Sale 1278 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 21-23 March, 2023
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-284)
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H. with right part imprint selvage, choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with copy of 2022 P.F. certificate for a strip and with 2022 P.F. certificate as this single (XF 90)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Original gum, h.r., brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $450.00)
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins and outstanding centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE COUPLE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 1894 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. Often the perfs are choppy and rough, and very rarely are the stamps found with huge margins, perfect centering and well-defined perfs. This stamp is a wonderful exception.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $11,000.00). This is the only Scott 259 at this grade and only one grades higher -- a Superb 98 graded back in 2004.
50c Orange (260). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, well-centered with nicely proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, ex Morton, with 1993 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,200.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Mint N.H., intense shade on post office fresh paper, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 UNWATERMARKED TYPE II BUREAU ISSUE.
Condition conscious collectors are well aware that it is extremely difficult to find First Bureau stamps in centered, Mint Never-Hinged condition, particularly the higher denominations. This is mostly due to production problems as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed responsibility for stamp production after the American Bank Note Co. contract expired.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $8,750.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, vivid color and proof-like impression, essentially perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1895 TYPE II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F.
With copy of 2021 P.F. certificate for a strip of three. With 2022 P.F. certificate as this single (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. By way of comparison, Superb 98 is also the highest grade awarded by P.S.E.
6c Dull Brown (271). Mint N.H. with bottom selvage, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2021 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
15c Dark Blue (274). Selvage at bottom with part imprint, original gum, lightly hinged, proof-like color and impression on bright paper, excellent centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2021 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
50c Orange (275). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, well-centered, color slightly oxidized, Very Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, lightly hinged, with bottom selvage, intense shade, choice centering, Very Fine and choice, with copy of 2014 P.S.E. certificate for a strip of four
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Slightly disturbed original gum, intense shade and impression, Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Perfectly centered with wide margins, intense shade on bright white paper, unobtrusive cancel leaves design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED 1895 BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY THE P.F.
The dollar-value Bureaus are rarely found with centering that would qualify for a high numerical grade, but in used condition they are further handicapped by heavy registry cancels, which almost invariably knock points off the final grade. The $1.00 Type I 1895 Issue offered here is extraordinary not only for its precise centering and wide margins, but the lightly-struck cancel leaves the entire design visible.
With 2022 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. and it is shared by no others. By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is also Superb 98 (two examples).
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, rich color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, barely hinged, bright color and paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate showing bottom plate no. selvage and stating Mint N.H.
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, rich color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1984 P.F. certificate as Scott 262 and 2022 P.F. certificate as Scott 277
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Extra wide and beautifully balanced margins, deep rich color, Philadelphia circular datestamp cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1980 P.F. and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,750.00 as 95, $7,750.00 as 98). Only two used stamps grade higher (at 98 and 100J) and no others share this grade
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Deep rich color on bright paper, wavy-lines machine cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1996 and 2020 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
1c Deep Green (279). Mint N.H., rich color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $375.00)
4c Lilac Brown (280a). Mint N.H., lovely warm color in this distinctive shade, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $600.00)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (both XF 90; SMQ $325.00), we are surprised this did not grade 95
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H., vibrant color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H., lovely color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2006 and 2010 P.F. certificates (XF 90), by way of comparison only five grade higher in P.S.E.'s Population Report
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., beautiful color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2006, 2013 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (latter two XF 90; SMQ $1,600.00)