Sale 1162 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 25-26 July, 2017
Category — 1881-83 American Bank Note Co. Issues (Scott 205-218)
5c Yellow Brown (205). Original gum, barely hinged, well-centered, rich color, Extremely Fine
5c Yellow Brown (205). Crisp impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, neat duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $350.00)
6c Rose (208). Original gum, barely hinged, radiant color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1882 RE-ENGRAVED 6-CENT ROSE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS MARVELOUS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE IS GRADED HIGHER.
Despite being the major Scott listing, the Rose shade is far rarer than the Brown Red sub-shade, Scott 208a. Power Search located only one Mint N.H. example offered in our sales since 1993, and that is off-center with perfs almost touching the design. We have offered no multiples with Mint N.H. stamps. The online records of The Philatelic Foundation contain only two in Mint N.H. condition, but we doubt they would even grade 90. For the collector who values centering, a hinged copy is all there is.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,525.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98, realized $7,500 in our April 2016 "Hanover" sale) and only six others share this desirable grade. This is the first example in this grade we have offered.
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
10c Black Brown (209b). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, light strike of violet target cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $475.00)
4c Blue Green (211). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide and balanced margins, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00)
4c Carmine (215). Mint N.H., radiant color, Very Fine and choice, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
5c Indigo (216). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $750.00)
30c Orange Brown (217). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $950.00)
90c Purple (218). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, wide margins, Very Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
90c Purple (218). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, Very Fine, with 1977 P.F. certificate