Sale 1245 — United States Stamps, featuring the Sacramento Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 16-18 November, 2021
Category — 1c-30c 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-239)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, essentially perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,100.00), only eight grade higher (all at 98J)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., almost mathematically perfect centering with fresh color, detailed impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,100.00), only eight grade higher (all at 98J)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., extraordinarily well-centered, intense color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $300.00)
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H. with large top right corner margin selvage, perfect centering with balanced Jumbo margins, bright and fresh in every respectEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT COLUMBIAN WITH LARGE CORNER MARGIN SELVAGE.
With 2021 P.F. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo).
2c Columbian, Broken Frameline (231 var). Mint N.H., perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, clearly showing the variety at lower right, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,900.00 with no premium for the variety), only three grade higher (two at 100, one at 100J) and twelve share this grade, we do not know if any others show this variety
2c Columbian, Broken Hat (231 var). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression clearly showing the variety, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in this grade in SMQ, SMQ $750.00 as 95 and $2,500.00 as 98)
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H., precise centering and wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $350.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,150.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., wide and beautifully balanced margins, choice centering and bold color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $675.00)
3c Columbian (232). Bottom imprint, plate no. 57 and letter "L" block of eight, original gum, faintly hinged, fresh color, Fine
4c Dark Violet, Large Die Essay on Thin Card (233-E2b). 74 x 61mm, intense color, Very Fine
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., exceedingly wide and well-balanced margins, fresh color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,300.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., wide margins and choice centering, bright color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
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 $900.00)
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, margins clear of design all aroundFRESH AND FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
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 2018 P.F. certificate
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Deep rich color, bold oval grid cancel, small horizontal crease at right and tiny picked out inclusion at left
FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY 15 USED EXAMPLES OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR ARE LISTED IN OUR CENSUS. 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 https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/233a , contains 15 stamps. 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.
Census no. 233a-CAN-08. With 1993 P.F. certificate. Scott value is for an example with small faults
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., deep shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a lovely stamp, with 2003 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., precise centering with wide margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., rich color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., intense shade on brilliant white paper, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $450.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., enormous margins all around, rich color and a deeply etched impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, with 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificates
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Clipper City". With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,250.00). Only two grade higher (at 98J and 100) and only five others share this grade.
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., crisp shade, precise centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., beautiful color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., excellent centering, wide margins, strong color and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00), will probably re-grade at 90
6c Red Violet, Columbian (235a). Mint N.H., with left sheet selvage, deep rich color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. full top imprint, plate no. 104 and letter "Z" block of eight, choice centering and bright color, pristine gum without bends or skipsEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE CENTERED FULL TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 6-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE WITH PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED GUM. THIS IS THE FINEST WE HAVE OFFERED IN AT LEAST 20 YEARS.
A review using Power Search revealed a startling fact. Among all the plate blocks we have offered of this issue since 1993, only two other Mint N.H. examples were from the top position (one of those has narrow selvage). The hinged population shows a similar heavy skew toward bottom plate blocks. The 6c is one of the Columbian denominations that comes with either top or bottom selvage, so one would expect to find more top plate blocks than we have seen. However, as we have explained when offering full panes of 50 or dollar value plate blocks (see Sale 1200, lot 154), the way the Columbians were perforated offered no guarantees that there would be equal numbers of top and bottom selvage panes. In fact, there are no 50c or $4.00 with top selvage at all and we suspect that for the same reason, the 6c was produced with far fewer top selvage panes than bottom selvage panes. This fresh Mint N.H. top plate block is a true rarity.
With 2021 P.S.A.G. certificate (85 ogNH).
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., rich color, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., unusually wide margins all around, brilliantly color, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $775.00), this stamp is far more impressive than its numerical grade would suggest
8c Columbian (236). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, essentially perfect centering, deep shade, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $475.00), only one hinged stamp grades higher (three Mint N.H. grade higher)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., detailed impression and rich color, perfectly centered with long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex Curtis. With 2010 and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $5,150.00). Only two grade higher (at 98J) and only seven others share this grade
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., rich color, wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2019 P.S.A.G. (95 ogNH) and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $500.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $500.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., rich color, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate with top selvage (accompanies)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., deep shade, Very Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
10c Columbian (237). Top imprint and plate no. 99 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged in the top middle stamp, others Mint N.H., small natural inclusion in the selvage at left, Fine, Scott value $3,000.00
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., nicely balanced margins, deep rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,700.00)
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., choice centering with balanced margins, strong color and proof-like impression, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., rich color, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80; SMQ $675.00)
15c Columbian (238). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, deep intense color, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $400.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., bright color and paper, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,400.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., vivid color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED 30-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,400.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression, choice centering with balanced margins, Extremely Fine, ex Hoffman, with 2003 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,050.00)
30c Columbian (239). Original gum, vivid color, essentially perfect centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2000 P.F. and 2020 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $1,600.00), the highest grade awarded to a hinged example and shared by only five others (three Mint N.H. grade higher)
30c Columbian (239). Original gum, incredibly bold color, precise centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2020 P.S.A.G. certificate (95J og)