Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1890-93 Issue (Scott 219-229)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
195
1c Dull Blue (219). Deep shade on bright paper, beautiful centering, unobtrusive strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $325.00), only two have graded higher and two others share this grade
0
325
196
2c Lake (219D). Rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $550.00), only two have graded higher (at 98J)
5
375
Back to Top197
2c Carmine, Cap on Left "2" (220a). Intense "Lipstick Red" color on bright fresh paper, perfectly balanced Jumbo margins, clear strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $200.00 as 95, $600.00 as 98), only two have graded higher and none share this grade
11
0
Back to Top198
3c Purple (221). Rich color on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, bold strike of Philadelphia registry oval, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $525.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and one other shares it
9
850
Back to Top199
4c Dark Brown (222). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, rich color, bold strike of oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $175.00 as 95, $450.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 98J) and only one other shares this grade
4
350
Back to Top200
5c Chocolate (223). Pretty shade on bright paper, cork cancel, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $525.00), only one has graded higher (at 98J) and one other shares this grade
4
375
Back to Top201
6c Brown Red (224). Intense shade and impression, unusually wide margins, bold strike of quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, this is a difficult stamp to find in superb used condition -- in fact, of all 1890 Issue denominations, this is the only one that has not been graded 98, or even 95, in used condition -- with 2005 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $140.00 as 90, unpriced as 95), this is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it
25
225
Back to Top202
8c Lilac (225). Choice centering with Jumbo margins all around, rich color, bold strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $300.00 as 95, $740.00 as 98), only two have graded higher and two others share this grade
17
450
Back to Top203
10c Green (226). Mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, long and full perforations all around, deep rich color, bold strike of duplex cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS WONDERFUL STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING CHART.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $525.00 as 98), this is the highest grade possible and the only example to attain it.
4
800
Back to Top204
15c Indigo (227). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, beautiful centering with Jumbo margins, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $300.00 as 95, unpriced as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it
27
425
Back to Top205
30c Black (228). Intense shade, Jumbo margins, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $165.00 as 90, $425.00 as 95), only three have graded higher
40
225
Back to Top206
90c Orange (229). Vivid color, perfect centering, unobtrusive strike of registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1890 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2006 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,850.00). This is the highest grade awarded and one of two to achieve it (the other offered in our Kirke sale)
150
700
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