Sale 972 — The Laila Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Monday-Tuesday, 27-28 April, 2009
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Original gum, deep rich color on fresh paper, choice centering with wide even marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 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 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $23,200.00). Only two examples have graded higher to date. No other stamps share this grade.
1c-4c Columbian (230-233). Mint N.H., 3c with part imprint at right, rich colors, Very Fine-Extremely Fine
5c-6c Columbian (234-235). 6c Mint N.H., 5c lightly hinged, bright colors, detailed impressions, Very Fine, 6c with 2002 P.F. certificate
6c-8c Columbian (235-236). Mint N.H., 6c with bottom right corner selvage, rich colors on bright paper, usual natural gum bends, Very Fine
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H. with plate no. 103 selvage at top, intense shade and impression, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate for pair
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., choice centering, free of the natural gum bends often found on this issue, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., wide balanced margins, detailed impression on bright white paper, Extremely Fine, with 2001 and 2006 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., bright shade and crisp impression, fresh and Very Fine
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., three Jumbo margins, rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate
50c Columbian (240). Mint N.H., deep shade, fresh and Fine, includes detached plate no. 77 bottom selvage, with 1999 P.F. certificate for a pair
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, barest trace of hinging (accompanying certificate states Mint N.H.), deep rich color, Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate as Mint N.H., Scott Retail as hinged
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, nicely centered, bright color, tiny natural inclusion, Very Fine
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice centering with balanced margins, beautiful color, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 1988 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Natural crackly gum, lightly hinged, bright shade, Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Original gum, brilliant color, wide and balanced margins, tiny natural inclusion, Very Fine, with 1985 P.F. certificate.
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, beautiful centering with wide margins, bright color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Left part imprint selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, Very Fine, desirable with the part imprint, with 1989 P.F. certificate