Sale 1224 — 2020 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30 June-1 July, 2020
Category — Trans-Mississippi Issue
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi, Bi-Color Large Die Essays on India (285E8a-293E7a). On approximately 152 x 90mm cards with full die sinkage, $1.00 the scarcer Dull Violet frame, rich colors, cards with some light toning, 4c light wrinklingA DESIRABLE COMPLETE SET OF THE BEAUTIFUL TRANS-MISSISSIPPI BI-COLOR ESSAYS.
Of the 166 sets printed in these colors, many were hybrids. The essays offered here are all die sunk.
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2012 P.S.A.G. certificate (ogNH 95). With 1991 and 2003 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (with right selvage which accompanies)
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Wide top imprint and plate number 609 block of four, barest trace of previous hinge, gorgeous centering throughout with wide margins on each stamp, deep rich color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Gray
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., sharp proof-like impression, choice centering and marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
With 2020 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, essentially perfect centering with wide margins, detailed impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, Superb 98; SMQ $8,850.00). Only one hinged stamp grades higher (at 100). The highest Mint N.H. is also Superb 98
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, h.r., detailed impression on bright paper, unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
With 1990 and 2012 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison only five grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Bottom imprint and plate no. 606 pair, original gum, very lightly hinged, beautifully centered, incredibly sharp proof-like impression, few trivial perf separations at bottom edge of selvage sensibly reinforcedVERY FINE AND CHOICE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER PAIR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
Ex Clippert. With 1981 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, top left stamp small gum wrinkleFRESH AND FINE-VERY FINE LIGHTLY HINGED BLOCK OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi Issue, depicting "Western Cattle in Storm" is widely considered to be the most beautiful stamp in United States philately.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). With top plate no. 613 selvage, original gum, barely hinged, exceptional centering and margins, deep rich color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM PLATE NUMBER EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE WITH BARELY HINGED GUM.
The $2.00 Trans-Mississippi Issue is widely regarded as being the most difficult denomination of the series to obtain with any decent-size margins. The margins are almost always narrow on the $2.00, making it difficult for collectors of Gem-quality stamps to fill this space in their albums.
With 2020 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95 XQ)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Intense color on fresh paper, beautiful centering with wide and well-proportioned margins, New York registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS GORGEOUS STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
Brookman notes "the $2.00 is not easy to obtain well-centered as many of these stamps seem to be perforated close to the top and its color is such that it cancels rather badly. This combination makes fine used copies difficult to obtain. I consider it more difficult to obtain in choice used condition than any of the high values of the Columbian issue."
With 1998 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,750.00). Only one grades higher (at 98) and five others share this desirable grade.