Sale 1234 — The Gary Petersen Collection of Important United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 29-30 April, 2021
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H. right pane of 50 with top and bottom imprint and plate no. 599 blocks of six, right arrow selvage, remarkably fresh and intact, vibrant color with just a hint of oxidation at right edge of five stamps in right columnVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED COMPLETE PANE OF 50 OF THE 4-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
The iconic engraving on the 4c Trans-Mississippi, depicting a Native American hunting a buffalo, was based on a larger engraving by Captain Seth Eastman, a U.S. Army officer and artist who was known for depictions of the Old West. The larger engraving originally appeared in one of Henry R. Schoolcraft’s volumes on the history of Indian tribes, published in 1854. Next to the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi, the 4c is considered by many to be the most beautiful design of the series. This Mint N.H. pane is a magnificent showpiece.
From our 2006 Rarities of the World sale. Scott value $19,040.00 as two Mint N.H. plate blocks and 38 singles
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Right pane of 50 with top and bottom imprint and plate no. 602 blocks of six, arrow selvage at right, original gum with more than 40 stamps Mint N.H., the bottom half of the pane particularly well-centered, significant perf separations throughout the pane including in both plate blocks, bottom right stamp of bottom plate block with heavy partially broken creaseFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE COMPLETE PANE OF 50 OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Scott value approximately $13,000.00 as two hinged plate blocks and singles (mostly Mint N.H.)
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. right pane of 50 with imprint and plate no. 643 blocks of six at top and bottom, arrow selvage at right and half-arrows guideline at left, stamps Mint N.H., just a single h.r. in the gummed selvage at right not affecting either plate block, absolutely fresh and pristineFINE-VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED PANE OF 50 OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. THIS IS THE FIRST WE HAVE OFFERED IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
Scott value $27,340.00 as two Mint N.H. plate blocks and singles
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Block of four, original gum, bottom right stamp Mint N.H., tiny h.r. between left pair, Fine, Scott value as singles
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Top imprint and plate no. 603 block of four, unused (regummed), rich color, some perf separations expertly reinforcedFINE-VERY FINE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Scott value as with original gum
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Bottom imprint and plate no. 606 block of four, original gum, detailed impression, few perf separations sensibly reinforced with hinge slivers, top right stamp faint diagonal crease, bottom right stamp small natural gum wrinkle and small thin spotFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE PLATE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
The $1.00 stamp issued for the Trans-Mississippi Exposition was based on an image of cattle in a storm in an engraving by C. O. Murray, a copy of which was loaned to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing by Mrs. C. B. Johnson. The engraving was used as a trademark by an American cattle company, but the image originated in an oil painting by J. A. MacWhirter entitled "The Vanguard", which depicts cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland. The Post Office Department was embarrassed when the painting was identified as the property of the Lord Blysworth, who was sent a formal apology and philatelic memento through the British Ambassador. The memento, a proof item, was donated to by Lord Blysworth to The Royal Philatelic Society London, where it resides today.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Top imprint and plate no. 613 block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, selvage reduced somewhat from original size, few perf separations, small faint thin at lower rightFINE-VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE FROM THE TOP POSITION.
The design of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi depicts the Eads bridge, which spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The original engraving was used on the admission ticket to the Republican Convention of 1896, which nominated William McKinley as candidate for president. The stamp, issued during the McKinley Administration, illustrates the natural boundary between East and West and so was appropriate for the Trans-Mississippi Issue. All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898.
There are perhaps three imprint and plate number blocks of six in existence. The imprint and plate number block of four format is also extremely scarce, especially from the top position.