPE I AND THE RIGHT STAMPS TYPE II.
The plate of the $1.00 1894-1895 Bureau Issue consisted of fifteen vertical rows of Type I and five vertical rows of Type II, which accounts for the scarcity of Type II compared with Type I. There are only ten positions on the plate which yield combination pairs -- between the fifth and sixth rows of the right pane.
With 2014 P.F. certificate
50c Orange (275). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 75 strip of 10, half-arrow natural s.e. at left and corner selvage at right, representing the top row of the pane, vivid color, outstanding centering which is rarely found for an entire rowEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED 50-CENT 1895 BUREAU PLATE STRIP OF THE FULL TOP ROW OF THE RIGHT PANE.
This piece comes from an old-time collection and was most likely acquired by the previous owner through purchases at post offices in the late 1800's and early 1900's. As such it has been kept out of the light since 1895 and has never before appeared at auction. It contains remarkably choice examples of the 50c 1895, which is very difficult to obtain as a single in higher grades.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. singles
$1.00 Black, Ty. I-II (276-276A). Block of four, left stamps Ty. I, oval registry cancel, completely soundFINE. A RARE USED BLOCK OF THE 1895 $1.00 WATERMARKED ISSUE, WITH THE LEFT STAMPS TYPE I AND THE RIGHT STAMPS TYPE II. AN ESPECIALLY RARE MULTIPLE IN USED CONDITION.
The plate of the $1.00 1894-1895 Bureau Issue consisted of fifteen vertical rows of Type I and five vertical rows of Type II, which accounts for the scarcity of Type II compared with Type I. There are only ten positions on the plate which yield combination pairs -- between the fifth and sixth rows of the right pane. The layout of the plate and the fact that very few used blocks are known of either type make this used block a great rarity. Scott assigns a $1,300.00 premium for a combination block of four compared to two combination pairs.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with well-balanced margins, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGNAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With copy of 1976 P.F. certificate for block
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
As an indication of rarity, we have offered only about a dozen Mint N.H. examples of this issue since keeping computerized records more than 20 years ago
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2014 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Original gum, h.r., choice margins and handsomely centered, intense color with sharp impression, Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, small h.r., intense color, reperfed at top, Fine appearance
2c Red, Ty. IV (279B). Mint N.H., radiant color, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, light natural gum wrinkle, Extremely Fine, ex Whitman, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), only four examples have graded higher
4c Lilac Brown (280a). Mint N.H. block of 45 in 9 x 5 format with full arrow selvage at right, gorgeous color, choice centering essentially throughout, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a scarce large multiple of this shade variety, Scott Retail as singles
5c Dark Blue, 6c Lake (281-282). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. strips of 10, half arrow natural s.e. on one side and corner selvage on the other side, representing the top row of the pane for both values, post-office fresh color and paper, attractive centering, Fine-Very Fine, a pristine matched pair of imprint and plate no. strips of ten, from an old-time collection and kept out of the light since 1898, Scott Retail as Mint N.H. imprint and plate no. strips of three plus singles
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H., precisely centered, vivid color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only one stamp has graded higher
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H. top right corner imprint and plate no. 924 block of 20, half-arrow natural s.e. at left, representing the top two rows of the pane, radiant color, the stamps of the plate block of six particularly fresh and well-centeredVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND VERY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED LARGE FORMAT TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1898 6-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE..
This piece comes from an old-time collection and was most likely acquired by the previous owner through purchases at post offices in the 1890's and early 1900's. As such it has been kept out of the light since 1898 and has never before appeared at auction. Power Search located only one other Mint N.H. plate block of this issue.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. plate block plus 14 singles
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H., wide margins, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. certificate for a block of four, this the bottom left stamp
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 521 strip of three, pristine color on bright paper, Very Fine
10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 999 strip of 10, half arrow natural s.e. at right and corner selvage at left, representing the top row of the left pane, intense deep color, pristine and post-office freshFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF TEN OF THE 1898 10-CENT TYPE II.
This piece comes from an old-time collection and was most likely acquired by the previous owner through purchases at post offices in the 1890's and early 1900's. As such it has been kept out of the light since 1898 and has never before appeared at auction.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. imprint and plate no. strip of three plus six singles
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-balanced margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H. wide top imprint and plate no. 264 strip of 10, half arrow natural s.e. at right and corner selvage at left, representing the top row of the left pane, exceptional depth of color, pristine and post-office freshVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF TEN OF THE 1898 15-CENT BUREAU ISSUE.
This piece comes from an old-time collection and was most likely acquired by the previous owner through purchases at post offices in the 1890's and early 1900's. As such it has been kept out of the light since 1898 and has never before appeared at auction.
Scott Retail as Mint N.H. imprint and plate no. strip of three plus seven singles