Sale 953 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 25-28 March, 2008
Category — 1890-93 Issue (Scott 219-229)
1c Dull Blue (219). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, beautifully centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE. THIS STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- IT STANDS ALONE AS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE.
Ex Saadi and Scarsdale. With 1990 and 2000 P.F. certificates. With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,200.00 as 95, $4,100.00 as 98).
2c Lake (219D). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and well-centered, strong deep color on bright paper, natural vertical inking flaw, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine (220). Mint N.H. with top "X" and "No" selvage, beautifully centered and gorgeous color, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate for horizontal pair
2c Carmine, Cap on Both "2"'s (220c). Mint N.H., choice margins and attractive centering, strong bright color, Very Fine, with 1998 P.F. certificate
4c Dark Brown (222). Mint N.H. with selvage with letter "M" at bottom, bright shade, choice centering with huge margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1983 and 1999 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,200.00)
6c Brown Red (224). Mint N.H., intense color on bright paper, detailed impression, Jumbo margins all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1890 6-CENT SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1990 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,900.00 as 95, $9,800.00 as 98). Only one other 95J has been certified by P.S.E., which was sold in our auction of the Odeneal collection (Sale 941, lot 1141, realized $7,000 hammer)
8c Lilac (225). Mint N.H., deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on post-office fresh color, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT 1890 SMALL BANK NOTE ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,300.00). Only three have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.
15c Indigo (227). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, deep rich color on bright paper, choice centering with enormous margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 1988 and 2007 P.F. certificates
30c Black (228). Mint N.H. with bottom right corner selvage, intense shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.S.E. certificate for block of four
30c Black (228). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractive well-balanced margins, lovely contrast of intense shade against a background of bright white paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $620.00)
30c Black (228). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins and attractively centered, exceptionally intense color, Very Fine, with 2002 P.F. certificate
90c Orange (229). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins, fresh, beautiful bright color, Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
90c Orange (229). Original gum, faintly hinged, almost flawless centering, bright color, reperfed at top, Extremely Fine appearance, with 1984 P.F. certificate which does not mention the reperfing
90c Orange (229). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, fresh, vivid color, Fine-Very Fine, bottom right stamp quite handsome, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
90c Orange, Imperforate (229a). Mint N.H. horizontal pair, large to huge margins, magnificent vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as hinged