Sale 1084 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Stamps and Covers
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 5-6 November, 2014
Category — 1895 Watermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 264-278)
1c Blue (264). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 295 block of six with wide selvage, rich color on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice
2c Carmine, Ty. I (265). Bright color, tied by "New York N.Y. May 2 5-PM 1895" machine cancel on First Day cover to local address, Lawyer's Mortgage Insurance Co. return address, stamp lifted to verify watermarkVERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DAY OF USE OF THE NEW WATERMARKED ISSUE.
A postal document specified that the new watermarked stamps would be released to the public on May 2, 1895. This is the only recorded use of Scott 265 on this day.
Ex Berkun. With 1979 P.F. and 2005 A.P.S. certificates
2c Carmine, Ty. II-III (266-267). Block of twelve consisting of Type III in right vertical row and others Type II, few stamps Mint N.H., brilliant color, right center stamp small crease, Fine appearance, scarce and attractive multiple, Scott Retail as plate block of Type II and horizontal pairs of Types II and III
2c Carmine, Ty. II, III (266, 267). Block of 60 from the top left corner of the plate, natural s.e. at right, first three vertical rows Ty. II, rest are Ty. III, with imprint and plate no. 170 at top and left, original gum, few usual flaws often associated with large multiples including few perf separations, still Fine-Very Fine, an unusual and desirable multiple combining Types II and III, only Plate 170 yields a combination of the two types, this block is especially desirable because it contains plate blocks of both types, ex Whitpain, Scott Retail more than $1,700.00
2c Carmine, Se-Tenant Pair of Types II and III (266-267). Left imprint and plate no. block of six of Type II and se-tenant horizontal pair, tied by Toledo O. ovals on piece of package, also tied by red "Received/May 4, 1897/Teutonia Insurance Co." three-line receiving datestamp, few wrinkles affect two stamps in plate block only, the se-tenant pair is Very Fine, two on-cover se-tenant pairs are recorded, this on-piece use is the third, a key item of First Bureau Issue postal history
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, Jumbo margins, faintly cancelled, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $250.00 as 95, $960.00 as 98), this is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it
2c Carmine, Ty. II (266). Top imprint and plate no. 133 block of six, five stamps Mint N.H., top center stamp lightly hinged, brilliant color, Very Fine and choice, Scott Retail as singles
4c Dark Brown (269). Bottom imprint and plate no. 457 block of six, bottom stamps Mint N.H., top stamps lightly hinged, pretty shade, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, an attractive plate block
4c Dark Brown (269). Gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, deep shade on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $225.00 as 95, $1,000.00 as 98), only two have graded higher (at 98) and one other shares this grade
4c Dark Brown, Diagonal Bisect (269 var). Tied by light strike of circular datestamp, second strike of "Wadhams Mills N.Y. Mar. 29, 1898" circular datestamp on cover to West New Brighton N.Y., ms. "Out of 2 & 1c G.H.P." notation next to bisect, receiving backstamp, with original enclosure stating "The P.M. here is out of 1's and 2's and is forced to split 4c stamps. I mail you one and if you desire more I will save some for you. It will be a most interesting and genuine provisional", opened a bit roughly at left, stamp with tiny toned spot, Very Fine, unusual and rare usage, accompanied by typed transcript of notes regarding these bisects
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 390 block of six with wide selvage, radiant color, Very Fine and choice, a beautiful Mint N.H. plate block, with 2004 P.F. certificate
5c Chocolate (270). Top imprint and plate no. 193 block of six with wide selvage, barely hinged at top center, others Mint N.H., pretty shade, choice centering, bottom center stamp natural perf disc inclusion, Very Fine
6c Dull Brown (271). Top imprint and plate no. 28 block of six, original gum, center stamps h.r., bright shade and crisp impression, light natural paper wrinkle, bottom center stamp thin spot, Very Fine appearance, this plate block is extremely scarce especially with such nice centering, ex Whitpain, Scott Catalogue assigns a 400% premium for the hinged plate block
6c Dull Brown (271). Top imprint and plate no. 184 block of six with wide selvage, original gum, h.r. at bottom center, pretty shade, fresh and Fine-Very Fine
6c Dull Brown (271). Top imprint and plate no. 386 block of six, original gum, few h.r., few light bends, Fine-Very Fine
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Clear "I" watermark, natural straddle-pane margin at left, better centering than usually seen on this difficult issue, rich color, oval grid cancel, completely soundVERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1895 "USIR" WATERMARK ERROR. ONLY 27 ARE KNOWN TO US.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Our updated census of this issue, published at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/271a/271a.pdf , records only 24 used copies certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, plus three uncertified copies. Fourteen of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The other thirteen are split exactly equally between the "I" and "R" of the watermark. Many examples have perfs either close or touching the design.
Census No. 271a-CAN-07. With 1986 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Horizontal strip of three, "I" of watermark straddles the right pair, stamps rejoined along perfs, center stamp with small thinFINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USED MULTIPLE CONTAINING THE 6-CENT 1895 "USIR" WATERMARK ERROR. LESS THAN 25 IN TOTAL HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION.
Census No. 271a-CAN-14. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as two singles
8c Violet Brown (272). Bottom imprint and plate no. 249 block of six, original gum, h.r., bright color, few perf separations, otherwise Very Fine
8c Violet Brown (272). Perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, bold duplex cancel, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $475.00), only three have graded higher
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Horizontal pair with full imprint at top, unused (no gum), "I" of watermark in selvage and "R" of watermark split between stamps, few perf separations sensibly reinforced, some light staining at topFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE "IR" POSITION PAIR OF THE 8-CENT 1895 ISSUE WITH "U S I R" WATERMARK.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. There are approximately 75 known of the 8c with approximately ten unused, but many are either off-center or have flaws.
With 1975 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as two singles
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Top imprint and plate no. 58 strip of three with wide selvage, original gum, stamps lightly hinged, small h.r. in ungummed selvage, bold complete "R" watermark in center stamp and in right selvage, complete "I" watermark in right stamp, rich color, light horizontal crease in selvage through plate number, few perf separations in selvage at topVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIPS OF THE 8-CENT 1895 BUREAU ISSUE WITH THE "USIR" WATERMARK ERROR. A GREAT RARITY OF THE ISSUE.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Our records contain only four imprint and plate number strips of the 8c (a plate block of six is part of the Miller collection at The New York Public Library).
Ex Cunliffe. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Bottom imprint and plate no. 58 strip of three, clear "I" and "R" of watermark, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color, tiny natural paper wrinkle in selvage at bottom leftVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTREMELY RARE IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF THE 8-CENT "USIR" WATERMARK VARIETY. WE RECORD ONLY FOUR SUCH IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIPS.
The "USIR" (United States Internal Revenue) watermark error occurred when a supply of paper reserved for revenue stamp production was used for printing the 6c and 8c postage stamps. Our records contain only four imprint and plate number strips of the 8c (a plate block of six is part of the Miller collection at The New York Public Library).
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Horizontal pair, left stamps shows "I" and right stamp shows "R" of watermark, unobtrusive cancels, right stamp small closed tear at left, Very Fine appearance and a scarce multiple with both stamps showing the watermark variety, approximately 75 are known, with 2000 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as singles
10c Dark Green (273). Top imprint and plate no. 305 block of six, original gum, few small hinge slivers where few perf separations sensibly reinforced, rich color, Fine
10c Dark Green (273). Bottom imprint and plate no. block of six, original gum, lightly hinged, crisp impression, Very Fine and choice, ex Silver Lake, with 1990 P.F. certificate
10c Dark Green (273). Unusually wide margins and flawless centering, lovely rich color and proof-like impression, neat strike of Minnesota oval town cancel, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, very difficult to find in this superior quality, ex Natalee Grace, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $750.00), only four other used examples share this grade and none have graded higher
15c Dark Blue (274). Bottom imprint and plate no. 264 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged with several Mint N.H., deep rich color, unusually choice centering throughout, faint natural gum wrinkle affects two stampsVERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL PLATE BLOCK OF THE 1895 15-CENT WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
This is a difficult plate block to obtain with such choice centering.
15c Dark Blue (274). Beautifully centered, deep shade on bright paper, light strike of face-free cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Natalee Grace, with 2002 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $450.00)
15c Dark Blue (274). Horizontal pair, used with 50c Orange (260). and 8c Violet Brown (257), tied by targets, "Yellow Jacket Idaho May 6, 1896" circular datestamp on registry tag to New York, stamps partly lifted to confirm watermarks, 50c small crease at top, 8c creased, Very Fine appearance, this is a very early use of the 15c with watermark -- the earliest documented use is the day before -- ex Berkun, with 2001 P.F. certificate
50c Orange (275). Original gum, lightly hinged, gorgeous fiery color, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate
50c Orange (275). Wide top imprint and plate no. 75 block of six, pos. 1 and bottom row Mint N.H., pos. 2-3 lightly hinged, bright color, attractive margins and centering, some perf separations between pos. 3 and selvageFINE. A BEAUTIFUL WIDE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 50-CENT 1895 BUREAU ISSUE.
Top position imprint and plate number blocks of the high-value 1895 Bureau Issue are exceedingly scarce.
50c Orange (275). Block of 25, neat strikes of "Los Angeles" oval cancel, vibrant color, sensibly reinforced perfs, few flaws including second and bottom rows with light horizontal crease, Fine-Very Fine appearance, a rare large used multiple, ex Whitpain, Scott Retail as four blocks of four and singles
50c Orange (275). Top imprint and plate no. 75 block of six, neat strikes of Saginaw Mich oval cancels, Fine-Very Fine, a scarce used plate block, listed but unpriced in Scott which assigns almost a 5x premium for an unused plate block
50c Orange (275). Radiant color, tied by light strike of "Pago-Pago, Samoa, May 8, 1901" circular datestamp on registered cover to New York, additional registry marking at left, San Francisco backstamp, fresh and Very Fine, scarce and desirable use, Scott Retail with no premium for the unusual origination
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Intense shade and impression beautifully complemented by bright paper, virtually face-free oval registry cancel, wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp in every respect, ex Natalee Grace, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $950.00), only two have graded higher (at 98) and only one other shares this grade
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Block of four, sharp proof-like impression, light cancels, thin spots, light crease at bottom right, Fine-Very Fine appearing used block, ex Twigg-Smith
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, bold cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $500.00), the highest grade awarded is a 95
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (276A). Block of four, bold registry oval cancels, intense shade and impression, few perf separations, bottom right stamp diagonal crease, Very Fine appearance, a scarce used block, Scott Catalogue for singles is $840.00, Scott Retail as block of four
$2.00 Dark Blue (277a). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and detailed impression on bright paper, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF 80; SMQ $950.00)
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Perfectly centered with wide margins, magnificent color on bright paper which is nicely contrasted by double oval registry and red cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $2.00 WATERMARKED ISSUE.
The $2.00 Watermarked issue (Scott 277) was issued in significantly greater quantities than its unwatermarked counterpart (10,027 of Scott 262 versus 31,720 of Scott 277). However, the watermarked $2.00 is almost as difficult to find in superbly centered used condition with an attractive cancel. The P.S.E. Population Report lists seven examples graded XF-90 or above of No. 262 and only eight of No. 277.
Ex Natalee Grace, With 1999 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,650.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and only four others share this grade.
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Bright shade, wide margins, neat strike of oval registry cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, rich color on crisp paper, fresh and Very Fine, with 1995 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Wide margins for this difficult issue with precise centering, rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, long and full perforations all around, light strike of oval registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The $5.00 stamps were generally used on heavy parcels, high-value registered covers or philatelic covers. Heavy parcels and registered package wrappers were usually discarded, and the high-denomination stamps were typically heavily cancelled. Only one cover is known bearing this issue -- a philatelic registered use to Bohemia with a single stamp cancelled by a circular datestamp. The stamp offered here, cancelled by an oval registry, with perfect centering and in pristine condition, is truly remarkable.
Ex Natalee Grace. With 2000 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $11,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by only two others
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, beautiful centering with well-balanced margins, light strike of oval registry cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $5.00 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION.
The $5.00 was usually heavily cancelled or used on heavy parcels which were not treated kindly. The example offered here, with gorgeous centering, rich color, bright paper and an attractive cancel, is a true rarity.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,900.00). Only four have graded higher.
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Choice centering with wide margins, pretty shade, face-free cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,250.00)
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Face-free cancel, well-balanced margins, small thin spots at bottom, Very Fine appearance
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Block of four, choice centering, neat strikes of New York oval registry cancels, few flaws including sensibly reinforced perf separations and creases, still Very Fine, ex Whitpain, a scarce used block of the $5.00 watermarked Bureau issue, the last block we offered was in our 2001 Twigg-Smith sale
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Block of eight, block of four and pair, first two natural s.e. at left, used with $1.00 Black, Ty. I (276), 3c Purple (268), 10c Orange Brown, Ty. I (282C) and pair of 15c Olive Green (284), tied by "New York Reg" oval cancels on piece, 3c perfs trimmed, couple light horizontal creases, one $5.00 small tear at bottomVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE USED MULTIPLE AS PART OF $71.43 IN POSTAGE. THIS MAY BE THE LARGEST USED MULTIPLE OF THE $5.00 1895 WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IN EXISTENCE.
Using an inflation calculator, the $71.43 in postage in 1898 is the equivalent of $1,758.15 in today's money. We can only speculate as to what such a valuable package may have contained. Linn's U.S. Stamp Facts notes that the largest used multiple is a block of four, so the editors must have been unaware of this multiple.
Ex Whitpain. Scott Retail as three blocks of four and two singles