Sale 1199 — Gem-Quality United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 1-2 May, 2019
Category — 1895 Watermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 264-278)
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H., outstanding centering and margins, deep rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Dr. Killien, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $875.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. I (265). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, gorgeous vivid color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1895 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. 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.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificates (Gem 100 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $7,500.00 as 100). This is the only stamp to achieve this perfect grade in the P.S.E. Population Report. No other examples in any condition (Mint N.H., hinged or used) grade above 98J
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Mint N.H., vivid color and proof-like impression, essentially perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1895 TYPE II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Ex "Beverly Hills". With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $4,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a Mint N.H. Scott 266 and it is shared by only five others
2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mint N.H., mathematically perfect centering, vibrant color and detailed impression on bright white paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1895 TYPE III WATERMARKED ISSUE, WITH THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 FROM P.S.E.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $2,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a Scott 267 in any condition. Only one other Mint N.H. stamp has equaled it
2c Carmine, Ty. III (267). Mint N.H. with right plate no. 142 selvage, perfectly centered, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $950.00), only two have graded higher (at 100) and only five others share this grade
2c Pink, Ty. III (267a). Mint N.H. with wide part imprint top 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 three other Mint N.H. stamps have equaled it -- there is not even a hinged example graded higher than 95
3c Purple (268). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, essentially perfectly centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 WATERMARKED 3-CENT BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it has been equaled by only one other Mint N.H. stamp
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression, essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1898 4-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $4,250.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. stamp and it is shared by only two others
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 104 selvage, Jumbo margins and choice centering, deep rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful plate no. single, with 1997 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,000.00), only thee Mint N.H. Scott 269s grade higher (at 98, including the stamp offered in the previous lot), this is the only 95J in the P.S.E. Population Report
4c Dark Brown (269). Mint N.H. with extra wide top plate no. 92 selvage, pretty color, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2004 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,250.00), only four have graded higher
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H. with extra wide top plate no. 164 selvage, lovely warm shade, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,150.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by five others. This is the first in this grade we have offered since 2009, when we offered one with bottom plate number selvage.
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H., balanced margins and choice centering, deep rich color on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $850.00)
6c Dull Brown (271). Mint N.H., beautiful rich color and detailed impression, outstanding centering with unusually wide Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $5,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. to a Mint N.H. Scott 271 and it is shared by only one other
8c Violet Brown (272). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 555 selvage, beautifully centered with balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, ex "Whitpain", with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,950.00)
8c Violet Brown (272). Outstanding centering and margins, rich color, neat quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $525.00)
10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H. with top part imprint selvage, exceptional centering with balanced margins, deep rich color on post-office fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 10-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The 10c Green 1895 Issue with double-line watermark has an earliest known use of July 25, 1895. It superseded the 1894 unwatermarked Scott 258 and was subsequently replaced by the 10c Type I and Type II issues in Brown and Orange Brown (Scott 282C and 283) in 1898, during the color changes necessitated by the Universal Postal Union. Examples of any of the 10c Bureau issues in Mint N.H. condition graded higher than 95 are exceedingly rare. This is one of only two Scott 273s graded 98, while the other 10c issues each have populations of just one at 98 (one Scott 283a grades 100).
With 1987 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $10,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other. There is not even a hinged example that exceeds this 98 grade
10c Dark Green (273). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 63 selvage, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $775.00)
15c Dark Blue (274). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, choice centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 15-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Ex Dr. Killien and "Hanover". With 2001 P.F., 2001, 2006 and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,000.00). The P.S.E. Population Report records only three graded higher.
15c Dark Blue (274). Phenomenal centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich color on bright paper, registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, small backstamp, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, essentially perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, bright shade and detailed impression on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY UNUSED SCOTT 276 TO ACHEIVE THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 FROM P.S.E.
With 1976 P.F. and 2019 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95). This is the highest grade awarded to any unused Scott 276 and it is shared by no others. The highest Mint N.H. grade is XF 90
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 76 selvage, intense shade and impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1985 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Mint N.H. with full top plate no. 76 selvage, intense shade and detailed impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE II WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. ESPECIALLY RARE WITH THE PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE. THIS IS THE FIRST UNUSED PLATE NUMBER SINGLE WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
The Type II with plate number is only found on the right pane of the plate of 200 subjects. A review using Power Search shows we have never offered a single with plate number, and those contained in the five strips we have sold are all hinged. This is one of the rarest stamps of the issue to obtain in Mint N.H. condition -- we have only offered five other Mint N.H. singles since keeping computerized records (25 years), one of which was reperfed.
With 2004 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). With top plate no. 84 selvage, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $1,500.00)
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Wide margins and outstanding centering, deep rich color, neat duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 and 2000 P.F. certificates
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep shade, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate, for comparison purposes the highest grade awarded to a used copy of this shade is XF 90
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and precise centering, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. THIS STAMP STANDS ALONE AS THE HIGHEST GRADED $5.00 1894-95 BUREAU ISSUE, WITH THE P.S.E. GRADE OF SUPERB 98 JUMBO.
This Superb 98 Jumbo $5.00 1895 Issue is truly at the pinnacle of early Bureau issue stamps. The $5.00 1895 Issue is an exceedingly rare stamp in sound, well-centered Mint N.H. condition. This stamp is the highest graded Mint N.H. example, with margin size exceeding the ex-Whitman Superb 98 (Sale 968A, lot 337, realized $65,000 hammer). In surveying the dollar-value 1894-95 Bureau Issues, only the $1.00 Scott 261 has a Mint N.H. stamp in the P.S.E. Population Report with a grade exceeding 98J (a single example at 100). Among the other dollar values (Scott 261A, 262-263, 276-276A and 277) there is not even a single Mint N.H. example graded 98, much less the 98J grade of the $5.00 offered here. For Scott 278, only one Mint N.H. stamp has been graded 98, the aforementioned Whitman copy. Below the 98s, the next Mint N.H. grade drops down to 85.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $110,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
$5.00 Dark Green (278). With full top plate no. 85 selvage, original gum, single hinge mark, rich color on bright paper, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WITH TOP PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE.
This is the first top plate number example we have offered since 2003. With 1984 and 2004 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Choice margins and centering, deep rich color, light purple cancel, Extremely Fine, a lovely stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,250.00)
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Wide margins, rich color, light oval registry cancel, Very Fine, with 1997 and 2002 P.F. certificates