Sale 1048 — 2013 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 25 June, 2013
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. with huge bottom left corner sheet selvage, choice centering with wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED CORNER-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1988, 2004 and 2011 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95)
8c Trans-Mississippi, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (289a). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, few natural gum creases as found on most examples of this rare error, which originated from one pane of 50EXTREMELY FINE CENTERING AND VERY RARE. THIS IS THE ONLY MAJOR ERROR OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
Datz states that 25 pairs are known (including blocks).
Ex "Laila". With 2000 P.F. certificate.
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Top imprint and plate no. 603 pair with wide selvage, stamps Mint N.H., lightly hinged in selvage, brilliant color, detailed impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER PAIR OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1989 and 2013 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as two Mint N.H. singles with no premium for the position.
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., deep shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN CALLED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DESIGN IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.
Ex Hoffman. With 2004 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND FRESH MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1999 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Top right corner imprint and plate no. 606 block of 20, 13 stamps Mint N.H., minor hinge remnants on five stamps and selvage, intense shade and detailed impression, few perf separations mostly around bottom left of the multipleFINE-VERY FINE BLOCK OF 20 OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, CONTAINING A PLATE BLOCK OF SIX. A SPECTACULAR 19TH CENTURY COMMEMORATIVE EXHIBITION PIECE.
The $1.00 stamp issued for the Trans-Mississippi Exposition was based on an image of cattle in a storm in an engraving by C. O. Murray, a copy of which was loaned to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing by Mrs. C. B. Johnson. The engraving was used as a trademark by an American cattle company, but the image originated in an oil painting by J. A. MacWhirter entitled "The Vanguard", which depicts cattle in the West Highlands of Scotland. The Post Office Department was embarrassed when the painting was identified as the property of the Lord Blyworth, who was sent a formal apology and philatelic memento through the British Ambassador. The memento, a proof item, was donated to the Royal Philatelic Society by Lord Blysworth and hangs today on the walls of the Royal.
Three complete panes of 50 are recorded (we believe they are still intact). Apart from those panes, this is likely the next-largest multiple. Last offered in our 1983 Rarities sale, when the Scott Catalogue value was almost exactly the same. Scott Retail as plate block of six and singles