Sale 941 — The John F. Odeneal Collection of Superb Mint U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 3 October, 2007
Category — 1873 Continental Bank Note Co. Issue
1c Ultramarine (156). Original gum, barest trace of hinging at bottom, brilliant color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
2c Brown (157). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, a scarce stamp in Mint N.H. condition, with 1990 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged
3c Green (158). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 3-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THE COVETED SUPERB 98 GRADE AT P.S.E.
With 1998 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ as Superb 98 in Mint N.H. condition). This is the highest grade awarded to date by P.S.E. and the only example to achieve this grade. Scott Retail as hinged
6c Dull Pink (159). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed on post office-fresh paper, gorgeous centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 6-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. AS FRESH AS THE DAY IT WAS PRINTED, AND EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE. THIS IS THE ONLY MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THE EXALTED P.S.E. GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95.
With 1985 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ as 95 in Mint N.H. condition). Needless to say, this is the highest grade awarded to date. Scott Retail as hinged.
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, choice centering with unusually wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (161). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, beautiful centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 10-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 1994 P.F. certificate
12c Blackish Violet (162). Original gum, absolutely stunning color which is deep and dark and which is beautifully contrasted by bright paper, almost perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING.
Ex Drucker. With 1988 P.F. certificate
15c Yellow Orange (163). Original gum, lightly hinged, extraordinarily choice centering with exceptionally wide margins, bright yellowish shadeEXTREMELY FINE. THE 15-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL IS ONE OF THE MOST ELUSIVE BANK NOTE ISSUES IN THIS GRADE IN ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
Although defined by a secret mark, the 15c Continental, Scott 163, is very difficult to distinguish from its National counterpart, Scott 152. Certain shades and impressions of the 15c Continental closely match certain National printings, and the secret mark is often undetectable. However, the stamp offered here has what we believe are characteristics unique to Continental's work. There is simply no question that this is a 15c Continental. Collectors who have searched for a well-centered Scott 163 with original gum know how rare it is in such condition. Off-center stamps are the norm.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
30c Gray Black (165). Original gum, lightly hinged, charcoal gray shade, fine impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
When it comes to naming the most elusive Bank Note stamps in choice original-gum condition, the 30c 1873 is often overlooked. However, go to any serious collection and look for this stamp, and most of the time it is missing or represented by something that compromises quality. The 30c 1870 is frequently found filling the space for Scott 165. The 30c Continental is extremely rare in any original-gum condition that approaches this example. Blocks have always been rare — for example, Caspary did not have one; Lilly had one well-centered block of four and an off-center block of six — which means that singles could not be harvested from multiples. We hope that collectors who still have a tendency to overlook the 30c Continental will be awakened to its rarity in Extremely Fine original-gum condition by our comments and recent realizations.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
90c Rose Carmine (166). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright white paper, enormous margins at top and bottomEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT AND A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.
We have only offered two other Mint N.H. examples since keeping computerized records: one with top right corner selvage, and the other with plate number selvage at top. Curiously, the P.S.E. has not certified a single Mint N.H. example of Scott 166.
With copy of 1988 P.F. certificate for pair and with 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged
2c Vermilion (178). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1983 and 1995 P.F. certificates, Scott Retail as hinged
5c Blue (179). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, enormous margins on three sidesVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE HIGH-GRADE MINT NEVER-HINGED 1875 5-CENT TAYLOR PRINTED BY CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY.
Although large multiples of the 5c Taylor American printing on soft paper (Scott 185) have provided Mint Never-Hinged singles, the 1875 Continental is very scarce in Mint Never-Hinged condition and rare in this grade. We have only offered offered four other Mint N.H. examples since keeping computerized records, the last of which realized $3,750 hammer in our Scarsdale sale (Sale 924).
With 1990 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as hinged