Sale 1159 — 2017 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2017
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Large Die Proofs on Card (230P1-245P1). Printed directly on 220 x 142mm cards, $5.00 measuring 210 x 140mm, fresh colors, edges of a few cards showing the barest traces of toningVERY FINE AND DESIRABLE SET OF LARGE DIE PROOFS OF THE 1893 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION ISSUE.
The Columbian Issue large die proofs come as hybrids, printed directly on card and on India paper die sunk on card. This set is printed directly on cards.
2c Columbian (231). Rich color, tied by "Salem Mass. Jan. 2 6:30PM 1893" duplex datestamp and oval cancel on Sheet Metal Worker's corner card First Day cover to Frank E. Locke in Salem Mass.VERY FINE. A RARE FIRST DAY COVER BEARING THE 2-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The official Columbian First Day of Issue was January 1, 1893, which was a Sunday; most post offices were closed, so January 2 is also accepted as the First Day of Issue.
With 1971 AFDCS certificate.
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Mint N.H. block of four with right selvage, wonderful depth of color, proof-like impression, completely soundFINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR 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 2017 P.S.E. certificate. Scott Retail as singles
50c Columbian (240). Bottom imprint and plate no. 77 block of six, slightly disturbed original gum, exceptionally deep shadeVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 2016 P.S.A.G. certificate
$2.00 Columbian (242). Radiant color on bright paper, neat corner strike of New York datestamp, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,250.00)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Block of four, deep rich color and proof-like impression, each stamp well-centered with wide margins, New York registry oval cancels, a few perf separations not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE USED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2015 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Original gum, gorgeous pastel colorEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE ROSE CARMINE SHADE.
With 1983 and 2013 P.F. certificates (XF 90 XQ)
$4.00 Rose Carmine (244a). Pastel color, perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, face-free strike of target cancel, tiny natural wood fiber inclusionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND IT IS SHARED BY NO OTHERS.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95). This is the only used $4.00 Columbian in either of the listed shades (Scott 244 and 244a) graded Superb 98. By way of comparison, for the other used denominations higher than $2.00, there are two used $3.00 stamps graded 98 (SMQ $10,750.00) and there are two used $5.00 graded 98 (SMQ $13,500.00). Given the population of this single $4.00 at this lofty grade, we feel the SMQ value for the $5.00 is an appropriate comparison. The Scott Catalogue supplement agrees and assigns a $13,500.00 value to the used $4.00 graded 98
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00)
1c-$4.00 Columbian (230/244). Three pink registered covers addressed to Berlin, each with E. Doeblin's "Theater Leih Bibliothek" illustrated corner card, first cover bearing $3.00 along with $1.00 and 1c with left selvage, $1.00 with right part imprint selvage (and small edge tear at bottom), tied by unusual "Allegheny Pa. Clerk 3 Nov. 28, 1893" circular datestamps, red "Registered, Nov. 28, 1893, Allegheny, Pa." three-line boxed datestamp, New York registry label and receiving backstamps, second cover with $2.00, 50c and two 3c, $2.00 with left part imprint selvage, same Allegheny Pa. circular datestamp and registered datestamp and label, third cover bearing $4.00 along with 6c and 3c, $4.00 with bottom part imprint selvage, same markings and label as prior two covers, 6c separated unevenly at bottom right causing faultVERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE TRIO OF ILLUSTRATED COVERS WITH DOLLAR-VALUE COLUMBIANS SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL TO GERMANY.
Ex "World's Fair" collection. With 2014 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail for the individual stamps offered here off cover is more than $3,200.00. Scott Retail for three covers bearing one copy each of $2.00, $3.00 and $4.00 is $8,500.00
$1.00-$4.00 Columbian (241-244). Three covers to George Bush in Cato (or Kato) Pa., first with $1.00 and $4.00, latter with right selvage, each tied by "Cato Pa. Sep. 15, 1893" circular datestamp, $4.00 with few light toned spots around perfs not mentioned on accompanying certificate, second bearing $2.00 and $4.00, bright colors, $4.00 centered to lower left, each tied by "Cato Pa. Sep. 15, 1893" circular datestamp, the datestamp on the $4.00 was rotated when applied, third cover with $2.00 and $3.00, latter with right part imprint selvage, each tied by "Cato Pa. Sep. 15, 1893" circular datestamp, trivial gum toning around perfsVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING TRIO OF DOLLAR-VALUE COLUMBIAN ISSUE COVERS, INCLUDING THE ONLY RECORDED COVER BEARING THE $1.00 AND $4.00 USED TOGETHER WITH NO OTHER STAMPS.
The 2013 Ludeman Columbian Dollar-Value Cover Census lists only this cover with a combination of the $1.00 and $4.00 (apart from covers with additional dollar-value stamps). The census lists three combination covers with the stamps on the second cover offered here, and two with the stamps on the third cover offered here.
The town of Cato (or Kato) near Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, prospered when the Kato Coal Company began mining operations in 1890. S. M. Buck was the postmaster in 1892 and 1893. The mine was eventually depleted and the town lost almost all of its population by the 1940's.
Ex "World's Fair" collection. With 2014 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail for the six stamps offered here off cover is $4,625.00. Scott Retail for three covers bearing one copy each of $4.00 (two covers) and $3.00 is $10,500.00