Sale 1197 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 14-15 March, 2019
Category — 1879 American Bank Note Co. Issue & 1880 Special Printing (Scott 182-199)
1c Dark Ultramarine (182). Mint N.H., bright color on post-office fresh paper, outstanding centering and marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 ONE-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,300.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others.
2c Vermilion (183). Mint N.H., brilliant color, choice centering with wide margins, post-office freshEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,900.00).
5c Blue (185). Original gum, bright color, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 5-CENT BLUE TAYLOR PRINTED BY THE AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2007 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, Superb 98; SMQ $3,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded to an original-gum Scott 185 and it is shared by only one other stamp. The highest grade for a Mint N.H. copy is 90J
6c Pink (186). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 6-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 1980 and 1996 P.F. certificates. With 2003 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,350.00). Only two original-gum stamps grade higher (highest is 98J) and one shares this grade
15c Red Orange (189). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice margins and sensational perfect centering, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $1,600.00), this is the highest graded hinged example of Scott 189, with no equals (five Mint N.H. stamps grade higher)
30c Full Black (190). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, remarkably detailed impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1879 30-CENT AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY REGULAR ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2004 P.S.E. certificate (OG, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,250.00). Only two grade higher (at 95J and 98) and only two others share this grade.
90c Carmine (191). Original gum, near perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, brilliant color on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1879 AMERICAN BANK NOTE ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded. Only two hinged and two Mint N.H. examples share this grade.
2c Black Brown, Special Printing (193). Without gum as issued, deep rich color, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, trivial natural inclusion at left not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1880 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 193 contain 48 certified examples, of which almost half have faults (mostly thins, which are endemic to this soft porous paper). Of the sound examples, nearly all are centered to top or one side. The example offered here, with well-balanced margins, is very desirable.
Census No. 193-UNC-03. With 1994 P.F. certificate
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. VERY RARE IN SOUND AND CENTERED CONDITION.
Our census of Scott 199 contains 37 certified examples. Of these, only 12 are confirmed as sound, 11 have faults and 14 need to be reexamined according to current methods and standards.
Census No. 199-UNC-11. Ex. Hoffman. With 1999 and 2008 P.F. certificates
4c Deep Blue Green, Special Printing (211D). Without gum as issued, with right sheet selvage, deep rich color on crisp paper, choice centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 4-CENT 1883 AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY 26 ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
Our census of the 4c 1883 Special Printing, available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/211D , contains 26 stamps offered as No. 211D, of which 25 have been certified by The Philatelic Foundation. Post Office Department records indicate that only 26 were sold. Of the known copies, at least five have small faults. Very few are as well centered as the example offered here.
Census No. 211D-UNC-23. Ex Colonel Green, Dr. Test (“Concord”) and Lyons. With 1984 and 1998 P.F. certificates. Eugene Klein handstamp on back of selvage