Sale 1116 — United States Stamps and Possessions
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 16-17 December, 2015
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-278)
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H. with plate no. 2 selvage at left, intense color which is probably the Dark Ultramarine sub-shade (but not noted as such on accompanying certificates), perfectly centered with enormous margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Scarsdale", with 2000 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,450.00), only seven stamps have graded higher
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00)
10c Dark Green (258). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-proportioned margins, detailed impression, Extremely Fine, ex "Laila", with 1989 and 2009 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 52 strip of three, deep dark color and proof-like impression on bright paper, faint natural gum bend at bottom of left stamp, right stamp with perf disc indentation, Fine-Very Fine
50c Orange (260). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, attractive margins and centering, Very Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (VF 80)
50c Orange (260). Block of four, top pair with slightly disturbed original gum, bottom pair faintly hinged, vivid shade and impression, Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, h.r., handsomely centered, faint trace of toning at top, minute thin speck, Very Fine appearance
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, lightly hinged, vivid rich color on bright paper, Very Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, well-centered, deep rich color on bright paperFRESH AND VERY FINE SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF 80; SMQ $4,500.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H., perfect centering with wide margins, vivid color on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1895 TY. II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2000 and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded in the P.S.E. Population Report to a Mint N.H. example and it is shared by only four others
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H. left imprint and plate no. 170 block of six, brilliant color, top left stamp light natural gum bend, Fine
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., wonderful depth of color, well-centered, fresh paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2013 P.S.E. and 2014 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
15c Dark Blue (274). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, well-centered, deep rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 1999, 2009 P.F. (XF 90) and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
15c Dark Blue (274). Beautifully centered, deep rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $450.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, choice centering with balanced margins, intense shade and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, h.r., deep rich color, fresh and Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Deep rich color and detailed impression on bright white paper, essentially perfect centering, unobtrusive registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The $5.00 was usually heavily cancelled or used on heavy parcels which were not treated kindly. The example offered here, with gorgeous centering, rich color, bright paper and an attractive cancel, is a true rarity.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,900.00). Only five have graded higher.
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Intense shade and impression, unobtrusive strike of registry oval cancel, fresh and Very Fine