Sale 1199 — Gem-Quality United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 1-2 May, 2019
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centering, bright pastel colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $4,750.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only three others
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 102 selvage, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, choice centering with huge margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Scarsdale" -- this stamp has contradictory certification history; when offered in our "Scarsdale" sale (Sale 924, lot 73) it had 1987 and 2000 P.F. certificates as Mint N.H. and a 2004 P.S.E. certificate as Mint N.H. (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo), the older P.F. certificates no longer accompany and it now has a 2018 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H. (XF 90 XQ), the 2004 P.S.E. certificate also no longer accompanies and it now has a 2010 P.S.E. certificate as hinged (OGph, XF-Superb 95), but we and the P.F. see no trace whatsoever of hinging -- Scott Retail as Mint N.H.
1c Blue (247). Perfect centering, bright color on crisp paper, unobtrusive machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100; SMQ $1,850.00), this is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it
2c Pink, Ty. I (248). Mint N.H., vibrant color, essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 2-CENT TYPE I BUREAU ISSUE IN THE PINK SHADE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Beverly Hills". With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., beautiful dark shade and proof-like impression on fresh paper, long full perfs all around, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR ONE-OF-A-KIND MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I 1894 ISSUE IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS ULTIMATE GRADE.
As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. This example, with precise centering, Jumbo margins and perfectly formed perforations is an extreme condition rarity.
Ex Whitman and Merlin. With 1995 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $35,000.00 as 100). This is the only stamp to achieve this perfect grade in the P.S.E. Population Report. No other Mint N.H. examples grade above 98J
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Vivid color, Jumbo margins and choice centering, neat machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $350.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, beautifully balanced margins, post-office fresh in every respectEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 2-CENT CARMINE TYPE III BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, the P.S.E. Population Report records only one Mint N.H. Scott 252 at a grade higher than XF-Superb 95 (Superb 98) and only three at 95
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., brilliant color and proof-like impression showing every detail of the engraving, essentially perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 1894 3-CENT BUREAU ISSUE RECORDED. A SPECTACULAR STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. This example, with precise centering, wide margins and perfectly formed perforations, is a true condition rarity.
Ex "Scarsdale". 1997 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 253 in any condition (Mint N.H., hinged or used). It has been equaled by no others
4c Dark Brown (254). Mint N.H., deep rich color, wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine, ex Zoellner, with 1992 P.F. and 2018 P.S.E. certificates
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H., deep rich color, proof-like impression showing every detail of the engraving, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS THE ESSENCE OF PERFECTION. IT HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADED AWARDED.
According to Brookman, certain abrasive components of the ink used for printing the 5c stamp caused rapid plate wear. The stamp offered here, with such a remarkably detailed impression, in pristine condition and with superb centering, is truly the finest we have ever offered.
Ex "Scarsdale". 2001 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $9,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Scott 255 in any gum condition and it has been equaled by only one other Mint N.H. stamp
5c Chocolate (255). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 134 selvage, pretty shade, beautiful centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 5-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95.
With 1990 and 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,900.00). Only three have graded higher (one at 95J, two at 98).
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., rich color on post-office fresh paper, essentially perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 6-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 1996 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $11,000.00). Only one other has achieved this exalted grade, which is the highest awarded.
6c Dull Brown (256). Beautiful centering with wide margins, pretty shade, neat registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $800.00), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
50c Orange (260). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 75 strip of three, radiant color and proof-like impression, exceptionally well-centered and intactEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE STRIP OF THE 50-CENT 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The 1894 Issue was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's first effort at regular stamp production, and they experienced difficulty in applying perforations. This problem, coupled with the fact that only small quantities of high values were printed before watermarked paper was introduced (only 175,000 of the 50c), accounts for the rarity of 50c and dollar-value 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau stamps in choice condition. Plate number multiples are exponentially rarer, and this is perhaps the finest 50c 1894 we have handled. Using Power Search, we located one other Mint N.H. strip, a top position with similar centering.
With 2002 P.F. certificate.