Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (285-293). Original gum, complete set hinged on original lot cards from the Franklin D. Roosevelt collection, 50c and $2.00 natural straight edge at left, most have decent centering, Very Fine group, a rare opportunity to own a set of the famous Trans-Mississippi stamps, one can imagine FDR admiring this set during a break from fighting tyranny and oppression
View PDF of contents of this lot
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (285-293). Used set, 1c with Chicago waving flag machine cancel, $2.00 registry oval, few small faults, Fine-Very Fine set
View PDF of contents of this lot
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., exceedingly well-centered, wonderfully bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,000.00), only two grade higher (one at 98J, one at 100J)
2c Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 737 selvage, Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, bright and fresh in every respect, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,150.00),
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H., with top plate no. 618 selvage, deep rich color and crisp impression on bright paper, wide margins and precise centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Ex "Golden Oak". With 1996, 2014 and 2020 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, wide margins and centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2020 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $975.00), we actually feel this is undergraded
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H. with imprint selvage at top, intense shade on bright paper, as fresh as the day it was printed, incredibly detailed impression which highlights every minute detail of this wonderful engravingEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE IMPRINT. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. Although blocks have been broken over the years to supply Mint N.H. singles, it seems that grading is always a compromise between perfect centering and margin width. Only in a few instances do we find the combination of Mint N.H. condition, Extremely Fine Gem centering and wide balanced margins. This stamp is one of those extremely rare examples combining everything that could be desired. It is one of only six examples that have achieved the grade of XF-Superb 95 in the P.S.E. Population Report, and only four have graded higher.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1999 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former as a pair. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $19,000.00). Only six other examples of this popular issue have achieved this grade and only four grade higher (all at 98).
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., deep shade and sharp impression, perfectly centered with wide balanced margins, remarkably freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. Although blocks have been broken over the years to supply Mint N.H. singles, it seems that grading is always a compromise between perfect centering and margin width. Only in a few instances do we find the combination of Mint N.H. condition, Extremely Fine Gem centering and wide balanced margins. This stamp is one of those extremely rare examples of everything that could be desired.
Ex Wingate. With 1978, 1989 and 1996 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at left, dark shade and proof-like impression on crisp paperVERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2002 (for pair) and 2008 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, fresh and Fine
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, detailed impression on bright paper, Very Fine, ex "World's Fair", with 1974 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, h.r., detailed impression, wide margins, Very Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, h.r., detailed impression, wide margins, light natural gum bends, small thin spot, Very Fine appearance
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, h.r., outstanding centering and margins, small tear at right and small thin spot, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, F 70; SMQ $500.00)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, detailed impression on bright paper, fresh and Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Unused, regummed over small thin spot, intense shade, Fine appearance
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Bottom imprint and plate no. 606 pair, lightly hinged, few perf separations, Fine and scarce plate number multiple, an excellent alternative to a plate block of four which catalogues $35,000.00
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Block of four, original gum, barely hinged (almost appears Mint N.H.), intense shade and impression, few minor perf separations expertly reinforced at leftFINE. AN ATTRACTIVE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Most blocks have been broken to feed collector demand for singles for this popular issue
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and detailed impression, choice centering and marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2020 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, barest trace of hinging and appears Mint N.H. upon initial inspection, rich color, Very Fine, with 1983 and 2021 P.F. certificates