Sale 958 — 2008 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 7 June, 2008
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issue
1c Blue, Die Essay on Semi-Glazed Paper (247-E2a var). 61 x 50mm, brilliant color, without pencil notation, small thin spot at top left and light creasing at right, otherwise Very Fine, scarce, this is the first example of this dual-design essay we have offered since keeping computerized records, ex Green
2c Pink, Ty. I (248). Mint N.H. complete pane of 100 with imprint and plate no. 20 at left and bottom and natural s.e. at top and right, fresh, "patchy" original gum as usually seen on this Scott number, four stamps at bottom small stains barely affecting one stamp in bottom plate block, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as two Mint N.H. plate blocks and Mint N.H. singles
50c Orange (260). Block of sixteen, Positions 1, 2, 4, 13 and 14 lightly hinged, eleven stamps Mint N.H., bright color except for trace of oxidation along top edge (three of them are hinged) that is not mentioned on accompanying certificate, generally choice centeringFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE AND HIGHLY EXHIBITABLE BLOCK OF SIXTEEN OF THE 1894 50-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as singles
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Block of four with selvage at right, intense shade and impression, lightly hingedVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Scott Catalogue assigns a paltry $400.00 premium over the price of four singles. This is probably because a block has not been offered in some time -- the last time we sold a block of four (which was rejoined) was in 1997.
With 1987 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Block of four, original gum, detailed impression, bright paperFINE-VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM BOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1985 P.F. certificate. Scott Catalogue assigns a meager $200.00 premium for a block of four versus four singles. A search of our database found very few blocks -- perhaps five or six unduplicated records.
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful deep shade, unusually choice centeringVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Scott Catalogue only assigns a $450.00 premium for a block versus four singles.
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Block of four, slightly disturbed original gum described on accompanying certificate as part original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, bottom right stamp small toned spot on one perf at topVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
The last block of four we offered was in 1998, which was regummed. Our computerized records do not contain a full plate block. The Scott Catalogue assigns a paltry $900.00 premium for the block versus four singles, which in no way reflects its rarity.
With 1972 P.F. certificate