Sale 1277 — The Adventurer Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 7-8 March, 2023
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issue (Scott 246-284)
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., deep rich color, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H., huge margins and exceptional centering, vivid color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1980 P.F. and 2023 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,500.00), only four grade higher (highest is 98)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., deep rich color, extra wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., wonderful depth of color, balanced margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 1978 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green (258). Mint N.H. with wide top selvage, rich color, wide top and bottom margins, Very Fine, with 1979 P.F. certificate
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., strong and deep shade, outstanding centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate
50c Orange (260). Original gum, bright color, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1976 A.P.S. certificate
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, lightly hinged, perfectly centered with wide margins on all sides, intense shade and sharp proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING AND SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2002 P.F. and 2023 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $9,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a hinged Scott 261 and it is shared by only two others. For Mint N.H., one grades 98J and one grades 100.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1965 (for block of four) and 1997 P.F. certificates.
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, outstanding centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $2.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1995 and 2004 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, exceptional centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 were kept the same from the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems. Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00.
With 1993, 2001 P.F. and 2023 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $14,000.00).
1c Blue, Imperforate (264a). Mint N.H. pair with left sheet margin, large to full margins other sides, Very Fine and choice, with 1975 A.P.S. certificate, Scott value as hinged No. 246P5
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., deep rich color, balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1976 A.P.S. certificate
50c Red Orange (275a). Mint N.H., fiery color, beautifully centered, Extremely Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, lightly hinged, with bottom part imprint selvage, well-centered, Very Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Original gum, intense shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 1994 and 2004 P.F. certificates
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, exceptional centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN THE DARK BLUE SHADE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST AWARDED.
With 1983, 1993 P.F. and 2023 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $5,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only four others.
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, fresh color and well-centered, Very Fine and choice, ex Humphrey, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2c Rose Carmine, Ty. III (279Bc). Mint N.H., glowing color, Very Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
10c Brown, Ty. I (282C). Mint N.H., deep rich color, choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. certificate
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., deep rich color, beautifully centered with balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1977 P.F. certificate