Sale 1140 — Outstanding United States Stamps, featuring The Irwin Weinberg Inventory
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 9-11 November, 2016
Category — 1879-88 American Bank Note Co. Issues (Scott 182-218)
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Enormous Jumbo margins, almost mathematically perfect centering, rich color, cork and circular datestamp cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $850.00), this is the highest grade awarded
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Astonishingly wide margins at the sides, neat magenta target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $90.00), the grade on this stamp does not adequately convey its enormous proportions or its beautiful cancel
2c Vermilion (183). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, choice centering and margins, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (90 ogPH)
2c Vermilion (183). Jumbo margins and precise centering, bright color, perfect strike of "11" in four-concentric-circles cancel with part of circular datestamp cancel at left edge, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $300.00), only six have graded higher, none we have offered at or above this grade are as attractively cancelled
2c Vermilion (183). Enormous margins and outstanding centering, fresh color, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $300.00), only six have graded higher
3c Green (184). Exceptional Jumbo margins and beautifully centered, deep rich color, large "X" in circle handstamp cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a massive stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $200.00), accompanied by a note from former master grader William Litle stating "95J hardly does this justice", a sentiment with which we agree
5c Blue (185). Jumbo margins and precise centering, rich color, bold open bars cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $525.00)
10c Brown, Without Secret Mark (187). Original gum, rich color, reperfed at left, Fine appearance
15c Red Orange (189). Mint N.H., attractively centered with nicely balanced margins, vivid color, Very Fine and choice, with 1988 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates
15c Red Orange (189). Jumbo margins and exceptionally well-centered, glowing color, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00), only five have graded higher
30c Full Black (190). Wide margins and precise centering, classic intense color of this 1879 American Bank Note Co. Issue, duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2005 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
5c Yellow Brown (205). Jumbo margins and well-centered, barely cancelled, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00)
7c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (196). Without gum as issued, bright color, two small thin spots at center and top leftFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our unpublished census of Scott 196 contains 81 examples. Census No. 196-UNC-38. With 1972 and 2008 P.F. certificates
24c Dark Violet, Special Printing (200). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impressionFINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 24-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found 67 certified copies of Scott 200, 24 of which have faults (usually a thin spot). Perhaps a few exist outside of that population.
With 2000 P.F. certificate
5c Gray Brown, Special Printing (205C). Without gum as issued, deep rich color, few thin spotsFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1882 5-CENT GARFIELD SPECIAL PRINTING, SCOTT 205C. ONLY 21 EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.
This elusive Special Printing was the subject of an informative article by William E. Mooz in Chronicle 153 (February 1992). His research provides strong evidence that the stamps recognized as Scott 205C are a small part of the 2,463 sold as Special Printings through the Third Asst. PMG, and that regular issues were used to fill the backlog of orders for the 5c Garfield.
Our census of Scott 205C (available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/205C/205C.pdf ) illustrates the 21 recorded examples.
Census No. 205C-UNC-06. Ex Robert B. Greenes (Siegel Sale 395, May 1971) where acquired by the current owner. With 1969 and 2016 P.F. certificates
1c Gray Blue (206). Rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, small target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00)
3c Blue Green (207). Mint N.H., well-proportioned margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate
6c Rose (208). Original gum, bright color, outstanding centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE 1882 RE-ENGRAVED 6-CENT ROSE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
Despite being the major Scott listing, the Rose shade is far rarer than the Brown Red sub-shade, Scott 208a. Power Search located only one Mint N.H. example offered in our sales since 1993, and that is off-center with perfs almost touching the design. We have offered no multiples with Mint N.H. stamps. The online records of the Philatelic Foundation contain only two in Mint N.H. condition, but we doubt they would even grade 90. For the collector who values centering, a hinged copy is all there is. The example offered here, with choice centering, is a true condition rarity.
With 2016 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95)
6c Deep Brown Red (208a). Original gum, rich color, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00)
2c Red Brown (210). Mint N.H., deep rich color, extra wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00)
2c Green (213). Mint N.H., rich color, beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00)
2c Green (213). Huge margins and well-centered, neat quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00)
2c Green (213). Jumbo margins on all sides, precise centering, rich color, cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00)
3c Vermilion (214). Mint N.H. half-pane of 50 with imprint and plate no. 421 selvage at bottom and selvage at left, brilliant color, pos. 12 and 13 light soiling, otherwise a fresh and Fine-Very Fine Mint N.H. multiple, Scott Retail as plate block and singles
5c Indigo (216). Jumbo margins and well-centered, intense dark shade on bright paper, neat duplex cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $145.00)
30c Orange Brown, Imperforate (217a). Horizontal pair, original gum, h.r., large margins all around, fresh and Very Fine, the imperforate 30c Orange Brown American Bank Note Co. Issue is very rare in sound condition, we have offered only four pairs in the last 16 years and none were sound, with 1975 and 2016 P.F. certificates (latter as new No. 217P5)
90c Purple (218). Beautiful rich color, unusually choice centering with balanced margins, registry cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,650.00), only one used Scott 218 has been graded higher (at 95J)