Sale 1084 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 5-6 November, 2014
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)
1c Ultramarine (246). Right imprint and plate no. 27 block of six, bottom four stamps Mint N.H., top pair lightly hinged, radiant color, Very Fine and choice
1c Ultramarine (246). Massive Jumbo margins and perfect centering, bright color, neat Boston double oval cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Kirke, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,000.00 as 98), this is the sole example to achieve this desirable grade with none higher, the next highest is a single example at 95J
1c Blue, Die Essay on Semi-Glazed Paper (247-E2a var). 61 x 50mm, brilliant color, without pencil notation, small thin spot at top left and light creasing at right, otherwise Very Fine, scarce, this is the first example of this dual-design essay we have offered since keeping computerized records, ex Green
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H. right imprint and plate no. 98 block of six, deep rich color, choice centering, few natural gum bends, fresh and Extremely Fine
2c Pink, Ty. I, 2c Carmine, Ty. II, III (248, 251, 252). Imprint and plate no. blocks of six, original gum, few h.r., few perf separations sensibly reinforced, Fine-Very Fine appearance, a nice representation of three different triangle types
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Bottom imprint and plate no. 20 block of six, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top stamps original gum, h.r., intense color, fresh and Fine, scarce plate block
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Brilliant color, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, bold machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, the 2c shades are perhaps the most difficult issues to obtain in choice condition, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unlisted in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,050.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares it
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, neat machine cancel, intense shade and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $750.00 as 98), only one has graded higher and one other shares this grade
3c Purple (253). Top imprint and plate no. 107 block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., two at bottom left barely hinged, bright color, fresh and Very Fine, the top stamps are especially choice
3c Purple (253). Bottom imprint and plate no. 95 block of ten, slightly disturbed original gum, top center stamp tiny natural gum crease is barely visible, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as plate block and block of four
4c Dark Brown (254). Bottom imprint and plate no. 106 block of eight, seven Mint N.H., top center left stamp thin spot, horizontal creases affect both rows, otherwise Very Fine
5c Chocolate (255). Bottom imprint and plate no. 134 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, radiant color, light natural paper wrinkles are barely noticeable, Fine-Very Fine
5c Chocolate (255). Gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, intense shade and impression, long and full perforations all around, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Natalee Grace, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $250.00 as 95, $1,250.00 as 98), only one has graded higher (at 98) and only three others share this grade
6c Dull Brown (256). Bottom imprint and plate no. 28 block of twelve, natural s.e. and part arrow at right, original gum, few h.r. where some perf separations sensibly reinforced, pretty shade, Fine and scarce, ex Wampler, Scott Retail as plate block and two blocks of four
6c Dull Brown (256). Perfectly centered with Jumbo and even margins, deep shade on brilliant paper, neat strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, the 6c was issued on July 18, 1894 and was the first denomination of the Bureau series to be issued, ex Natalee Grace, with 2003 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $600.00 as 95, unpriced as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and only one other shares this grade
8c Violet Brown (257). Bottom imprint and plate no. 58 block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, choice centering, fresh and Very Fine, Scott Retail as plate block and two singles
10c Dark Green (258). Right imprint and plate no. 62 block of six, center stamps Mint N.H., others lightly hinged, pretty shade, fresh and Fine
10c Dark Green (258). Jumbo balanced margins, bright shade on crisp paper, light cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $500.00 as 95, unpriced as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only one other
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., intense color, well-centered, light natural gum crease at top right, Very Fine, with photocopy of 1996 P.F. certificate for block of four as sound and with 2013 P.F. certificate
15c Dark Blue (259). Bottom imprint and plate no. 52 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, light natural gum bendsFINE-VERY FINE. A RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1894 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
We have offered only three others since keeping computerized records, all from the bottom position, including one without gum. The centering on the plate block offered here is superior to the others
50c Orange (260). Bottom imprint and plate no. 75 block of six, original gum, positions 3-6 Mint N.H., bright colorFINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1894 50-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
Lewis Kaufman records fewer than ten plate blocks of this issue. We have offered only one other example since at least 1993, which was stained and not nearly as choice as this plate block.
With 2007 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I, II (261-261A). Bottom imprint and plate no. 76 block of six, left two stamps Type I, right four stamps Type II, original gum, small h.r. top center stamp, other five stamps Mint N.H., intense shade on bright white paper, centered slightly to top leftFINE-VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED ORIGINAL-GUM COMBINATION PLATE BLOCKS OF THE $1.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A MAGNIFICENT SHOWPIECE.
The $1.00 1894-95 Issue was printed in a sheet of 200 comprised of two panes of 100. The left pane and left half of the right pane were Type I, while the right half of the right pane was Type II. Imprint and plate number multiples from the right pane consist of one Type I and two Type II stamps. Combination pairs and strips, which exist only between the fifth and sixth columns, are extremely rare and desirable. Plate number strips and blocks are of even greater rarity, and only a small number of the 1894 unwatermarked issue exist. According to Bartels and Brookman, only 8,762 of the Type II were issued in total, and of these only a small fraction (about 20%) come from the positions that could yield combination pairs.
With the emergence of the block of eight offered in our 2012 Frelinghuysen sale, we record only four combination imprint and plate number blocks, and our census was confirmed by Lewis Kaufman. They are: 1) block of six, four stamps Mint N.H., ex "MLG" (Siegel sale 971, lot 1165); 2) block of six, five stamps Mint N.H., ex Bauer and Wampler, the block offered here; 3) originally a bottom imprint and plate no. block of 20 (since broken out as a plate block -- the right six stamps of this multiple were offered in Part Two of the Alan B. Whitman Collection), small separation, currently in a private collection; 4) block of eight, two stamps Mint N.H., ex Frelinghuysen (Siegel sale 1021, lot 460).
Ex Bauer and Wampler
15c Dark Blue (259). Perfectly centered with unusually wide and balanced margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, neat strike of oval registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 15-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS WONDERFUL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
Ex Natalee Grace. With 1999 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,800.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade.
15c Dark Blue (259). Exceptionally rich color on bright paper, balanced margins, neat cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $300.00), this stamp is difficult to find in the higher grades, only three stamps in the P.S.E. Population Report have been graded higher
50c Orange (260). Jumbo margins and precise centering, vivid color on fresh paper, neat town cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, ex Kirke, with 2011 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced above the grade of 95, SMQ $1,500.00 as 95), this is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only three used stamps graded better than 90 -- one each at 90J and 95, and this example at 95J
$1.00 Black (261). Choice centering with Jumbo balanced margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, bold strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp in every respect, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (261). Tied by "Heusler Ind. "Jan. 18, 1895" circular datestamp, second strike to left on registered cover to Mount Vernon N.J., blue "Registered No. 13." straightline with numeral in manuscript, stamp lifted to confirm lack of watermark and hinged backVERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE $1.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
This cover was prepared by Dr. Ernst Heusler of Heusler, Indiana. According to web sources consulted, the town was probably named for Dr. Heusler, who was the first postmaster when the post office was established in 1893.
With 1980 P.F. and 2000 A.P.S. certificates
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Slightly disturbed original gum, intense shade and impression, natural gum crease at bottom, thin spot at upper left, Very Fine appearance
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Intense shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, bold duplex cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,100.00), only three have graded higher and three others share this grade
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Wide and perfectly balanced margins, almost face-free cancel, reperfed at left and bottom but with clear 2007 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95), Extremely Fine appearance
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Choice centering with Jumbo margins, attractive shade, bold strike of registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A SCARCE WIDE-MARGINED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1985 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $3,800.00 as 85, $6,300.00 as 90). Only two have graded higher (at 90J, EDU and ex Natalee Grace, and 98) and no others share this grade.