Sale 1108 — The Robert Bowman Collection of Superb U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 29 September, 2015
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 289-293)
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforations, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.--THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2003 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it. This is the first we have offered.
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade and impression, long and full perforations, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only three have graded higher (the highest is a 98)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Wide and balanced margins, detailed impression, neat registry oval cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1988 and 1998 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,350.00), we are surprised this did not grade higher
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Warm shade on crisp paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of New York registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The design of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi depicts the Eads bridge, which spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The original engraving was used on the admission ticket to the Republican Convention of 1896, which nominated William McKinley as candidate for president. The stamp, issued during the McKinley Administration, illustrates the natural boundary between East and West and so was appropriate for the Trans-Mississippi issue.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
Brookman notes "the $2.00 is not easy to obtain well-centered as many of these stamps seem to be perforated close to the top and its color is such that it cancels rather badly. This combination makes fine used copies difficult to obtain. I consider it more difficult to obtain in choice used condition than any of the high values of the Columbian issue."
With 1986 and 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only four others share this grade.