Sale 1048 — 2013 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 25 June, 2013
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum which is very slightly disturbed, lightly hinged, the more intense of the two error shades, fresh and bright paper, well-centered with enormously wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR. A PHENOMENAL STAMP.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components.
Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
Ex Zoellner. With 1984, 1998 and 2008 P.F. certificates
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Three wide to huge margins, intense color, neat machine cancel, small corner crease at bottom left and tiny margin thin at lower leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY THIRTEEN USED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF USED UNITED STATES PHILATELY AND OF THE POPULAR COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components. Stamps from at least three panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from at least one additional pane. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
Our census of used Scott 233a, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/233a/233a.pdf , contains 13 stamps certified as No 233a, including this newest addition. One additional stamp was previously certified as the error, but received a recent certificate as the Dark Ultramarine sub-shade. The copy offered here is the only one in our census with a machine cancel.
Census No. 233a-CAN-13. With 2013 P.F. certificate. Scott Catalogue notes that "No. 233a used is valued with small faults, as almost all examples come thus."
$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H. with part imprint at right, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, wide margins for this issueEXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFULLY FRESH WELL-CENTERED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Ex Whitman. With 1978 (for block of four) and 2009 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins for this difficult stampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS ACHIEVED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 FROM P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO ANY $2.00 COLUMBIAN, AND ONLY THREE HAVE ACHIEVED IT.
Typically, when a collector assembles an Extremely Fine, Mint Never-Hinged set of Columbians, the $2.00 space remains empty to the very end due to the low supply and high demand. It is simply one of the rarest stamps of the set in this condition. The Scott value of $4,000.00 for a Mint N.H. stamp (in Very Fine grade) does not begin to reflect the true rarity of such examples.
With 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $50,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Mint N.H., lovely bright color, wide margins and nice centering for this difficult issueVERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS TO OBTAIN IN MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION.
A review using Power Search shows that we have offered an average of one Mint N.H. example of the $3.00 Columbian a year in any grade.
Ex "Cloudrest". With 2000 P.S.E. and 2012 P.F. certificates (VF 80)
$4.00 Pale Aniline Rose, Columbian (244a). Mint N.H., brilliant color in the aniline-ink shade, attractive margins and centering, bright and freshVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED $4.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE PALE ANILINE ROSE SHADE.
With 1997 and 2008 P.F. certificates (F-VF 75). With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $7,000.00).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide margins for this issue and choice centering on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
We could not begin to count the number of $5.00 Columbian stamps sold by the Siegel firm. However, the number of Extremely Fine, Mint Never-Hinged examples is very limited. Due to the high face value, multiples are very rare. For much of philatelic history stamps were hinged into albums. This fact, plus the lack of multiples, explains the scarcity of Mint N.H. copies.
With 1992, 2001 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H., crisp impression, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN..
The number of Extremely Fine, Mint Never-Hinged examples of the $5.00 Columbian is extremely small. Only 15 Mint N.H. stamps are in the P.S.E. Population Report, and only six of those grade 80 or better.
With 2002 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $11,000.00)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Top right corner imprint, letter "W" and plate no. 93 half-pane of 25, original gum, eleven stamps Mint N.H. including three in the bottom row of the plate block, others with h.r.., rich color, few perf separations including between positions 1 and 6 in plate block sensibly reinforced, few natural inclusions, positions 16, 17 and 24 small thin spotsFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE HALF-PANE OF 25 OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, CONTAINING THE FULL TOP PLATE BLOCK POSITION. AN IMPRESSIVE MULTIPLE.
There are perhaps a dozen extant plate blocks of eight of the $1.00 Columbian. Larger multiples are very rare.
Scott Retail as plate block of eight, nine hinged and eight Mint N.H. singles.
$2.00 Columbian (242). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 105 and letter "A A" strip of four, natural horizontal gum skip, vivid color and detailed impression, left stamp particularly choice centeringVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF FOUR OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
A review using Power Search revealed no other full imprint or plate number examples of the $2.00 Columbian in Mint N.H. condition in any size. Considering that the only Mint N.H. examples we have sold since 1993 with any part of the printed selvage were a bottom "A A" single and a block of 20 with part imprint (in 2001), the rarity of this piece becomes even more apparent. The $2.00 plate number block of eight is believed to be unique (it realized $205,000 hammer in our 2009 MLG sale); therefore, a strip of four is the only practical means to show the complete imprint, letter and plate number.
With 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for imprint and plate number strip of four is $8,500.00. Scott Retail for four Mint N.H. singles, with no premium for the imprint and plate number position.
$3.00 Columbian (243). Bottom imprint, letter "BB" and plate no. 106 strip of four, original gum, h.r., rich color, left stamp few perf flaws at top right, side stamps with thin spotsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF FOUR OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN.
The $3.00 Columbian is extremely difficult to find in any form of plate number multiple. Perhaps three or four plate blocks are known. We have sold only two other imprint and plate number strips of four since keeping computerized records.
$3.00 Columbian (243). Block of four with left imprint selvage, small part original gum, rich color, top stamps horizontal crease, top left stamp small thin spot, thin spot in bottom selvageFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN WITH IMPRINT SELVAGE AT LEFT.
With 1974 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Pale Aniline Rose, Columbian (244a). Bottom imprint, letter "CC" and plate no. 107 strip of four, original gum, few small h.r., radiant color, beautiful centering, three stamps with thin spots, corner crease in bottom left selvageEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE IMPRINT, LETTER AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF FOUR OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT POSITION MULTIPLES OF THE ISSUE TO OBTAIN.
The $4.00 Columbian is extremely difficult to find in any form of plate number multiple. There are two, possibly three, plate blocks of six, which of course do not have the letters. The Scott-listed plate block of eight is actually a plate block of ten (it catalogues $400,000.00). The last imprint and plate number strip of four we offered was in our 1999 Argentum sale. Given its rarity, we are surprised Scott Catalogue assigns such a small value to the $4.00. In our opinion, the $4.00 and $5.00 Columbian imprint and plate number strips of four should have equal catalogue values (the $5.00 catalogues $62,500.00).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Bottom imprint, letter "DD" and plate no. 108 strip of four, original gum, lightly hinged, few small hinge slivers along top perforations used as a preventative measure to avoid perf separations, intense shade and proof-like impression, choice centering for this difficult multipleVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF FOUR OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION.
The $5.00 plate number block of eight is believed to be unique; therefore, a strip of four is the only practical means to show the complete imprint and plate number with plate letters.