Sale 1140 — Outstanding United States Stamps, featuring The Irwin Weinberg Inventory
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 9-11 November, 2016
Category — 1c-50c 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-240)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered, brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $350.00)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H. full top imprint, plate no. 159 and letter "O O" block of eight, remarkably well-centered throughout, wonderfully bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, few 1c Columbian plate blocks are found in this select post-office fresh condition, ex Floyd and Killien
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 195 and letter "V V" block of eight, deep rich color, choice centering, fresh and Very Fine-Extremely Fine
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, choice centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $300.00)
2c Columbian, Broken Frame Line (231 var). Detailed impression clearly showing the frameline broken at lower right, huge Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, light cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of this variety, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $205.00 as normal stamp with no premium for the variety)
3c Columbian (232). Full sheet of 100 with imprint selvage at sides and two imprint, plate no. 57 and letter "L" blocks of eight at top, natural s.e. at bottom, nearly all stamps Mint N.H., plate blocks with single h.r. reinforcement in selvage, two stamps at bottom h.r., some expected perf separations incl. largely separated horizontally through the imprint rowFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE SHEET OF 100 OF THE 3-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE. THIS FORMAT WAS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH THE PHILATELIC AGENCY IN WASHINGTON D.C.
The 3c Columbian stamps were printed from sheets of 100 and were separated into panes of 50 for distribution to post offices. The undivided full sheets, such as the one offered here, were only available from the Philatelic Agency in Washington D.C.
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., extra wide and wonderfully well-balanced margins, pretty pastel color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,150.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., wide margins and precise centering, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., choice centering, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Disturbed original gum, deep rich color, small thin spotsFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN COLOR ERROR.
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.
With 1958 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Deep rich color, attractive margins and centering, bold duplex cancel, completely soundVERY FINE. ONLY THIRTEEN USED EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION AND ONLY TWO ARE CONFIRMED AS SOUND. 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. One additional stamp was previously certified as the error, but received a recent certificate as the Dark Ultramarine sub-shade. Only two stamps listed in our census are confirmed as sound -- the example offered here and the ex Natalee Grace example (Census No. 1). Census No. 7 may be sound but it has not been seen in many years.
Census No. 233a-CAN-04. With 2016 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail value is for an example with small faults
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., beautifully centered, strong color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 1988 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $500.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins, choice centering and rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $400.00)
5c Columbian (234). Unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins, rich color on fresh paper, light cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $375.00)
6c Red Violet, Columbian (235a). Mint N.H. with part imprint bottom selvage, gorgeous vibrant color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., choice balanced margins, vibrant color, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., choice centering, fresh, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $600.00)
10c Columbian (237). Top imprint, plate no. 103 and letter "Y" strip of four, original gum, barely hinged, crisp shade and detailed impression, wide margins, left stamp small thin spot, appears Very Fine, ex Schwartz
10c Columbian (237). Block of four, original gum, h.r. at right, rich color, well-balanced margins throughout, fresh and Very Fine, a pretty block, ex Schwartz
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., outstanding centering with wide margins, intense color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,650.00).
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., choice margins and centering, rich color and fine impression, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
30c Columbian (239). Original gum, lightly hinged, magnificent wide margins and precise centering, rich color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $1,750.00)
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep rich color and proof-like impression, mathematically precise centering with wide margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND ONE OF ONLY TWO TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100; SMQ $8,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded in any condition category and only one other example has equaled this grade (a Mint N.H. copy).
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, some natural gum skips, excellent centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $725)