Sale 1010 — 2011 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 18 June, 2011
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues
5c Black, Large Die Essay of Portrait and Vignette on India (255-E1). Two pieces of India approximately 42 x 54mm, laid on top of one another and affixed to 53 x 71mm piece of wove paper, top India is of frame only with portrait cut out and American die imprint, bottom India is portrait only with no printed vignette, the India paper components hinged into place, light diagonal crease does not affect designVERY FINE. THE UNIQUE COMPOSITE ESSAY OF THE 5-CENT BUREAU ISSUE, COMBINING THE FRAME OF THE 5-CENT AND AN UNADOPTED DESIGN OF GEORGE WASHINGTON FOR THE VIGNETTE. A WONDERFUL RARITY.
The 5c stamps of both the earlier 1890 Issue and also the later Bureau Issue depict Ulysses S. Grant. The portrait used here of George Washington, which is a three-quarter portrait facing left, is similar to those used for earlier 1851 12c, 1855 10c and others of the 1861-66 Issue, but is more elaborate. It is also more elaborate than that used for the later 2c 1902 Issue, Scott 301.
With 2010 P.F. certificate
50c Green, Large Die Essay on India (260-E2). On 70 x 115mm card with full die sinkage, deep rich color, with denomination changed from the 30c of the 1890 Issue to 50c but without triangles added to the cornersVERY FINE. THIS REMARKABLE ESSAY FOR THE 50-CENT DENOMINATION, WITHOUT TRIANGLES AT THE TOP IS LIKELY UNIQUE. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
The design from the 30c 1890 Issue was extensively reworked for the new 50c stamp, with the portrait of Jefferson almost completely re-engraved. Also part of the circular lines around the denominations at bottom extend into the ovals, as in the 1898 10c Type II.
Newly listed in Scott. Ex Earl of Crawford and Whitpain
50c Black, Large Die Trial Color Proof on India (260TC1). On 146 x 196mm card with full die sinkage, manuscript "This stamp to be printed in Orange -- Approved by P.O.D. Aug. 30th 1894, Wesley R. Davis U.S.P.S.A.", trace of presentation binding at leftVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS SIGNED LARGE DIE PROOF, WITH THE POST OFFICE APPROVAL, IS UNIQUE. A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION ITEM.
Ex Whitpain
$1.00 Dark Indigo Blue, Large Die Essay on India (261-E4). 48 x 109mm, rich color, without triangles but with denomination engraved, small toned spot at top clear of design, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare essay, ex Brazer and Whitpain
$1.00 Blue Green, Large Die Essay on India (261-E4A). On 67 x 122mm card with full die sinkage, with triangles at corners but also with unusual white horizontal space above each numeral at bottom, intense colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE FIRST ESSAY FOR THE $1.00 VALUE TO SHOW TRIANGLES AT TOP AND WITH THE DENOMINATION MOSTLY ENGRAVED. A GREAT RARITY.
This essay is newly listed in Scott and falls between Nos. 261-E4 (which displays the same characteristic but no corner triangles) and 261-E5 (which has the triangles and displays the finished denomination). Ex Earl of Crawford and Whitpain
5c Chocolate, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Mint N.H. vertical pair, small natural gum creases, full to large marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIR OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU 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 surviving multiples of this First Bureau Issue perforation error are usually hinged (all have typical gum creases) and some have no gum. This is arguably the finest pair extant, by virtue of both centering and its Mint N.H. gum.
With 2010 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green, Imperforate (278a). Block of four with horizontal guide line, original gum, lightly hinged, large even margins all around, intense color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE IMPERFORATE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Only 100 were printed, and most have been separated into pairs. This is the first block we have offered outside of a complete set since at least 1992.
With 1981 P.F. certificate