Sale 1090 — United States, Possessions and Confederate States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 17-19 December, 2014
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-284)
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H. with left part imprint selvage, brilliant color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $500.00)
1c Ultramarine (246). Original gum, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, vibrant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning and superb stamp, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $595.00 for 100 grade), no other Scott 246 has been graded above 98J in any condition category -- used, previously hinged or Mint N.H.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Mint N.H., sharp impression, Fine, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Block of four, original gum, h.r. where few perf separations sensibly reinforced, rich color, natural gum bends and creases not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Very few blocks remain intact, as most have been broken to feed collector demand for singles. We have offered only two others, both with similar centering, in over a decade.
Ex Frelinghuysen. With 2012 P.F. certificate
3c Purple (268). Mint N.H. with bottom part imprint selvage, rich color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, ex Westchester, with 1998 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Clear "R" watermark, three large to huge margins, rich color, oval numeral grid cancel, few unpunched or short perfs at top, appears simply to be a production defect rather than damage, faint corner creaseFINE CENTERING. A RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1895 "USIR" WATERMARK ERROR. ONLY 29 ARE KNOWN TO US.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Our updated census of this issue, published at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/271a/271a.pdf , records only 27 used copies certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, plus two uncertified copies. Eighteen of those certified do not specify which letter is present. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design.
Census No. 271a-CAN-25. Signed Sloane and with 2010 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Block of four, original gum, h.r., detailed impression, right stamps light natural gum bend, bottom left stamp tiny thin spot, Fine-Very Fine and attractive block, ex Frelinghuysen, with 2012 P.F. certificate not mentioning the gum bend
$2.00 Dark Blue, Imperforate (277b). Wide left arrow block of four, large margins all around, original gum, deep rich color, top left stamp thin spotVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM MARGIN BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE IMPERFORATE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Whitpain. With 2010 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as normal block of four
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Block of four, slightly disturbed original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, bottom right stamp small toned spot on one perf at top not mentioned on accompanying certificatesVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.
Apart from the block sold in the Whitpain collection (Siegel 977), this is the only other block of four we have offered in the past ten years. Only one full plate block exists. The Scott Catalogue assigns a paltry $1,000.00 premium for the block versus four singles, which in no way reflects its rarity.
With 1972 and 2008 P.F. certificates
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., incredibly fresh color on bright white paper, wonderfully well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates