Sale 968A — The Alan B. Whitman Collection, Part Two: 1870-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 April, 2009
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., wide margins, gorgeous dark shade and proof-like impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1995 P.F. certificate
2c Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., vibrant color on post-office fresh paper, exceptional centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1990 and 1997 P.F. certificates and 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98). Only one example has graded higher to date
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H. with imprint and wide selvage at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
With 1996 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95). Only four have graded higher to date
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H., rich color, marvelous impression, Extremely Fine, with 1993 and 1996 P.F. certificates
8c Trans-Mississippi, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (289a). Original gum, lightly hinged, incl. sheet margin at top, few light natural gum bends -- much less noticeable than usually found on all existing pairsEXTREMELY FINE CENTERING AND SUPERB FRESH CONDITION. ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE EXAMPLES OF THE ONLY MAJOR ERROR OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Datz states that 25 pairs are known. We have only offered one other since 2002.
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H., bright shade and detailed impression, balanced Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H. with wide selvage and plate no. 603 at bottom, rich color, proof-like impression on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1998 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., deep shade and remarkably detailed impression on post-office fresh paper, balanced Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN CALLED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DESIGN IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
With 1992 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE. THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SOUND, CENTERED AND MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION. A GORGEOUS STAMP.
With 1982 P.F. certificate