Sale 1197 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 14-15 March, 2019
Category — 1873-75 Continental Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 156-166, 178-179)
1c Ultramarine (156). Original gum, outstanding centering with balanced margins, fresh color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), only one original-gum stamp grades higher (at 95J) and four others share this grade
1c Ultramarine (156). Fresh color, with red Glen Allen Star fancy precancel, attractive margins and centering, Very Fine, this precancel is much scarcer in red than in black
2c Brown (157). Original gum, single hinge mark with gum covering the entire back of the stamp, deep rich color and proof-like impression, near perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 2-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,400.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it. By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is a 90J (one copy).
3c Green (158). Original gum, lightly hinged, flawless centering with Jumbo margins, fresh color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $1,800.00), this is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 158 in any condition, this grade is shared by no other original-gum stamps
6c Dull Pink (159). Original gum, barely hinged, outstanding centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,750.00), this is the highest grade awarded to a hinged Scott 159 and it is shared by only three others (one Mint N.H. is graded 95J)
6c Dull Pink (159). Block of twelve, slightly disturbed original gum from hinge removal described on accompanying certificate as just "previously hinged", brilliant color, almost perfect centering throughout the multiple, very faint vertical crease affects left stampsEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING BLOCK OF TWELVE OF THE 6-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE PRINTING. ESPECIALLY RARE THIS WELL-CENTERED.
With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as two blocks of four and two pairs.
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Radiant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bold strike of New York Foreign Mail Geometric cancel (ST-MP3), Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
10c Brown (161). Original gum, single hinge mark at top, exceptional depth of color, unusually choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,500.00). Only four grade higher and only three others share this grade.
10c Brown (161). Vertical block of six with right sheet selvage, original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 10-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
This issue is found in block form but is rarely encountered as fresh as the example offered here.
With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as a block of four and a pair.
12c Blackish Violet (162). Choice centering, intense color on bright paper, bold strike of unusual blue circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate
90c Rose Carmine (166). Extra wide margins, bright color, cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
2c Vermilion (178). Original gum, vivid color, outstanding centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2000 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00), this is the highest grade awarded to an original gum Scott 178 and the only hinged example to achieve this grade (two Mint N.H. are also graded 95)
5c Blue (179). Original gum, deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 5-CENT TAYLOR, SCOTT 179, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE ON RECORD AND THE ONLY STAMP TO ACHIEVE IT.
The 1875 printing, Scott 179, is often overlooked by collectors who put it into the same category as its 1879 counterpart, Scott 185, which is more readily available. For Mint N.H. copies, we have offered only five unduplicated since keeping computerized records. The example offered here, while hinged, has the best centering of any we have encountered.
Ex "Hanover". With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only one to achieve it. The SMQ value was never updated when this stamp realized $5,750 hammer in our 2016 sale of the "Hanover" collection