Sale 1019 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 1-2 March, 2012
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H. with tiny bit of pencil offset on gum not mentioned on accompanying certificate, enormous Jumbo margins and choice centering, deep rich color, incredibly fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $900.00 as 95, $3,150.00 as 98)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., brilliant color, balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, a difficult stamp to find centered in Mint N.H. condition, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color on bright paper, choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $580.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and well-centered, deep shade and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine, ex Whitman, with 1992 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $570.00 as 85, $910.00 as 90)
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at bottom, bright shade, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate for pair
6c Brown, Large Die Proof on India (256P1). Die sunk on 99 x 103mm card with full die sinkage, rich color, Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
6c Dull Brown (256). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, perfect centering, rich color on bright fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $575.00)
50c Orange (260). Mint N.H., bright color, attractive centering, natural gum wrinkle at left center, otherwise Fine, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (VG-F 60)
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, wide margins and exceptionally well-centered, beautiful impression and deep shade on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPEB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-DOLLAR TYPE I 1894 FIRST BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95) and 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,200.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-DOLLAR TYPE II 1894 FIRST BUREAU ISSUEE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $4,000.00). Only four have graded higher to date.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, intense shade and detailed impression, well-centered with wide margins framing the designEXTREMELY FINE. A LOVELY ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-DOLLAR TYPE II 1894 FIRST BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1984 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (OG, XF 90; SMQ $4,000.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep shade on fresh paper, well-centeredEXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE LIGHTLY-HINGED ONE-DOLLAR TYPE II 1894 FIRST BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1989 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, deep shade on crisp white paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Deep rich color on bright paper, Jumbo margins, bold strike of New York oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo)
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, lightly hinged, most recent of four certificates notes "sweated", gorgeous rich color and detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED FIRST BUREAU ISSUE.
The 1894 Unwatermarked Issue was the first set of U.S. postage stamps to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00.
With 1987, 1988 and 2007 P.F. certificates (XF 90). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $8,100.00). Only seven have graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Three wide margins, oval registry cancel, small tear at left, Very Fine appearance, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (G 30)