Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1890-93 Issue (Scott 219-229)
2c Lake (219D). Mint N.H., deep rich color in the unmistakable Lake color, proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1890 2-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE IN THE LAKE SHADE, SCARCE IN SUCH PRISTINE CONDITION -- THIS IS A TRUE CONDITION RARITY.
With 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,500.00)
2c Lake (219D). Original gum, wide Jumbo margins, rich color and sharp impression, handsomely centered and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $540.00 as 90, $950.00 as 95)
2c Carmine, Cap on Both "2"'s (220c). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2003 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (223). Mint N.H., pretty shade on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1890 ISSUE, SCOTT 223.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,300.00)
5c Chocolate (223). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins all around, bright paper, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,000.00 as 90, $3,300.00 as 95)
5c Chocolate (223). Original gum, lightly hinged, huge Jumbo margins and essentially perfectly centered, wonderful color on fresh bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $425.00 as 95, $750.00 as 98)
5c Chocolate, 10c Green (223, 226). Original gum, faintly hinged, rich colors, both well-centered, 5c essentially perfect, Extremely Fine pair, 5c with 2004 P.F. certificate and 10c with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
6c Brown Red (224). Mint N.H., choice margins and exceptional centering, beautiful color on bright white paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $475.00)
6c Brown Red (224). Original gum, exceptionally well-centered, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- A REMARKABLE STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,300.00 as 95, $8,200.00 as 98). Only one stamp has graded higher to date on the P.S.E. Population Report, and only one other shares this grade.
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H., nice margins and centering, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
10c Green (226). Mint N.H. with wide selvage with part imprint at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A PRISTINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $2,200.00 as 90, $7,000.00 as 95).
15c Indigo (227). Mint N.H., deep rich color on bright paper, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1890 ISSUE.
The 15c 1890 stamp is, in our opinion, one of the most striking designs of the Gilded Age regular issues. Its distinctive three-quarter portrait of Henry Clay is elegantly framed and printed in an extraordinarily deep shade of Indigo Blue. The beauty of the issue is enhanced in examples such as this stamp, which provides a balanced frame of white margins around the design. Further endowed with Mint N.H. gum and unusual freshness, this stamp ranks among the very finest we have offered.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1998 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $9,500.00). Only one Mint N.H. stamp has graded higher in the P.S.E. Population Report, a statistic that has not changed in two years.
15c Indigo (227). Original gum, barest trace of what may be hinging, deep rich color on bright paper, enormous margins and unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS GORGEOUS STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1990 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $2,100.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade and only one has graded higher.
15c Indigo (227). Original gum, lightly hinged, especially wide margins and fabulously well-centered, intense color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
15c Indigo (227). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractively centered, magnificent intense color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with 1997 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $610.00)
15c Indigo (227). Original gum, small gum disturbance from hinge removal, uncommonly wide margins of near Jumbo proportions, especially top and bottom, intense color on bright paper, outstanding centering, Extremely Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate (does not mention the small gum disturbance)
30c Black (228). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide margins, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1890 BUREAU ISSUE.
This is probably the most difficult value of this series to find in such outstanding condition.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $4,300.00)
30c Black (228). Mint N.H., exceptionally well-centered, intense color on fresh paper, lovely impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A CHALLENGING 1890 ISSUE HIGH VALUE TO FIND IN THIS PREMIUM GRADE..
With 2008 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $4,300.00)
30c Black (228). Mint N.H., large margins Jumbo proportions, outstanding full intense shade on bright paper, clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A SENSATIONAL JUMBO-MARGINED MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
With 2003 P.S.E. certificate
30c Black (228). Block of four, original gum, h.r., top left stamp strong double transfer (Mr. Brett suggested that this may be a "foreign relief" but was not sure, he thought "90c closest"), bottom pair crease, otherwise Fine, double transfer listed but unpriced