Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)
1c-15c 1894-95 Bureau Issue (246-250, 252-255, 259). 20 stamps, all except two Mint N.H., an excellent shade study showing distinct differences in the same Scott number, including Nos. 246 (3), 247 (2), 248 (2), 249, 250 (3), 252 (3), 253 (2), 254, 255 (2) and 259, the 249 and 259 lightly hinged, seven with imprint or plate no. selvage, centering much better than normally seen, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Catalogue lists sub-shades for most Scott numbers (such as Ultramarine, Dark Ultramarine and Bright Ultramarine for No. 245), this group does an admirable job of demonstrating the various shades and would be difficult to duplicate, No. 259 with 1997 P.F. certificate
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1c Blue (247). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 ONE-CENT BLUE ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2022 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others. This is the first in this grade we have offered since our 2012 Merlin sale.
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 101 selvage, rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). With top plate no. 25 selvage, bright color, unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 124 selvage, also showing clear stitch watermark, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00 with no premium for the stitch watermark)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H. with left plate no. 126 selvage, brilliant color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., precise centering on post-office fresh paper, bright color, Extremely Fine, ex Minervino, with 1992 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00), this looks undergraded to us
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
2c-6c 1894-95 Issue Imperforate (253P5, 267P5, 268P5, 270P5, 271P5). Pairs, original gum, 3c watermark with right sheet margin, all have four large margins and are Very Fine
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5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., bright color, absolutely enormous margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1983 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (255c). Original gum, bright color, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM 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.
Ex Liberman. With 1990 P.F. certificate for strip of three
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., pretty shade, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine
8c Violet Brown (257). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine
8c Violet Brown (257). Mint N.H., proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1989 P.F. certificate for pair
10c Dark Green (258). Mint N.H., with left part imprint selvage, choice centering with unusually wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., with wide top plate no. 52 selvage, deep rich color with unusual plate wash most noticeable at lower left, bright paper, wide margins, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Morris, with 1989 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered with massive margins all around, intense shade and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STAMP OF TRULY MASSIVE PROPORTIONS.
Ex Merlin. With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $4,000.00). Only three grade higher (one at 98, two at 98J) and only five others share this grade.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Mint N.H. with right part arrow selvage, intense shade and impression on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE PART ARROW MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 UNWATERMARKED TYPE II BUREAU ISSUE.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 were kept the same from the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems.
Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00.. Examples with selvage are particularly desirable as the lack of watermark is far more obvious. We have not offered another Mint N.H. example graded 90 or higher since 2009.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $14,500.00). Only two Mint N.H. examples grade higher (at 95 and 95J) and only four others share this grade.
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, single hinge mark, wonderful intense color, unusually wide margins for this issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
Ex Merlin. With 2000 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,250.00). Only three grade higher (at 95J) and three others share this desirable grade. This is the only example at this grade we have offered. For comparison purposes, the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is XF 90 (two at that grade).
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 were kept the same from the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems. Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $21,000.00). Only four others share this grade and only one grades higher. Collectors waiting for a Mint N.H. example in higher grades will have a very long wait -- the highest grade awarded thus far to a Mint N.H. copy is 80.