Sale 978 — The Beverly Hills Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Friday, 4 December, 2009
Category — Columbian Issue
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., perfect centering with rich vibrant color, detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $1,200.00), only four have graded higher
2c Columbian, Broken Hat (231 var.). Mint N.H., beautiful rich shade, choice centering with Jumbo margins, clear impression, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $285.00 as 95, $1,250.00 as 98), this is the highest graded broken hat variety we have offered to date
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., choice centering, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $530.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., radiant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfect centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
1996 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). Only four have graded higher to date out of 231 Mint N.H. stamps in the P.S.E. Population Report.
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., deep rich color and clear impression, perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). Only six have graded higher to date.
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE.
1998 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $15,700.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,650.00)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, almost perfect centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,500.00). Only two have graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report.
$2.00 Columbian (242). Brilliant color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins all around, neat strikes of New York registry oval cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS BEAUTIFUL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,100.00). Only two have graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report.
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, warm color, almost perfect centering on post office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB $3.00 COLUMBIAN WITH LIGHTLY-HINGED ORIGINAL GUM, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,300.00). Only three have graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report.
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautifully centered with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,300.00). Only three have graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report.
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid color on bright paper, beautifully centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $7,100.00). Only three have graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report.
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Original gum, beautiful warm color on fresh paper, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBAN IN THE ROSE CARMINE SHADE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $7,100.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date in any category in the P.S.E. Population Report and only two others share this grade.
$5.00 Columbian (245). From the lower right corner of the pane with full corner sheet margins, original gum, lightly hinged, perfect centering, intense shade and proof-like impression, we must note that the perfs between stamp and selvage at right are slightly reinforced, a small natural wood fiber inclusion on back, small thin spot at extreme edge of right selvage -- none of these have any bearing on the grade of the stampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING CORNER SHEET-MARGIN, ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
For many collectors, acquisition of the $5.00 Columbian represents the ultimate achievement in classic philately. When issued in 1893, this was the highest denomination and first $5.00 United States stamp. The high total face value of the dollar value Columbians represented a very significant expense to collectors and therefore sales were slow. This stamp, with its perfect centering and corner margin selvage is a fitting capstone to a superb set of Columbians.
From our 1988 Rarities of the World sale as a horizontal pair. With 1993 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $15,700.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date in the P.S.E. Population Report in any category and only two others share this grade.