Sale 1096 — The Robert R. Hall Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 28-30 April, 2015
Category — Proofs and 1c-30c 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-239)
1c-$5.00 Columbian, Small Die Proofs on Wove (230P2-245P2). Complete set removed from gray card backing, a couple values slightly faded ($3.00 a bit more so), a few thins from card removal, Very Fine appearance, it is believed only 85 sets were produced for the Roosevelt presentation albums
$1.00-$5.00 Columbian Issue, Plate Proofs on Card (241P4-245P4). Matched set of top imprint, plate no. and letter at left blocks of eight, large margins, each with small thin spot mostly in margin at top right from mount removal, $2.00 small scuff at top right in sheet margin, colors of $1.00, $3.00 and $4.00 slightly fadedVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE MATCHED SET OF TOP IMPRINT, PLATE NUMBER AND LEFT LETTER BLOCKS OF EIGHT FOR THE DOLLAR-VALUE COLUMBIANS.
Apart from the complete set of matched bottom plate blocks of eight offered in our 2008 auction of the Barry Schwartz Collection, this is the only other set of dollar values we sold in years.
From our 1989 Rarities sale.
1c-10c Columbian (230-237). Mint N.H. except for 4c and 5c which have original gum, extra 8c, 3c with bottom part imprint selvage, rich colors, mostly Fine with a couple Very Fine, 6c and 10c with P.F. certificates
1c-50c Columbian (230-240). Blocks of four, 1c, 6c and 8c Mint N.H., one 5c Mint N.H., 50c disturbed original gum, few h.r., deep rich colors, couple trivial flaws mostly confined to minor perf separations, Fine-Very Fine, an attractive assemblage of blocks of four of the Columbians through the 50c
1c-2c Columbian (230-231). Imprint and plate no. blocks of eight, original gum, h.r., 2c some toned spots on back, also additional 2c plate block of six with Broken Hat variety in similar condition, Fine-Very Fine
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 76 and letter "R" block of eight, crisp impression, slight wrinkle in bottom right stamp, fresh and Very Fine
4c Columbian (233). Bottom imprint, plate no. 16 and letter "D" block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, bright color, few creases in selvage, few perf separations expertly reinforced, otherwise Fine-Very Fine
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Mint N.H. with part of left sheet selvage, deep rich color in the darker of the two recognized shades, bright paper, unusually wide margins, natural inclusion speck in top marginVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE 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 1970 and 1999 P.F. certificates.
4c Columbian, Error of Color (233a). Block of four, original gum with hinge marks, piece of hinge reinforcing some perf separations at right, deep rich color and proof-like impression, top right stamp has a small tear extending from a stain spot, other three stamps have small shallow thin spots where hinges were removedFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM 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.
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 6 and letter "B" block of eight, deep rich color and proof-like impression, top stamps light natural gum bend, Fine-Very Fine, a scarce Mint N.H. plate block
6c Columbian (235). Bottom imprint, plate no. 104 and letter "Z" block of eight, original gum, center four stamps Mint N.H., others lightly hinged, detailed impression, fresh and Fine
8c Columbian (236). Bottom imprint and plate no. 129 block of six, original gum, rich color, bottom right stamp small thin spot, Very Fine appearance
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 103 and letter "Y" block of eight, natural crackly gum, crisp grayish shade, choice centering, small scuff in bottom left stampVERY FINE AND CHOICE CENTERING. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 10-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
This is a difficult plate block to obtain in such choice condition
10c Columbian (237). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, Jumbo margins and gorgeous centering, neat target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a phenomenal stamp, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., balanced margins, rich color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H. bottom right corner imprint, plate no. 58 and letter "M" block of ten, deep rich color and proof-like impressionFRESH AND FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN.
Apart from a pane of 50 containing 34 Mint N.H. stamps, this is the largest Mint N.H. multiple we have offered since keeping computerized records. We offered one other, from the left corner selvage position, in our 2013 World's Fair collection.
Scott Retail as plate block of eight and two singles
30c Columbian (239). Bottom right corner imprint, plate no. 59 and letter "N" block of ten, most stamps Mint N.H. except where expertly rejoined between third and fourth column, rich color, few minor perf separations sensibly reinforced in ungummed selvage, left selvage few light toned spotsFINE APPEARING PLATE BLOCK OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
Scott Retail as plate block of six and a block of four.
30c Columbian (239). Original gum, lightly hinged, outstanding centering with balanced margins, Extremely Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate