Sale 968A — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Two: 1870-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 April, 2009
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H. with plate no. 33 at bottom, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 ONE-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo). Only two have graded higher to date and only four others share this grade.
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins with plate no. 35 selvage at top, bright shade, selvage has slight crease, stamp is Very Fine and choice, with 1995 P.F. certificate
2c Pink, Ty. I (248). Mint N.H., radiant color on fresh paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, according to Brookman the color of this issue (like the 1c, Scott 246) proved unsatisfactory and so it was in production for only a few months before the color was changed, with 1995 P.F. certificate, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), only two 95J's and three 98's listed in P.S.E. Population Report
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., beautiful dark shade and proof-like impression on fresh paper, long full perfs all around, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR ONE-OF-A-KIND EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I 1894 ISSUE IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE.
As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. This example, with precise centering, Jumbo margins and perfectly formed perforations is an extreme condition rarity.
With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo). This is the only stamp to achieve this perfect grade in the P.S.E. Population Report, with no other examples in any condition grading above 98J
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H. with part bottom imprint selvage, wide Jumbo margins with vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo)
2c Scarlet, Ty. I (250b). Mint N.H., with plate no. 124 selvage at top, vivid shade, bright and fresh paper, Very Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Original gum, barest trace of previous hinge at bottom, with plate no. 126 selvage at top, bright shade, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins, deep shade and proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 P.F. certificate
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., with part imprint selvage at top, choice centering, bright color, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
4c Dark Brown (254). Original gum, barest trace of previous hinging, extra wide top and bottom margins, deep shade, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins, gorgeous rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1993 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Original gum, previously hinged, huge margins at top and bottom, exceptionally choice centering with wide perforated margins at sides, fresh color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE PAIR OF THE RARE UNWATERMARKED 5-CENT 1894 ISSUE 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. The unique unused block of nine with imprint and plate number, ex Col. Green collection, also originated from this find.
Ex Floyd. With 1993 and 2001 P.F. certificates
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright white paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 6-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only four have graded higher and only six others share this grade
8c Violet Brown (257). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on post-office fresh paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STRIKING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 UNWATERMARKED 8-CENT BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only one example has been graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report and only two others share this grade
10c Dark Green (258). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at left, uncommonly wide Jumbo margins, beautiful color on post office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. 10-CENT 1894 BUREAU ISSUE STAMPS ARE SELDOM FOUND WITH JUMBO MARGINS, ESPECIALLY IN MINT NEVER-HINGED POST OFFICE CONDITION.
With 1986 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo). Only three examples have been graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report to date and no others share this grade
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., deep rich color which is striking against the bright white paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
With 1991 and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90). Only two stamps have graded higher to date and only two others share this grade
50c Orange (260). Original gum, barest trace of previous hinge, bright shade, Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Bottom right corner sheet selvage block of six, three bottom stamps Mint N.H., bottom right stamp has a tiny gum disturbance in the corner mentioned on new P.S.E. certificate, which is so negligible they still call it Mint N.H., the same certificate also describes a trivial natural gum crease in lower right corner of the same stamp, which is barely noticeable (the P.F. certificate simply states "genuine, never hinged"), intense shade and impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER-MARGIN BLOCK OF SIX OF THE $1.00 TYPE II 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. MULTIPLES ARE VERY RARE, ESPECIALLY THOSE CONTAINING MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMPS.
According to Brookman, the Type II stamps, with circles complete around the bottom left denomination, were not discovered until several years after the stamp was issued. Its discoverer was the custodian of the stamp collection in the National Museum, who determined that the Type II stamps are found on only five rows of the plate. Brookman estimated that only 8,762 were distributed.
This multiple was separated from a larger block, originally containing the complete bottom two rows of the plate. The plate block currently resides in a private collection. Alan Whitman acquired this gem block privately.
With 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates. Scott Retail as singles.
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Mint N.H., beautiful color and detailed impression, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The higher-value 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue can be difficult to find in well-centered and sound condition, due to production problems. Mint Never-Hinged examples in superior grades, such as the stamp offered here, should be considered great condition rarities. This is one of four $2.00 1894 stamps we have offered in Mint Never-Hinged condition in the last 13 years, the other three having much inferior centering.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1984 and 1999 P.F. certificates. With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded to date (one other shares this grade).
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Mint N.H., with wide selvage at left, choice centering and balanced margins, beautiful deep rich color and incredibly detailed impression showing all of the finely-engraved lines in the background, bright and fresh paper, slight wrinkle in selvage onlyVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Without question, the $5.00 is the rarest of the 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue in sound, well-centered Mint Never-Hinged condition. It is unlikely that more than three or four Extremely Fine Mint N.H. examples exist.
Ward handstamp in selvage. With copy of 1993 P.F. certificate for block and 1999 P.F. certificate for single