Sale 1084 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 5-6 November, 2014
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
3521
1c-15c Columbian (230-232, 235-239). Used singles, mostly with wide margins and superior centering, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, several graded including 1c (95), 3c (95J), 8c (90), additional 8c (80, tiny corner crease) and 30c (P.S.E. 90J, P.F. 85)
258
365
3522
1c-30c Columbian (230-239). Blocks of four, including three 10c blocks (shade variety) and extra 3c block of 15 on piece (possibly largest known multiple), range of cancels including registry, target and duplex, some flaws and perf separations to be found but overall Fine appearing and unusual group of used blocks
2,704
1,000
Back to Top3523
1c-15c Columbian (230-233, 235-238). Group of single franking covers, including two 3c, one with illustrated Gettysburg commemorative design, 4c and 6c on hotel corner card, 15c on registered oil heater company corner card (faulty), some flaws and wear, overall Fine or appear so
E. 200-300
0
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1c Columbian (230). Top imprint, plate no. 151 and letter "M M" block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, faint natural gum bends, Very Fine
725
225
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1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 163 and letter "O O" block of eight, deep rich color, choice centering, fresh and Very Fine-Extremely Fine
1,050
225
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1c Columbian (230). Pane of 100 with selvage at sides and two imprint and plate nos. at top, original gum, both plates lightly hinged, approximately half of the stamps Mint N.H., few flaws as often found in large multiples including few perf separations expertly reinforced, tear in selvage at top and small thin spot away from the plate blocks, Fine-Very Fine, scarce pane of the 1c Columbian Issue, Scott Retail approximately
3,989
1,000
Back to Top3527
2c Columbian (231). Top imprint, plate no. 188 and letter "T T" block of eight, original gum, few small h.r., perf separations sensibly but significantly reinforced at center, light natural gum bend, Very Fine appearance
850
275
Back to Top3528
3c Columbian (232). Bottom imprint, plate no. 56 and letter "L" block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, Very Fine and choice, an attractive plate block
1,175
850
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4c Columbian (233). Top imprint, plate no. 16 and letter "D" block of eight, original gum, barely hinged, deep shade and detailed impression, fresh and Very Fine
1,800
1,100
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4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 16 and letter "D" block of eight, rich color, fresh and Fine-Very Fine Mint N.H. plate block
3,250
750
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4c Columbian (233). Vivid color, wide and beautifully balanced margins, neat strike of target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2012 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $575.00), only three others share this grade and only five have graded higher (all at 98J)
9
375
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5c Columbian (234). Bottom imprint, plate no. 7 and letter "B" block of eight, original gum, barely hinged, deep rich color, few perf separations expertly reinforced, Very Fine appearance
2,650
650
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5c Columbian (234). Perfectly centered with wide balanced margins, rich color and fine impression, neat waving flag machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $700.00), only three have graded higher
9
750
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5c Columbian (234). Tied by "Washington D.C. Jan. 4 2:30PM 1893" machine cancel on cover to Bavaria, Germany, New York and receiving backstamps, Very Fine early use, the earliest reported use of the 4c is Jan. 1, 1893, which was a Sunday, this was used just three days later and properly pays the 5c U.P.U. rate
E. 200-300
100
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6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. bottom left corner selvage imprint, plate no. 104 and letter "Z" block of fifteen, intense shade and impression, stamp above letter small thin spot, bottom left stamp small mark on gum, Fine-Very Fine appearance, Scott Retail as plate block of eight and singles
4,295
1,000
Back to Top3536
6c Columbian (235). Bottom imprint, plate no. 104 and letter "Z" block of eight, original gum, three stamps Mint N.H., others lightly hinged, perfectly centered throughout, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, top right stamp tiny corner crease, otherwise Extremely Fine, a remarkably well-centered plate block
1,800
500
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6c Columbian (235). Bottom imprint, plate no. 104 and letter Z" block of eight, original gum, h.r., bright color, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, Fine-Very Fine appearance, with 1978 P.F. certificate
1,800
0
Back to Top3538
8c Columbian (236). Bottom left corner selvage imprint, plate no. 133 and letter "I I" block of ten, original gum, lightly hinged, h.r. in bottom selvage where some perf separations sensibly reinforced, Very Fine appearance
1,880
850
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10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 99 and letter "Y" block of eight, deep rich color and proof-like impression, top left stamp small thin spot, bottom stamps natural gum creases, Fine appearance, a scarce Mint N.H. plate block
9,500
1,100
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10c Columbian (237). Mathematically perfect centering with massive Jumbo margins, rich color and clear impression, long and full perforations, light strike of duplex cancel leaves design clearly visible, Extremely Fine Gem, this stunning used stamp has been awarded the ultimate grade of Gem 100 Jumbo, which is the highest grade possible on the grading chart, ex Kirke, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,600.00 as 98), this is one of only two used Columbians to be awarded the highest possible grade of Gem 100 Jumbo, the other is a 6c, the next highest graded used 10c is a single example at 98J.
9
2,200
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15c Columbian (238). Bottom imprint, plate no. 58 and letter "M" block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and detailed impression, beautiful centering throughout, position 7 small surface scuff and crease at bottomEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The plate number block of eight is more desirable than the plate block of six configuration, which lacks the letter.
Ex Saddleback. With 2007 P.F. certificate
6,500
4,500
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30c Columbian (239). Bottom imprint, plate no. 59 and letter "N" block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, gorgeous color, outstanding centering, usual natural gum bends, some minor perf separationsEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND RARE PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
A Power Search review (which includes all of our Rarities sales) indicates that we have only sold six plate blocks of six and five other plate blocks of eight, plus a block of 18 containing two imprint and plate number multiples which has probably been broken. Of these, several had thin spots or small tears. None of the plate blocks of eight were as well centered as the example offered here
14,000
8,000
Back to Top3543
30c Columbian (239). Wonderfully well-balanced margins, fresh color, unobtrusive cancel at bottom, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2012 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $825.00), only three have graded higher
100
425
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30c Columbian (239). Tied by New York registry oval on cover to Mulheim, Germany, Sep. 24, 1895 origination and various transit backstamps, minor edgewear, Very Fine
E. 200-300
275
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50c Columbian (240). Bottom imprint, plate no. 77 and letter "S" block of eight, original gum, fresh intense shade, exceptionally well-centered, small and trivial perf reinforcement, position 3 has small thin spotVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A DESIRABLE AND RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The 50c Columbian is far rarer as a plate number block of eight than six. We located only ten plate blocks of this size using Power Search.
29,500
0
Back to Top3546
50c Columbian (240). Bottom imprint, plate no. 77 and letter "S" block of ten with corner selvage at right, original gum, not hinged but with some slight disturbance, exceptionally deep shadeFINE. A RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The 50c Columbian is far rarer as a plate number block of eight than six. We located only ten plate blocks of this size using Power Search. The 50c was printed from a single plate of 100 subjects, which were divided into panes of 50 (5 x 10) for shipment and sale at post offices. Therefore this plate block represents the two full bottom rows of the right pane.
Scott Retail as plate block of eight and two singles
30,500
0
Back to Top3547
50c Columbian (240). Rich color and detailed impression, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only three have graded higher
200
750
Back to Top3548
50c Columbian (240). Block of four, deep rich color, exceptionally choice centering, neat cancels, tiny perf thin at top of top right stamp, otherwise Very Fine-Extremely Fine, a rare used block, ex Twigg-Smith
2,000
900
Back to Top3549
50c Columbian (240). Block of ten, s.e. at top, tied by bold strikes of New York registry oval cancel on blue linen-lined piece, also with red crayon cancel at upper right, two stamps at lower right with flaws, Fine appearance, this may well be the largest recorded used multiple, Linn's Stamp Facts states a census has not been conducted but lists a block of four as the largest, this is the largest contained in Power Search
4,400
800
Back to Top3550
50c Columbian (240). S.e. at top, tied by "New York Jan. 8 3PM 1894" duplex datestamp on locally addressed cover, stamp affected by some toning, cover with small stains and tiny holes from thumb tacks, otherwise Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
E. 200-300
0
Back to Top3551
$1.00 Columbian (241). Cancelled by New York registry oval on registered cover to Germany, oval "New York N.Y. Reg'y. Div.3-13 1894" datestamp and registry label, receiving backstamp, Fine
1,900
500
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$1.00, $2.00, $5.00 Columbian (241, 242, 245). Choice centering, neat cancels, few faults including thin spots and light creases, Very Fine-Extremely Fine appearance
2,400
750
Back to Top3553
$2.00 Columbian (242). Block of four and vertical pair, tied by New York registry ovals on blue linen-lined piece, block with few perf separations prior to useFINE. A RARE PIECE CONTAINING A USED BLOCK OF FOUR AND PAIR OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
A block of four may be the largest recorded used multiple. This is also desirable with the registry oval cancels, which indicates proper use.
6,700
1,500
Back to Top3554
$2.00 Columbian (242). Clear margins all around, tied by New York registry oval with boxed Jun. 7, 1893 registered handstamp on cover to New York City and forwarded to Dresden, Germany, purple "Forwarded/(N.Y. Reg. Div.)" two-line handstamp, New York registry and Dresden receiving backstamps, some light soiling and tiny edge tear at bottom of cover, otherwise Very Fine, any use of the $2.00 Columbian on cover is scarce, this unusual registered and forwarded foreign use is especially desirable
2,000
1,100
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$3.00 Columbian (243). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, rich color, neat strike of Washington D.C. registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp
825
0
Back to Top3556
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Choice centering, intense shade and proof-like impression on fresh paper, bold New York duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem used example of the $3.00 Columbian in the Olive Green shade, with 2000 P.F. certificate (as No. 243)
825
800
Back to Top3557
$3.00 Columbian (243). Deep shade and sharp impression, clear strike of "New York" circular handstamp struck at bottom, shallow thin spot, Very Fine appearance, this is not a legitimate cancel, but the stamp is genuine, offered "as is"
825
325
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$4.00 Columbian (244). Radiant color, perfect "Boston Mass. Nov. 14 11-15P 1896" machine flag cancel, small thin spot at top right, Extremely Fine appearance
1,050
600
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