Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., wide Jumbo margins, bright color and fine impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00 as 95, $2,600.00 as 98)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., attractive margins and exceptionally well-centered, bright color and sharp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $600.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautifully centered with wide and balanced margins, bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE. A STAMP WITH STUNNING VISUAL APPEAL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,650.00). Only three have graded higher to date (all 98J) and only 14 others share this grade. We have only offered two of these in our previous auctions.
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright white paper, beautifully centered with extra wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $5,650.00). Only three have graded higher to date (all 98J) and only 14 others share this grade. We have only offered two of these in our previous auctions.
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., nearly perfect centering, magnificent color and sharp impression on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,350.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H. with plate no. 76 selvage at bottom, rich color, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $380.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., wide margins and superb centering, deep rich color with a detailed impression, inconsequential tiny gum inclusion speck, Extremely Fine Gem
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1994 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $9,200.00). Only three have graded higher to date.
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, superior centering, long and full perforations all around, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,200.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, unusually choice centering with wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2002 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,200.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., large Jumbo margins and exceptionally well-centered in addition, lovely pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $660.00 as 90, $2,200.00 as 95)
4c Columbian (233). Original gum, lightly hinged, huge Jumbo margins and essentially perfectly centered, light pastel color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $295.00 as 95, $600.00 as 98)
4c Columbian (233). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, almost perfectly centered, bright color, Extremely Fine, with 2004 P.F. certificate
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, balanced Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 1995 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,450.00 as 95, $9,000.00 as 98)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,450.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression showing every detail of the engraving, almost perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,450.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H. horizontal block of six, wonderfully fresh, Fine and attractive, Scott Retail as six Mint N.H. singles
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H. horizontal block of six, crisp color and attractively centered, Fine-Very Fine
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, remarkably detailed impression showing every nuance of the engraving, bright paper, long and full perforations all around, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT COLUMBIAN HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $9,200.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98 Jumbo) and only four others share this desirable grade. The highest grade we have previously offered is a 95J. A comparison of the P.S.E.'s Population Report for other mid-denomination Columbian stamps indicates how scarce this is in higher grades. For example, the 5c has 20 stamps graded 98 or higher, the 4c has 17 stamps graded 98 or higher and the 3c has 18 graded 98 or higher. The only comparable denomination is the 8c, with eight copies graded 98 or higher. Surprisingly, the 4c through 8c have virtually the same SMQ value, despite the significantly different populations.
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., radiant color on post-office fresh paper, Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a gorgeous stamp, with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $660.00 as 90, $2,200.00 as 95)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., intense shade, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $660.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., essentially perfectly centered, fresh and crisp, strong dark color, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
6c Columbian (235). Original gum, barest trace of hinging (appears Mint N.H.), large almost perfectly balanced margins, outstanding color on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $295.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, "Z" and plate no. 104 block of eight, fresh, natural crackly original gum, centered right, Fine
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with Jumbo margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1998 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,150.00 as 95, $9,100.00 as 98).
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,150.00)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at left, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $340.00)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., choice margins and exceptionally well-centered, dark color on bright paper, Extremely Fine, with photocopy of 1991 P.F. certificate for block of four (top left stamp)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., choice margins and beautifully centered, the preferred Grayish Black shade, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,150.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,150.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., wonderfully well-centered, fresh and bright, in the preferred Gray Black shade, trivial natural gum bends, Extremely Fine
10c Columbian (237). Original gum, barely hinged, wonderfully well-centered, in the preferred Gray Black shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $440.00)
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., brilliant color, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 .. (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,200.00)
15c Columbian (238). Original gum with left selvage, h.r., great centering with exceptionally wide side margins, deep intense color, Extremely Fine
15c Columbian (238). Wide margins all around, crisp impression, bold cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $820.00), only two examples have graded higher to date (both 95J) and only two others share this grade
15c Columbian (238). Wide margins all around, almost perfect centering, crisp white paper, Extremely Fine, with 1985 A.P.S. and 2008 P.F. certificates
15c Columbian (238). Rich color, wide and balanced margins, neat strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $255.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, beautiful centering, long and full perforationsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,850.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned marginsEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,350.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,350.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75; SMQ $315.00 as 70, $850.00 as 80)
30c Columbian (239). Original gum, faintly hinged, wide margins, almost perfectly balanced, delightful color and clear impression, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
30c Columbian (239). Original gum, lightly hinged, almost perfectly centered, bright color and crisp impression, Very Fine and choice
30c Columbian (239). Bright color, choice centering with Jumbo margins, neat strike of Boston registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $290.00 as 90, $840.00 as 95)
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, beautifully centered, fresh, intense color, Extremely Fine
50c Columbian (240). Choice margins and nearly perfect centering, incredibly intense shade, neat corner cancel, Extremely Fine Gem
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, h.r., choice centering, fresh bright color, Extremely Fine
$1.00 Columbian (241). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, rich fiery color, top right stamp tiny natural inclusion, Fine - Very Fine, an attractive and scarce block in fresh and sound condition
$1.00 Columbian (241). Block of four, original gum, rich color, centered to bottom, perfs close to barely touch, about Fine
$1.00 Columbian (241). Tied by cork and New Oxford Pa. circular datestamp on blue piece, rich fiery color and mostly face-free cancel, Fine and attractive
$1.00 Columbian (241). Well-centered, New York double oval cancel, Extremely Fine
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, wonderful centering with choice margins, wide at sides, strong color with a proof-like impression, Extremely Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Columbian (242). Bottom imprint, "AA" and plate no. 105 strip of four, original gum, pos. 2-4 thin spots, trivial on pos. 4, pos. 1 sound, Very Good appearance
$2.00 Columbian (242). Block of four, original gum, small hinge reinforcement between top pair, centered to right, perfs essentially clear, about Fine
$2.00 Columbian (242). Well-centered, light registry oval cancel, Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80; SMQ $700.00)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Almost perfectly centered, rich color, oval registry cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $980.00)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, precisely centered, lovely bright color, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, fresh, vibrant color, right perfs touch on top left stamp, clear on others, Fine
$3.00 Columbian (243). Choice margins and near-perfect centering, magnificent deep intense color, neat unobtrusive corner circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, lovely used example, with 2004 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Wonderfully well-centered, rich color and light cancel, Very Fine and choice, a handsome used example of the $3.00 Columbian, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,450.00)
$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (243a). Magnificent centering with choice color and impression, unobtrusive duplex cancel, small internal crease, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2000 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color in this distinctive sub-shade, wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE ROSE CARMINE SHADE.
With 1991 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $4,350.00)
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, deep rich colorEXTREMELY FINE. A VERY ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $4,350.00)
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, handsome centering with strong intense colorEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL $4.00 COLUMBIAN WITH ORIGINAL GUM.
with 1985 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Block of four, original gum, lovely bright color, light corner thin top left stampFINE-VERY FINE. ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING WELL-CENTERED $4.00 COLUMBIAN BLOCKS.
As dollar-value Columbian blocks are broken to feed the demand for choice singles, well-centered blocks such as this are becoming scarcer.
$4.00 Columbian (244). Tied on piece by completely face-free "Cincinnati Sta. E Recd Dec 13 2PM 93" circular datestamp, incredibly deep rich color, Very Fine, exceptionally handsome
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, single hinge mark, intense shade and impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 1983 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, lightly hinged, uncommonly wide margins approaching Jumbo dimensions, intense shade, Very Fine, with 1978 and 1988 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Columbian (245). Exceptionally well-centered, tiny part of the rim of a face-free circular datestamp at right, almost blends in with the design, internal crease at right, otherwise Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Block of four with selvage at right, original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impressionVERY FINE. A SCARCE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Block of four, original gum, attractive margins and strong shade, inconsequential corner bend or crease top rightFINE-VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE BLOCK OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
As dollar-value Columbian blocks are broken to feed the demand for choice singles, well-centered blocks such as this are becoming scarcer.