Sale 904 — Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Saturday, 10 December, 2005
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H., detailed impression on white paper, almost perfectly centered with enormous margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2001 P.F. certificate for pair
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H., pretty pastel color on brilliant white paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2002 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H. with part imprint at left, rich color, perfect centering with well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp of great visual appeal
2c Pink, Ty. I (248). Mint N.H. with selvage at right, vibrant color, perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a spectacular stamp meeting the high standards for a Superb 98 grade, with 2000 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98)
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., intense shade, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT CARMINE LAKE TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2001 P.F. certificate and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Original gum, single hinge mark, rich color, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, unusually wide margins for this issue, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate for pair and 2005 P.S.E. certificate as single (XF-Superb 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H. with part imprint at left, brilliant color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H. with part imprint at left, brilliant color on bright paper, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF SCOTT 252 WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H. with part imprint at right, bright color and crisp impression contrasts nicely with bright paper, perfectly centered with enormous margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WE FEEL CONFIDENT IN STATING THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1894 3-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
With 1984 and 2002 P.F. certificates
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with balanced margins al aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2003 and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., deep shade, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1991 and 2002 P.F. certificates
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., brilliant color, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS CLEARLY ONE OF THE FINEST EXISTING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 1894 6-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The First Bureau Issue of 1894 was a rough start for the government printers given the task of producing postage stamps after the American Bank Note Company contract expired. After quickly altering the 1890 Issue dies by adding triangles, the Bureau started printing stamps on unwatermarked paper. The quality controls for perforating stamps were obviously not in place for the Bureau's first issue, and the stamps released are notorious among collectors for poor centering and unpunched perf holes.
Although the demand for other values was far greater, the 6c was actually the first value released by the Post Office Department (announced for July 1894; EDU 8/11/1894). Other values followed, beginning in September to as late as March 1895 (the 8c). Reviewing auction records of Scott 256, it is obvious that even when judged against normal standards, this stamp is exceptionally choice. Judged by the standards of the 1894 Issue, it is nothing less than a miraculous and fortuitous fluke of quality. We could find only one other (Sale 872, lot 706) that rivals this Gem.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green (258). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, difficult to find with such wide margins and in such exceptional condition, with 2005 P.F. certificate
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, unusually wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
In our description of lot 203 in this sale, the 1890 counterpart to the 15c 1894 Issue offered here, we pointed out the extraordinary beauty of this issue's design and deep blue color. The same comments apply to this First Bureau issue, with the added footnote regarding the notoriously poor quality of the Bureau's early effort in perforating stamps. This stamp stands out as one of the finest 15c 1894's in Mint N.H. condition.
With 1999 and 2004 P.F. certificates and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
50c Orange (260). Original gum, perfectly framed with enormous even margins all around, brilliant color and sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A FANTASTIC STAMP.
The stamp offered here has huge margins and centering comparable to the example offered in our Sale 829 (lot 582). That stamp, which was in Mint N.H. condition, realized $17,000 hammer.
With 2000 P.F. certificate and 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp proof-like impression, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1984 and 2005 P.F. certificates and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, choice centering with well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE II 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1995 and 2001 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, almost perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2000 P.S.E. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade on crisp paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE $2.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT STAMPS OF THE SERIES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.
Ex Floyd. With 1982 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, rich color on bright paper, extra wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS A RARE STAMP THAT IS SELDOM SEEN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND CHOICE CENTERING.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H., rich color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem
2c Carmine, Ty. I (265). Mint N.H., radiant color on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with copy of 1992 and with 2001 P.F. certificates and with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H. with part imprint at right, brilliant color, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Reddish Carmine, Ty. III (267 var). Mint N.H., unusually intense color, perfectly centered with wide margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of this color variety, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
3c Purple (268). Mint N.H., detailed impression, choice centering, post-office fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H. with plate no. at bottom, crisp impression, almost perfectly centered with well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, with 2003 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H., deep rich color, detailed impression, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H., bright color, almost perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H., pretty shade on bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
6c Dull Brown (271). Mint N.H., perfectly centered, pretty shade on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1894 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
8c Violet Brown (272). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on bright paper, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLES OF THE 1895 8-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, SCOTT 272, THAT WE HAVE EVER HANDLED.
With 2003 P.F. certificate and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H., rich color, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, a stamp of great visual appeal, with 2000 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green (273). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty pastel color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE AND FRESH MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 15-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 15-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
50c Orange (275). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, perfectly centered with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 50-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
50c Orange (275). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, brilliant color, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85)
$1.00 Black, Ty. I-II (276-276A). Horizontal pair with full imprint at bottom, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM COMBINATION PAIR OF THE TYPE I AND TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A HIGHLY DESIRABLE POSITION PIECE.
The plate of the $1.00 1894 Bureau Issue consisted of fifteen vertical rows of Type I and five vertical rows of Type II, which accounts for the scarcity of Type II compared with Type I. There are only ten positions on the plate which yield combination pairs. This pair, with the full imprint at bottom, is particularly desirable.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90)
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, unusually wide margins which are well-proportionedEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE SHADE.
With 1990 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the former describing it as Bright Blue and with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85)
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, almost perfectly centered with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1997 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Rich color on bright paper nicely contrasted by purple cancel, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate
1c Deep Green (279). Mint N.H. with plate no. at top, radiant color on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1992 P.F. certificate as strip of three and 2005 P.S.E. certificate as single (Superb 98)
2c Rose Carmine, Ty. III (279Bc). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, brilliant color, Extremely Fine, ex Floyd, with 1990 and 2003 P.F. certificates
2c Deep Red, Ty. III (279B var). Mint N.H. with part imprint at top, intense color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine example of this shade variety, with 2001 P.F. certificate
4c Orange Brown (280b). Mint N.H., deep rich color, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., intense color and detailed impression, perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. certificate and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
5c Dark Blue (281). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 409 block of six, deep rich color, almost perfectly centered throughoutEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP-MARGIN PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT 1898 ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
6c Lake (282). Mint N.H., brilliant color, perfectly centered with balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, one of the most difficult stamps of the series to obtain in such superb condition, with 2001 P.F. certificate and 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, scarce in such superb condition, , ex Floyd, with 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (283). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, radiant color, mathematically perfect centering with perfectly proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TYPE II 1898 BUREAU ISSUE.
Many stamps with selvage tend to be slightly off to the other side, so that the selvage will compensate for centering. This is not the case with the stamp offered here. Even if the selvage were removed, this stamp would maintain its appearance of perfect centering.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., pretty color with well-balanced margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF TH 15-CENT 1898 BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1996 P.F. certificate