Sale 1199 — Gem-Quality United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 1-2 May, 2019
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 590 selvage, wide margins and precisely centered, marvelous color and impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BREATHTAKING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,850.00). Only two have graded higher (one at 98J, one at 100J)
1c, 2c Trans-Mississippi (285-286). Both with choice centering and margins, 1c light duplex cancel, 2c light machine cancel, Extremely Fine, 1c with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95), 2c with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90), total SMQ $475.00
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 599 selvage, vivid color, choice centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2005 P.F. certificate
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Wide margins and choice centering, rich color on bright paper, light machine cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $375.00), only six used stamps grade higher
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 609 selvage, rich color and detailed impression on bright paper, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENAL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
The two most challenging Trans-Mississippi denominations to obtain in Extremely Fine grade are the 8c and the $2.00. The spacing between horizontal rows on the sheet is narrower than the spacing between vertical columns, making it difficult to obtain stamps with balanced margins.
With 2001 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,000.00)
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Precise centering, deep rich color on crisp paper, lightly cancelled leaving the vignette fully visible, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2001 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $625.00)
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Beautiful centering with wide margins, neat target cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $575.00), only four have graded higher
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Wide margins and well-centered, deep rich color, lightly cancelled, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $500.00)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, sharp proof-like impression which shows every nuance of this remarkable engraving, mathematically perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE ONLY UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, AND, IN FACT, IT IS CURRENTLY ONE OF ONLY TWO UNUSED DOLLAR-VALUE COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS WITH A P.S.E. GEM 100 GRADE FOR ANY ISSUE.
The focus on stamps with a Gem 100 grade is growing more intense as collectors strive for the highest possible ranking in the P.S.E. Set Registry. Remarkably, only two dollar-denominated, original-gum (or unused) early commemorative stamps have achieved a Gem 100 grade (the other is a $2.00 Columbian).
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; SMQ $13,250.00). This is the only unused $1.00 Trans-Mississippi to grade Gem 100. The highest Mint N.H. grade is 98.
View PDF of Highlights of this lot
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H. with wide bottom plate no. 606 selvage, crisp impression on bright paperVERY FINE AND CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
With 2001 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Deep shade on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of target cancel at bottom right, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful used example of this issue, with 2007 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,500.00)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Well-balanced margins, crisp shade and impression, light registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $850.00)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H. with bottom plate no. 613 selvage, rich color and detailed impression, well-proportioned marginsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
With 1990 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Choice centering and margins, detailed impression on fresh paper, corner strike of circular datestamp cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleFRESH AND EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE WITH A VIGNETTE-FREE CANCEL.
With 2003 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,500.00). Only six grade higher (all at 95) -- in our opinion, this stamp deserves a grade of XF-Superb 95