Sale 1166 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 24-26 October, 2017
Category — 1894-98 Bureau Issues (Scott 246-284)
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., brilliant color on crisp paper, Very Fine, with copy of 1992 P.F. certificate for strip
6c Dull Brown (256). Original gum, lightly hinged, near perfect centering, rich color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1989 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $575.00)
8c Violet Brown (257). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, choice centering with Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,800.00), only five have graded higher (four at 95, one at 98) and one other shares this grade (the other has a shortened perf mentioned on the certificate)
50c Orange (260). Original gum, vibrant color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black (261). Large part original gum, exceptionally well-centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1983 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as original gum
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, proof-like impression on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, with copy of 2000 P.F. certificate for block of four and with 2003 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged at right and bottom right (almost appears Mint N.H.), intense shade on bright paper, Very Fine, with 1982 and 2017 P.F. certificates
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade on fresh paper, Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, intense shade and impression on bright paper, Fine
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Slightly disturbed original gum, bright color, natural inclusion in Madison's tie, Very Fine
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, h.r., rich color, small natural paper wrinkle at bottom left, Very Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H. with left part imprint selvage, rich color on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED STAMP IS GRADE GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE GRADING CHART.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $2,250.00 as 100). This is the highest grade possible on the grading chart and it is shared by only one other
2c Carmine, Ty. II-III (266-267). Mint N.H. block of four, left stamps Type II, brilliant color, Fine-Very Fine combination block, of the six plates used to print the Type II stamp (Scott 266), only one, plate 170, contained a combination of both Types II and III -- only three rows from one pane were Type II, leaving a total of ten positions out of the plate that can yield this combination of types, Scott Retail as two pairs
2c Pink, Ty. III (267a). Mint N.H. with wide top part imprint selvage, radiant color, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00), this is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it, this is also the first graded Mint N.H. example we have offered in one of our auctions
3c Purple (268). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 107 block of six with wide selvage, choice centering throughout, Extremely Fine, a rare plate block in such superb condition and especially desirable from the top position, with 2017 P.S.E. certificate
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 196 selvage, rich color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2003 and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
15c Dark Blue (274). Original gum, small h.r., perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, intense shade and impression on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a stunning stamp, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,650.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded to a hinged stamp and it is the only example to achieve this grade (one Mint N.H. has graded higher)
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 2004 and 2015 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
15c-$5.00 1895 Bureau Issue, Imperforate (274a-278a). Set of five pairs representing the top values of the series, original gum, margins all around throughout with some large, 50c with top part arrow sheet margin, deep rich colors, 50c with slight thin in selvage onlyVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE SET OF IMPERFORATE PAIRS OF THE HIGH-VALUE 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
In Brookman Volume III, pages 128-129, a complete account of the origin of the 1895 Imperforates is quoted from a column by George B. Sloane. We provide excerpts: "At the time they appeared, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing had, but a short time previously, taken over the stamp printing contract from the American Bank Note Co. and were unfamiliar with and inexperienced in quantity production of postage stamps. Gilbert E. Jones, one of the owners of the New York Times, had rendered the Bureau invaluable technical advice and assistance in the organization of their facilities, and the Bureau desired to reward him in some way for his services. Mr. Jones was well-known collector, interested only in stamps in imperforate pairs, and when the subject was broached he suggested that, while he desired no recompense, if the Bureau could give him an imperforate pair or block of each of the stamps then in current use, for his collection, he would feel more than amply repaid."
Sloane then explains that the Bureau was restricted from presenting him with stamps from stock, but did allow him to buy regular perforated stamps on sale at the post office and exchange them for imperforates. Although the Scott Catalogue at first did not recognize the imperforates as regularly-issued stamps, from 1916 they inserted a statement "All denominations of this issue exist imperforate but they were not regularly issued in that condition".
50c Orange (275). Mint N.H., intense color, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1994 P.F. certificate for block of 16
50c Orange, Imperforate (275b). Horizontal pair, original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, detailed impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, barely hinged, well-balanced margins and bright color, Very Fine and choice, ex "Laila", with 1996 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, rich color, fresh, Very Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Small part original gum, h.r., rich color, Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as no gum
15c Olive Green (284). Mint N.H., pretty shade, wide margins, fresh and Very Fine, ex Dr. Morris, with 1990 P.F. certificate