Sale 1120 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 17-18 March, 2016
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H. block of four, outstanding centering, wonderfully fresh, Extremely Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
2c Columbian, "Broken Hat" (231 var). Mint N.H., exceptionally wide margins, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1993 P.F. certificate
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H. with bottom left corner selvage, extraordinarily wide margins, beautiful color and a sharp detailed impression on fresh paper, Extremely Fine, a stamp with great eye appeal, 1984 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $325.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H. with bottom right corner selvage, outstanding centering and Jumbo margins, marvelously bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $540.00)
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Mint N.H. block of four from the top of the sheet, natural straight edge at top, rich color, proof-like impression, top right stamp tiny natural inclusionFINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ERROR OF COLOR.
The 4c Columbian color error was caused by the use of a wrong batch of ink, and spectrographic analysis has shown that the blue inks of the 4c error and 1c Columbian have the same components.
Stamps from at least two panes reached collectors, and the few cancelled examples indicate that stamps used by the public came from additional panes. It is likely that a number of full sheets were printed using the wrong ink, and most of the stamps have simply been lost to philately.
With 2014 P.F. certificate as a block of nine (five stamps removed). Scott Retail as singles
5c Columbian (234). Bottom part imprint selvage, faintest trace of hinging (if any), exceedingly well-centered, gorgeous rich color and a crisp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. certificate for a plate block, 1993 P.F. certificate as a single (both stating "never hinged"), and a 2016 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $250.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. with bottom part imprint selvage, rich color and detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $925.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. with bottom right corner selvage, wide margins, excellent centering, brilliantly rich color, Extremely Fine, 2016 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $325.00)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H. block of four, outstanding centering throughout, deep rich color, Extremely Fine, a lovely block, with 2015 .P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; blocks unpriced in SMQ), Scott Retail as singles
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H. block of four, choice centering, deep vibrant color, Extremely Fine
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., wonderfully well-centered, stunning proof-like color and impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ESPECIALLY HANDSOME MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 1989 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,600.00)
50c Columbian (240). Mint N.H. with bottom left corner selvage, Jumbo margins, outstanding color that is especially rich and intense, tiny gum skip and a few light gum bends not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1995 P.F. certificate
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, lightly hinged, with bottom part imprint selvage, deep rich color, Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO-MARGINED LIGHTLY HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,150.00)
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, extra wide margins and beautiful centering, intense shade, Extremely Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate (XF 90 XQ)
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, intense shade, well centered with nicely proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2015 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H. with selvage at left, beautifully centered and incredibly fresh and crisp, wonderful fiery colorEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $14,250.00).
$1.00 Columbian (241). Mint N.H., vibrant color on post-office fresh paper, Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.A.G. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2015 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Well-centered, oval registry cancel, Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, wide margins, tiny trace of a thin speck, Very Fine appearance
$5.00 Columbian (245). Intense shade and impression, neat strike of 1895 Washington D.C. cancel, tiny natural inclusion in margin at upper left, Very Fine, purple backstamp, with 2015 P.F. certificate