Sale 1019 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 1-2 March, 2012
Category — $1.00-$5.00 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 241-245)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, fresh and Fine, with copy of 2004 P.F. certificate for plate block of ten
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, choice centering with wide and well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 1993 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,225.00). Only two have graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report, both at 98
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, minor h.r., rich color, trivial toned speck at lower left in margin, still Fine and attractive
$1.00 Columbian (241). Horizontal pair, bright color, attractive margins, tied by 1894 Philadelphia duplex cancel on piece, Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles
$1.00 Columbian (241). Block of four, rich color, attractive centering, light strikes of double-circle datestamp cancel, top right stamp couple tiny thin spotsFINE-VERY FINE. A LIGHTLY-CANCELLED AND RARE USED BLOCK OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
This and the following high-denomination used blocks are from an old-time collection and have never before appeared at auction. A Power Search of our Rarities sales and our auctions for the past 16 years yielded only four other used blocks of four of the $1.00.
$1.00-$5.00 Columbian (241-245). Complete set of the dollar values, nice range of cancels incl. $1.00 with two strikes of bold "World's Fair Sta. Chicago Aug. 11 4 PM" duplex, $3.00 and $5.00 with registry ovals, $4.00 tied to small piece by Allegheny Pa. circular datestamp, couple small flaws, Fine-Very Fine appearance, attractive set
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, barely hinged, wide balanced margins with part imprint selvage at bottom, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY-HINGED PART IMPRINT EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Columbian (242). Perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, deep rich color on bright paper, neat strike of "New York Jan. 15 2:30 PM 94" circular datestamp, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONLY ONE OTHER HAS ACHIEVED THIS GRADE.
The $2.00 is one of the most difficult of all dollar-value Columbians to obtain in such superb condition. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $7,700.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and one of only two to achieve this grade. The other is currently part of the "Natalee Grace" Collection, available for collectors to view at the Exhibits section of our website.
$2.00 Columbian (242). Block of four, centrally struck target cancel and still retaining much of its original gum, fresh color, Fine, a rare used block, a Power Search review encompassing all our Rarities sales plus 16 years of auctions found only four other used blocks of the $2.00
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, choice margins and essentially perfectly centered, marvelous deep colorEXTREMELY FINE. ONLY A TINY FRACTION OF THE SURVIVING ORIGINAL-GUM $3.00 COLUMBIAN STAMPS ARE AVAILABLE IN THIS SUPERIOR GRADE.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,800.00). Only three examples have graded higher to date
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Rich color, wide and well-balanced margins, neat strike of circular datestamp at lower left leaves design clearly visible, tiny natural inclusion in right margin, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1987 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Block of four, choice centering with nicely balanced margins throughout, light strikes of oval registry cancel, light natural paper wrinkle top left stamp and couple small thin spots bottom left stamp, few minor perf separationsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE USED BLOCK OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
This and the other high denomination used blocks in this section are from an old-time collection and have never before appeared at auction. Used blocks of the dollar-value Columbians are rare, and those with registry cancels indicating proper use on mail are exceedingly rare. A Power Search of our Rarities sales and our auctions for the past 16 years yielded only four other used blocks of four of the $3.00.
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, h.r., brilliant color on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Original gum, barest faint trace of hinging, brilliant colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE ROSE CARMINE SHADE.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Block of four, vivid color, four bold strikes of New York oval registry cancel, also single stroke of blue crayon and small bit of orange cancel top left stamp, attractive centering with margins clear on all stamps, top pair with couple light creases, bottom right stamp tiny thin spot, hinge slivers reinforce some minor perf separations at edgesVERY FINE APPEARING AND EXTREMELY RARE USED BLOCK OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN.
This and the other high denomination used blocks in this section are from an old-time collection and have never before appeared at auction. Used blocks of the dollar-value Columbians are rare, and those with registry cancels indicating proper use on mail are exceedingly rare. A Power Search of our past Rarities sales and our auctions of the past 16 years shows that this is only the fourth used block of the $4.00 we have offered in that time.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Ample to wide margins, bold strike of duplex cancel, Fine
$5.00 Columbian (245). Block of four, bold strikes of Philadelphia oval registry cancel, small thin spot top right and small sealed tear bottom left stamps, bottom right stamp perfs trimmed at bottom, significant reinforced perf separations horizontal row and between two bottom stampsFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND AFFORDABLE USED BLOCK OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Used blocks of the dollar-value Columbians are rare, and those with registry cancels indicating proper use on mail are exceedingly rare. A Power Search of our past Rarities sales and our auctions of the past 16 years shows that this is only the fourth used block of the $5.00 we have offered in that time