Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — Columbian Issue
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., brilliant color and crisp impression, mathematically perfect centering, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $7,200.00 as 98)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., rich color, proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE HAS ACHIEVED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 FROM P.S.E.
With 2005 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $9,100.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 100J) and this is the only example to achieve this coveted grade.
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., rich color, beautiful impression showing every detailed line of this marvelous engraving, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins on all four sidesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE, AND ONLY TWO EXAMPLES HAVE ACHIEVED THIS PERFECT GRADE. IT IS A KEY TO A SET OF HIGH-GRADE COLUMBIANS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ISSUES IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
The scene depicted on the 30c is based on the story that Columbus stopped at the convent at Santa Maria de La Rabida on his way to France after being rejected at the Spanish Court. The friar of the convent, after hearing his plan, persuaded him to stay. While at the convent he gained support from some of the more important people in the neighborhood and, his faith renewed, decided to apply for aid from the Spanish court once again, where he was successful. This marked a turning-point in his struggles for financial backing.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $24,500.00 as 98).
$1.00 Columbian (241). Top imprint and plate no. 93 block of six, original gum, few stamps Mint N.H. or barely hinged, deep rich color, right stamp few flaws incl. vertical creaseFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
This is especially desirable from the top position. All of the plate blocks contained in Power Search were from the bottom positions.
$2.00 Columbian (242). Brilliant color and crisp impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, neat strike of purple New York registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,800.00). Only two have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.
$3.00 Columbian (243). Block of four, original gum, very lightly hinged, radiant color on crisp paper, bottom left stamp small natural inclusionFINE-VERY FINE. A REMARKABLY FRESH LIGHTLY-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Most blocks that are this fresh have been broken to satisfy collector demand for attractive singles.
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, lightly hinged, with plate no. 106 and part imprint selvage at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE IN ANY CATEGORY.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $11,700.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date in either shade and in any category, and only two others share this grade. The highest grade thus far for a Mint N.H. stamp is a 95.
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-proportioned marginsFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE.
With 1995 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $17,400.00). Only two have graded higher to date (both 95) and only one other shares this grade.