Sale 1140 — Outstanding United States Stamps, featuring The Irwin Weinberg Inventory
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 9-11 November, 2016
Category — $1.00-$5.00 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 241-245)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright white paper, three wide margins, fresh and Fine, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Disturbed original gum, rich color, choice centering with wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (DOG, XF 90; SMQ $1,600.00 as hinged)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, vivid shade and impression, fresh and Very Fine
$2.00 Columbian (242). Mint N.H., deep rich color, proof-like impression, fresh and Very Fine
$2.00 Columbian (242). Well-centered, rich color, light and unobtrusive cancel, Very Fine and choice, ex Lyons, with 1999 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, rich color, intense impression, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A HANDSOME ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,800.00). Only six have graded higher
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, tiny natural straw inclusions not mentioned on accompanying certificates, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates
$3.00 Columbian (243). Exceptional centering, rich color, unusually light cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,750.00)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Attractive shade, light circular datestamp cancel, Very Fine, with Brettl and Pfenninger backstamps
$4.00 Columbian (244). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright white paperFRESH AND FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED $4.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2014 P.S.E. certificate (F 70; SMQ $3,750.00)
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, single small hinge mark, radiant color, choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN UNUSUALLY WIDE-MARGINED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $5,000.00).
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, well-centered, vivid color, tiny natural inclusion not mentioned on accompanying certificates, Extremely Fine, with 1985 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,750.00)
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, nicely balanced margins, deep rich color, Extremely Fine
$4.00 Columbian (244). Unused (no gum), brilliant color, wide and well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,500.00)
$4.00 Columbian (244). Unused (no gum), vivid color, choice centering and margins, small natural straw inclusion at top left, Very Fine and choice
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Unused (regummed), vibrant color, torn perf and small closed tear at top, otherwise Very Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (VG-F 60), this has nice centering and was significantly downgraded for the small faults
$4.00 Columbian (244). With part imprint and "107" plate no. selvage at bottom, brilliant color, wide margins, four strikes of target cancel, Very Fine and choice, a stunning used $4.00 Columbian, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail without premium for the imprint selvage
$4.00 Columbian (244). Well-struck "New York Oct. 3 12:30 PM 93" duplex cancel, rich color, Extremely Fine
$4.00 Columbian (244). Well-centered, fresh color, New York circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, intense shade and impression, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $4,500.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, detailed impression on fresh paper, choice centering with balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, VF-XF 85; SMQ $3,250.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, lightly hinged, strong shade, Very Fine, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Perfectly centered with wide margins approaching Jumbo proportions, intense shade and proof-like impression, neat registry cancel leaves design completely visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO ANY USED DOLLAR VALUE COLUMBIAN.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. Of the five different dollar denominations, a total of eight copies have been graded 98 and none have been graded higher (four $2.00 and two each of the $3.00 and $5.00). None of the $1.00 or $4.00 stamps have graded 98. The $5.00 denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is lightly cancelled for a registered use, the paper is fresh and bright and it is perfectly centered. It is a true condition rarity.
With 2016 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $13,500.00). Only one other used stamp shares this grade, from our 2012 sale of the Natalee Grace collection.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Intense shade and impression, centrally-struck "New-York P.O. May 15 10AM " circular datestamp, faint thin at top, Very Fine appearance, with Brettl backstamp