Sale 1179 — United States and Possessions
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 March, 2018
Category — $1.00-$5.00 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 241-245)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, with part imprint selvage at right, wonderful depth of color, well-centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Slightly disturbed original gum, rich color, beautifully centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1990 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (DOG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,800.00 as original gum)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, Fine, with 1986 Pinchot certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, barely hinged, brilliant color, trivial natural inclusions, Fine
$1.00 Columbian (241). Beautifully centered with balanced margins, rich color, neat strike of Hoboken N.J. circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED $1.00 COLUMBIAN.
Ex Bowman. With 2000 P.F., 2008 and 2018 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,600.00). Only one grades higher (at 95J) and only five others share this desirable grade.
$1.00 Columbian (241). Wide margins and well-centered, fresh bright color, corner strike of circular datestamp cancel leaves the central vignette fully visible, Extremely Fine, a lovely $1.00 Columbian
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully centered with wide margins, bright color, Extremely Fine, with 2018 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $1,850.00)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, rich color and detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, single hinge mark at top, rich color, outstanding centering with wide and balanced margins, small natural straw fiber inclusion at bottom, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1987 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, crisp impression, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Columbian (242). Unused (no gum), detailed impression, outstanding margins and centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1987 P.F. (as used) and 2018 P.S.E. certificates (Unused NG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, nicely centered, pretty color, Very Fine, with 1986 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, h.r., bright shade, three wide margins, Fine
$3.00 Columbian (243). Attractive margins and centering, neat strike of town datestamp, brilliant color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2002 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Rich color, attractive margins and centering, Milton Fla. circular datestamp cancel, Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, fresh and Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Beautifully centered, rich color, neat registry oval cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; $1,425.00)
$4.00 Columbian (244). Well-centered, bright color, New York registry oval cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2009 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
Ex Minervino. With 1999 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, h.r., well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, Brun backstamp
$5.00 Columbian (245). Unused, accompanying certificate states regummed (we are not convinced), three wide margins, tiny tear at bottom left, appears Very Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as no gum
$5.00 Columbian (245). With bottom letter "D D" selvage, disturbed original gum, h.r. (we would have called it slightly disturbed), detailed impression, few perf separations at bottom sensibly reinforced (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (DOG, F 70; SMQ $1,200.00 as original gum and $500.00 as no gum)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, intense shade, Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Remarkably well-centered with balanced margins, bold color and proof-like impression, lightly cancelledEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HANDSOME USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN, WHICH IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. This denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is lightly cancelled and has balanced margins.
P.S.E. Encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00). Only two examples grade higher (both 98, one ex "Natalee Grace" and the other offered in Siegel Sale 1140, Lot 638).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Attractive margins and centering, intense shade, face-free strike of duplex cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate