Sale 937 — 2007 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 16 June, 2007
Category — 1880 American Bank Note Co. Special Printing
2c Black Brown, Special Printing (193). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautifully centered with wide and well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 2-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found less than 50 certified examples of Scott 193.
With 1972 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (195). Without gum as issued, fresh and bright color, completely soundFINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. OUR REVISED CENSUS CONTAINS ONLY 28 EXAMPLES OF THIS GREAT RARITY.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
7c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (196). Without gum as issued, brilliant color on bright paper, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A VIBRANT AND SUPERBLY CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 7-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 83 certified copies of Scott 196. The centering and quality of this stamp places it among the top ten ranked by condition.
With 1958 and 1998 P.F. certificates. P.S.E. encapsulated (VF-XF 85; SMQ $15,800.00). Only two VF-XF 85's are in the current P.S.E. Population Report (one has graded higher).
7c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (196). Without gum as issued, choice margins and exceptionally well-centered, excellent deep rich color, tiny inconsequential toning spot on backEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FRESHEST AND FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1880 7-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING EXTANT.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 83 certified copies of Scott 196.
Colson backstamp.
10c Deep Brown, Special Printing (197). Without gum as issued, rich color and sharp proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
Fewer than 30 examples are known. Perhaps four or five others compare favorably to the example offered here in terms of centering, color, margins and overall condition.
With 1994 P.F. certificate. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $43,600.00 as 80, $52,300.00 as 85)
15c Orange, Special Printing (199). Without gum as issued, vivid color, sharp impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED OF THE FEW SOUND 15-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING STAMPS EXTANT. FEWER THAN TEN EXAMPLES ARE IN SOUND CENTERED CONDITION.
Our recent review of the records of the Philatelic Foundation found only 36 certified examples of Scott 199. As another indication of rarity, the last example we offered at auction was in an October 2004 sale. This is the first Scott 199 we have offered in almost three years.
Ex Floyd. P.S.E. encapsulated (VF 80; SMQ $43,000.00)
24c Dark Violet, Special Printing (200). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper, choice centering with wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 24-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 66 certified copies of Scott 200. Very few compare favorably to the example offered here.
Ex Phillips and West. With 1967 and 1994 P.F. certificates. P.S.E. encapsulated (VF 80; SMQ $14,000.00)
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (201). Without gum as issued, bright color and detailed impression, choice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 45 certified copies of Scott 201. With 1994 P.F. certificate
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (201). Without gum as issued, unmistakable color and impression, small tear top left and tiny tear bottom rightFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found approximately 45 certified copies of Scott 201.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate
90c Dull Carmine, Special Printing (202). Without gum as issued, bright color, choice centering and wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. APPROXIMATELY 40 EXAMPLES OF THE 90-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTINGS ARE KNOWN TO EXIST. THIS STAMP IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.
The 90c 1880 Special Printing on soft paper is notorious for its condition (thins affect most of the known examples) and typically poor centering. In this stamp we have the rare combination of soundness, margins and centering, as well as extraordinary freshness. With the demand for Special Printings so strong, we anticipate collectors will display exuberance in bidding for this Extremely Fine stamp.
Ex McCarthy. With 2000 P.S.E. and 2001 P.F. certificates
2c Scarlet Vermilion, Special Printing (203). Without gum as issued, well-centered for this difficult stamp with wide margins, beautiful rich color on fresh bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTINGS. OUR CENSUS RECORDS ONLY 20 EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT SCARLET VERMILION 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE.
Our census of Scott 203 published in the Zoellner catalogue (and updated at our website at: http://siegelauctions.com/enc/census/203/203.htm) contains only 19 stamps which are available to collectors. The 20th copy is in the Miller collection at The New York Public Library. This is the first example we have offered at auction in more than five years, and it is quite possible an example in this choice condition could fetch a six-figure price.
Census No. 203-UNC-03. Ex Hetherington, Anderson, Weisman and Floyd. With 1953, 1998 and 2006 P.F. certificates (last graded VF 80)
5c Deep Blue, Special Printing (204). Without gum as issued, beautiful rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice margins and centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE 18 RECORDED COPIES OF THE 5-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SOFT-PAPER SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS ONLY THE THIRD EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED IN MORE THAN FIFTEEN YEARS.
Our census of Scott 204, published in our Zoellner catalogue and updated at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/204/204.htm records only 18 copies of this stamp, including one example in the Miller collection at The New York Public Library. It is the second most elusive of the Bank Note Special Printings. The last example we offered at auction was in our 1998 Zoellner sale.
Census No. 204-UNC-17. Ex Lyons. Signed Stern and with Colson backstamp. With 1994 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)