Sale 1163 — The Clipper City Collection of Superb U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday, 19 September, 2017
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)
1894-1902 Bureau Issues, Choice Balance. Seven stamps on a stock card, all but two Mint N.H., one 1890 Small Bank Note No. 220 (Mint N.H., PFC), graded Bureau Issues Nos. 248 (OGph, 95), 270 (Mint N.H., 90), 274 (OGph, 80), 280b, (Mint N.H., 90), 300 (Mint N.H., 95) and 302 (Mint N.H., P.S.E.), fresh and Extremely Fine balance, total SMQ not counting Nos. 220 and 302 $1,060.00
1c Ultramarine (246). Original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color on crisp paper, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a stamp of massive proportions, ex Merlin, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00)
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H., rich color on crisp paper, beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1994 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,100.00), only three have graded higher (all 95J) and only five others share this grade
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., vibrant color on post-office fresh paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 and 2013 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright white paper, Jumbo margins and precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00), only three have graded higher
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright white paper, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT TYPE II 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1996 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., vibrant color, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, tiny natural inclusion not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 2-CENT TYPE III UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Curtis. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,250.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and two others share this desirable grade.
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, wonderfully well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 3-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,250.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and seven others share this grade
4c Dark Brown (254). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide balanced margins, rich color and clear impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $475.00)
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., wonderful depth of color on bright paper, Jumbo margins and well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 2011 (for a block) and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00)
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 6-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Beckley and "Hanover". With 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,200.00). We are surprised this did not receive a Jumbo designation. Only four have graded higher (two 95J and two 98).
8c Violet Brown (257). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED FIRST BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1996 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,600.00). Only one Mint N.H. example has been graded higher (at 98) and only three others share this grade
15c Dark Blue (259). Original gum, wide margins and well-centered, intense color, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $500.00)
50c Orange (260). Mint N.H., beautiful wide margins and choice centering, pristine color, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine, with 1982 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $2,800.00)
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, wide margins and exceptionally well-centered, beautiful impression and deep shade on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-DOLLAR TYPE I 1894 FIRST BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Merlin. With 2006 P.F. (XF-Superb 95) and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,350.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-DOLLAR TYPE II 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $4,000.00). Only five have graded higher (highest is 98)
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, wide and beautifully balanced margins, rich color on bright paper, full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Laehder. With 1987, 2012 and 2016 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum which is slightly disturbed from hinge removal, deep rich color, well-centered with particularly wide margins at top and bottomVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1981, 2013 P.F. (as "disturbed o.g. from hinge removal") and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (as "hinged")