Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — Trans-Mississippi Issue
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. with imprint at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE AND ONLY THREE OTHERS SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
Collectors in pursuit of superb 19th Century commemorative stamps are well aware of the challenge in locating the 8c Trans-Mississippi with wide margins and choice centering. An examination of 8c multiples will reveal the fact that the space between horizontal rows was narrower than the space between vertical columns. Wide top and bottom margins that match the sides could only occur when the horizontal perforations were misapplied to a row, thereby impinging on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $33,000.00). The most recent realization for a Superb 98 was $42,500 hammer in December 2008.
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression on post-office fresh paper, unusually choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $9,000.00 as 95, $33,000.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade and only five have graded higher to date.
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Original gum, rich color and detailed impression, mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED TO DATE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,450.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. One other, in Mint N.H. condition, has also been awarded this grade.
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 620 selvage, magnificent balanced margins, intense color, fresh and crispEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN IDEAL 10-CENT TO ADD TO A HIGH-QUALITY TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE MINT NEVER-HINGED SET.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,150.00)
$1.00 Dusky Red Orange, Large Die Essay on India (292-E7). On 96 x 75mm card with full die sinkage, rich colorVERY FINE AND CHOICE. BELIEVED TO BE THE FINER OF THE TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DIE ESSAY IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Only two are reported to exist.
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Horizontal pair with wide top imprint and plate no. 606 selvage, original gum, stamps barely hinged, deep shade, fresh paperFINE-VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR WIDE TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER PAIR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
The Scott Catalogue premium for an imprint and plate number pair versus two singles seems inadequate ($3,250.00 vs. $2,500.00). The premium for a plate block of four versus a block of four is nearly six times.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Horizontal pair with wide bottom imprint and plate no. 613 selvage, original gum, faintly hinged, excellent color and impression, left stamp has a few black fibers on gum from mount and tiny trivial thin speckVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER PAIR OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
The Scott Catalogue premium for an imprint and plate number pair versus two singles seems inadequate ($5,000.00 vs. $4,100.00). The premium for a plate block of four versus a block of four is nearly nine times.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, intense shade and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE IN ANY CATEGORY TO ACHIEVE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
Collectors in pursuit of superb 19th Century commemorative stamps are well aware of the challenge in locating the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi with wide margins and choice centering. An examination of $2.00 multiples will reveal the fact that the space between horizontal rows was narrower than the space between vertical columns. Wide top and bottom margins that match the sides could only occur when the horizontal perforations were misapplied to a row, thereby impinging on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $14,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date in any category and it is the only example to achieve this grade. The next-highest grade is a 95 -- knowledgeable collectors know how difficult it is to find the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi in such superb condition. SMQ does not price the 98 in Mint N.H. condition, as it may not even exist.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $7,050.00). Only one has graded higher to date.