Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Hard Paper Special Printing (Scott 167-177, 180)
1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual with perfs virtually intact on three sides, brilliant color, small thin spot at topVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 167 contains 45 certified examples. Of these, fewer than ten have perforations all around.
Census No. 167-UNC-14. With 1980 S.P.A. certificate. PFC 77990 and 255061 no longer accompany.
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, choice centering with long and full perforations all around, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE.
Our census of Scott 168 contains only 57 copies certified as genuine. A review of our records found only two other examples of comparable quality to the example offered here.
Census No. 168-UNC-57. Ex Chapin. With 1954 and 2003 P.F. and 1994 P.S.E. certificates.
3c Blue Green, Special Printing (169). Without gum as issued, intact perforations all around except where a few short at left, rich color, small tear at top leftVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 169 contains 35 examples that have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation (including one on cover). Of these, only three have perforations all around and are confirmed as sound. The example offered here is desirable despite the small tear.
Census No. 169-UNC-34. With 1996 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (170). Without gum as issued, exceptionally wide margins and superb centering, bright color, couple short perfs and reperfed at rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 170 contains 35 certified examples.
Census No. 170-UNC-23. With 1990 and 2015 P.F. certificates
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, radiant color, full and intact perforations all aroundFRESH AND VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 171 contains 70 certified examples plus this uncertified copy. Most stamps were scissors-separated, affecting the perforations on at least one side.
"W.H.C." backstamp (Warren H. Colson)
10c Pale Brown, Special Printing (172). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual but leaving full perforations on all sides, remarkably choice centering and wide margins for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE. A MAGNIFICENT STAMP.
Our census of Scott 172 contains 36 copies that have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation. A majority of these have been scissors-separated into the perforations on at least one side. Of the eleven copies with full perforations, most have either pulled perforations or are not well-centered.
Census No. 172-UNC-04. Ex Hetherington and Hinrichs. With 1957 and 2001 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates.
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, full perforations all aroundVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 173 contains 71 certified examples.
Census No. 173-UNC-21. Ex Brigham. With 1938 A.P.S. and 2000 P.F. certificates.
15c Bright Orange, Special Printing (174). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual but with intact perfs at top and right (unpunched), brilliant color, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 174 contains 39 certified examples. Of these, an overwhelming majority have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. Very few are as well-centered and wide-margined as the example offered here.
Census No. 174-UNC-05. Ex Lessmann. With 1970 P.F. certificate
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, full perforations on all sides, bright colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 175 contains approximately 100 examples.
Census No. 175-UNC-68. With 1956, 1992 and 2002 P.F. certificates
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, wide margins, scissors-separated as almost always but leaving virtually intact perfs at left and bottomVERY FINE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 176 contains 50 copies.
Census No. 176-UNC-43. With 1952 and 1989 P.F. certificates
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, perforations intact on all sides, phenomenal centering with well-balanced margins, radiant colorEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE.
Our census of Scott 177 contains 46 copies. Only 17 have perforations intact on all four sides. Many have poor centering or scissors-separated perfs. The example offered here, with attractive centering, bright color and full perforations on all four sides, is truly a condition rarity among rarities.
Census No. 177-UNC-42. With 1952 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
2c Carmine Vermilion, Special Printing (180). Without gum as issued, vivid color, short perf at left and tiny corner perf crease at top rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT CARMINE VERMILION 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE RAREST SPECIAL PRINTINGS WITH ONLY 23 EXAMPLES RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our census of Scott 180, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/180/180.pdf , contains 23 examples of this rare Special Printing, one of which is in The New York Public Library collection. Approximately half are confirmed as sound, but most are not well-centered.
Census No. 180-UNC-11. With 1981 P.F. certificate. A 1991 P.F. certificate (247316, no longer accompanies) stated "Genuine with light perf staining top right", but we do not see any evidence of staining.