Sale 1283 — Commemoratives, Featuring Morton Trans-Mississippi, Brody Jamestown and Haber 1909 Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 April, 2023
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue: Gem Quality Stamps to 50c
1c Dark Yellow Green, Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 A.P.S. and 2021 P.F. certificates (Superb 98), by way of comparison P.S.E. has only graded two higher
1c Dark Yellow Green, Trans-Mississippi (285). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, neat waving flag machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $900.00), only one grades higher (at 98J) and one other shares this desirable grade
5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H., with wide top imprint selvage, deep rich color and proof-like impression, essentially perfect centering with wide margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The Trans-Mississippi plates were laid out with narrower space between the horizontal rows than the space between the vertical columns. The mathematically balanced margins necessary to achieve such a high grade require extra space between the horizontal rows of perforations. Anyone who has examined Trans-Mississippi sheets and multiples can testify to the rarity of stamps with perfectly balanced margins all around.
With 1992 P.F. (as a pair) and 2022 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $10,500.00). Only three grade higher -- one at 98J (we have never offered it) and two at 100 (we last offered one in 2012). Three others share this desirable grade, but this is the first in this grade we have offered.
5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Beautifully balanced wide margins, deep rich color on fresh paper, light registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Myerson, with 2011 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,150.00), this is the highest grade awarded to a used example and it is shared by only three others
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi (289). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins, long and full perforations, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.--THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Ex Bowman. With 2003 P.F. and 2007 and 2022 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share it.
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (289a). Original gum, h.r., with horizontal guide line, deep rich color, wide margins, few light natural gum creases as found on most examples of this rare error, which originated from one pane of 50 (not noted on certificates)VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY, WHICH IS THE ONLY MAJOR ERROR OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
According to the Neil-Rosenthal book (pp. 115-118), one pane of 50 was discovered by Robert Watts, a stamp clerk at one of the sales windows at the Philadelphia General Post Office, who found it between the wrapping paper of a bundle of stamps. He sold it for double face value ($8.00) to Herman Lewis, a locksmith in Philadelphia. Lewis soon sold it to William S. F. Pierce, who broke it into three pieces: a vertical strip of ten with sheet margin and full arrow at right, a vertical block of 20 containing both plate blocks, and a vertical block of 20 with natural straight edge at left. Each of these multiples has since been broken.
With 1974, 1996 and 2022 P.F. certificates.
10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290). Perfectly centered with wide margins, fresh color on bright paper, registry oval cancel struck at right leaving the beautiful dead horse engraving completely visible, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, ex Myerson, with 2013 and 2022 P.F. and 2012 P.S.A.G. certificates (all three graded Superb 98), by way of comparison the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is also 98 (three examples)
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 603 selvage, radiant color, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP POSITION PLATE NUMBER EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (XF 90). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only eight higher -- six at 95 and two at 98 -- but that is without regard to a plate number. None of the higher graded examples we have offered had a plate number.
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Mint N.H., brilliant color and bright paper, choice centering with wide margins, long and full perforationsFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
Ex "World's Fair". With 2014 P.S.E. and 1970 and 2021 P.F. certificates.
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Hampshire" and Merlin. With 2010 P.S.E. and 2013 P.F. certificates (both OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others. None grade higher in any other condition category.
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, rich color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1983 P.F. and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,600.00)
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Bright shade and detailed impression, unobtrusive cancel, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 2014 and 2022 P.F. certificates (latter XF-Superb 95)
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Deep rich color, unusually wide and balanced margins, neat strikes of circular datestamp and duplex cancels, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2021 P.S.A.G. and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,100.00), only three grade higher