Sale 1034 — The Merlin Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 28-29 November, 2012
Category — 1895-98 Bureau Issues (Scott 264-284)
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $850.00 as 98), only one has graded higher and none share this grade.
2c Carmine, Ty. I (265). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00), only three have graded higher
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Original gum, very lightly hinged, brilliant color, mathematically perfect centering, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $290.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded to this Scott number in any category (the highest Mint N.H. is 98) and it is the only example to achieve this grade
2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mint N.H., deep shade and detailed impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $900.00), only two have graded higher and only three others share this grade
3c Purple (268). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $290.00)
4c Dark Brown (269). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color and detailed impression, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $325.00 as 98), this is the highest grade possible on the grading chart and it is the only example to achieve it in any category, the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. stamp is a 98
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H., unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color, proof-like impression, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Whitman, with 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $825.00 as 95, $3,100.00 as 98), only four have graded higher and only seven others share this grade
6c Dull Brown (271). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty shade on crisp paper, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $920.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it
8c Violet Brown (272). Original gum, very lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, superior centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $510.00), only one has graded higher and none share this grade
10c Dark Green (273). Original gum, exceptionally wide margins all around, perfectly balanced and centered, rich color and proof-like impression, bright fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a marvelous example of this Bureau issue, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Superb 98; SMQ $825.00), only four OG examples have achieved a 98 grade (one N.H., three OGph/h)
15c Dark Blue (274). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and detailed impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $1,500.00), this is the highest grade awarded and one other shares it, a single Mint N.H. copy has been graded 100 and the next-highest in that category is a 95J
50c Orange (275). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, vibrant color, detailed impression, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1985, 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $445.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade and detailed impression, crisp paper, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it. The highest grade for a Mint N.H. example is also a 95 (one).
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Mint N.H., bright shade and detailed impression, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN THIS REMARKABLE POST-OFFICE FRESH CONDITION.
As an indication of rarity, we have only offered three other Mint N.H. examples of this issue since keeping computerized records. Of those, only one could be considered to have Extremely Fine centering.
Ex Scarsdale. With 2003 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $9,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. stamp, and this is the only example to achieve this grade. This statistic has not changed since our 2006 Scarsdale sale.
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and detailed impression, mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
The $2.00 Watermarked issue (Scott 277) was issued in significantly greater quantities than its unwatermarked counterpart (10,027 of Scott 262 versus 31,720 of Scott 277). However, the watermarked $2.00 is almost as difficult to find with superior centering; only seven have graded higher than 90 for both original gum and Mint N.H. copies.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $5,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded in any category and the only example to achieve it.
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, unusually choice centering, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,000.00). Only three have graded higher and four others share this grade.
2c Rose Carmine, Ty. IV (279Bc). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, crisp paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide margins all around, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 2-CENT TYPE IV ROSE CARMINE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT AND WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The Rose Carmine shade (offered here) should not be confused with its more common brethren in the more readily available shades. According to Brookman, "The really scarce shade of the 1898 2c is the Rose Carmine. It is a shade not too unlike the Pink of the 1861 Series except that it is considerably darker."
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $22,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade.
1c Deep Green (279). Mint N.H., brilliant color, crisp impression, beautiful centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,000.00), only two have graded higher
4c Rose Brown (280). Mint N.H., pretty shade, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
4c Lilac Brown (280a). Mint N.H., unusual shade with great visual appeal, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Morris and Whitman, with 1990, 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $650.00), only one has graded higher
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1990 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $725.00), only four have graded higher
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H., pretty color, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,300.00), only one has graded higher (at 100)
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H.., radiant color on bright paper, unusually wide margins for this issueEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 10-CENT BROWN TYPE I ISSUE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The 10c was changed from Green (Scott No. 273) to Brown because the 1c denomination (Scott No. 279) was changed to Green to meet the UPU color scheme.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1980, 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,100.00). Only two have graded higher and two others share this grade.
10c Orange Brown, Ty. II, Vertical Wmk. (283a). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed on crisp paper, mathematically perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 283a IS PROBABLY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. IT HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS ILLUSTRIOUS GRADE.
According to Brookman, the 10-cent Type II has the same type characteristics as the 1890 Issue, and so was likely made prior to Type I, which shows an altered die in the area of the circle surrounding the left denomination. In the 2007 Scott Specialized, the listings were clarified to include both the horizontal and vertical watermarks. In an article in the 2007 Scott Specialized, author Kenneth E. Diehl notes that the 10c stamps with vertical watermarks were printed from plates of 200 subjects, and were put on the presses in early 1902. The horizontal watermarked stamps (Scott 283) were printed from sheets of 400 stamps and were printed first.
It is curious to note that the vertical watermarked issue, Scott 283a, was printed after the 10c Trans-Mississippi and 10c Pan-American Issues, and only a short time before the 10c 1902 Issue, Scott 307, was printed (EDU March 12, 1903). We must therefore conclude that this issue was printed in limited quantities. The existence of this example in Gem 100 grade is truly remarkable.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100); unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $13,900.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it.
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., radiant color, proof-like impression, wide margins with almost mathematically perfect centering EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 15-CENT OLIVE GREEN ISSUE GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. AN EXTREME CONDITION RARITY.
Ex Whitman. With 1998 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $15,000.00). This is the only stamp to achieve this lofty grade in the P.S.E. Population Report, which is the highest awarded.