Sale 953 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 25-28 March, 2008
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., intense color and proof-like impression on bright paper, perfectly centered with enormous margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $660.00 as 95, $2,900.00 as 98)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., beautiful wide margins and almost precisely centered, lovely color and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $660.00)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H. with part bottom imprint selvage, choice Jumbo margins and impeccable centering, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $205.00 as 90, $660.00 as 95)
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H., essentially perfectly balanced wide margins, fresh and bright, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2002 P.F. certificate
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, beautifully centered with extra wide margins that show off the brightness of the paper to great effectEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE. A STAMP WITH STUNNING VISUAL APPEAL, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,300.00). Only three have graded higher to date (all 98J) and only 13 others share this grade. We have only offered one other in this grade, in the Scarsdale collection.
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., unusually deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,500.00 as 95, $6,300.00 as 98)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,500.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. certificate for pair
3c Columbian (232). Block of four, original gum, top pair tiny h.r., bottom pair Mint N.H., Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as two hinged and two Mint N.H.
3c Columbian (232). Bottom imprint and plate no. 75 block of six, original gum, five stamps Mint N.H., top center stamp single hinge mark, radiant color and detailed impression, few minor perf separations, natural gum bend at top, light vertical crease at far left, appears Fine, Scott Retail as singles
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., brilliant color on bright paper, gorgeous centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,200.00)
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., radiant color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1996 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $8,750.00). Only two have graded higher to date.
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H. top imprint, plate no. 6 and letter "B" block of eight, bright shade and crisp impression, choice centering throughout, top right stamp trivial natural inclusionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND REMARKABLY CHOICE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2000 P.S.E. certificate
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., magnificent wide margins, wonderful deep rich color, Extremely Fine, with 1999 and 2003 P.F. certificates
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., attractive margins and centering, rich color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $415.00)
5c Columbian (234). Original gum, h.r., intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins,Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $330.00)
5c Columbian (234). Natural crackly original gum, faintly hinged in one corner, enormous Jumbo margins and virtually perfectly centered, magnificent strong color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1992 P.F. certificate
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., fabulous deep intense color, attractive margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2005 P.F. certificate
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. vertical pair with top left corner sheet selvage, exceptionally well-centered with incredibly wide side margins, natural gum creases, Extremely Fine appearance
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. bottom margin imprint, plate no. 104 and letter "Z" strip of four, well-centered, choice wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine
6c Columbian (235). Choice centering with massive margins at sides, deep rich color, bold target cancel, Extremely Fine
8c Columbian (236). Original gum, unusually wide margins and almost perfectly centered, beautiful deep color, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $100.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., lovely margins and near-perfect centering, clear impression, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,150.00))
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins, beautiful centering, clear impression, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $640.00 as 85, $1,150.00 as 90)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., essentially perfectly centered, fresh with intense color, Extremely Fine, with 1988 and P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $640.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., nice margins and attractively centered, Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., wonderful color and impression on bright paper, Very Fine, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., attractively centered, outstanding deep intense color with clear impression, Very Fine, with 1985 and 1998 P.F. certificates
15c Columbian (238). Original gum, lightly hinged, fabulous depth of color and remarkably wide margins, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $440.00)
15c Columbian (238). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautifully centered, gorgeous color and impression, Extremely Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, deep rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, wide margins, few natural gum skips, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice margins and attractive centering, Very Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., brilliant color, well-balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1998 P.S.E., 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,400.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., lovely large margins and almost perfectly centered, vivid color on crisp paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 and 2003 P.F. certificates
30c Columbian (239). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide margins, wonderful color and impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. certificate showing the stamp with plate no. selvage at bottom that has subsequently been removed
50c Columbian (240). Mint N.H. with part imprint at right, intense shade and proof-like impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $5,300.00)
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, lightly hinged, uncommonly wide margins and almost perfect centering, gorgeous intense color, Extremely Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. certificate
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, lightly hinged, magnificent intense color, Very Fine, with 1987 A.P.S. certificate
50c Columbian (240). Unused (no gum), rich color on bright paper, Very Fine, with 1984 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as original gum
$1.00 Columbian (241). Bottom imprint, "W" and plate no. 93 block of eight, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and crisp impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM PLATE BLOCK OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN. A PLATE BLOCK OF REMARKABLE FRESHNESS.
Ex Lake Shore. With 1998 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, close to perfect centering, magnificent blazing color and fine impression, Extremely Fine, with photocopy of 1983 P.F. certificate for block of four (top left stamp)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, vibrant color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,550.00)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, almost perfect centering with beautiful fiery color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,550.00)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, well-centered, attractive fiery color, Very Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful strong color, Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, unusually wide margins, remarkably dark color, tiny natural inclusion, still Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich fiery color, Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Columbian (241). Nearly perfect centering, vivid color and clear impression, neat circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE COLUMBIAN DOLLAR VALUES ARE ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE IN THIS HIGH GRADE WHEN FOUND WITH A NEAT CIRCULAR DATESTAMP INSTEAD OF THE USUAL HEAVY DOUBLE OVAL CANCEL.
With 1991 P.F. and 1991 and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,350.00)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, incredibly well-centered with choice margins, magnificent rich color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, uncommonly wide margins and near-perfect centering, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,600.00)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum., lightly hinged, marvelous deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 and 2003 P.F. certificates
$2.00 Columbian (242). Jumbo margins and attractively centered, deep color, neat double oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo; SMQ $980.00 as 85, $1,400.00 as 95)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Choice margins and attractive centering, marvelous color and clear impression, hardly noticeable circular datestamp bottom right corner leaving the entire design virtually distraction free, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. and 1992 P.S.E. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY CENTERED ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, handsomely centered, rich color on fresh white paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1992 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, bright shade on crisp paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, lightly hinged, wonderful deep rich color, Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, minor h.r., choice margins and essentially perfect centering, bright color, tiny repair at top right, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, h.r., bright color, small thin spot at top, reperfed at bottom, Very Fine appearance
$3.00 Columbian (243). Essentially perfectly centered, wonderful deep rich color, light purple cancelEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE WITH COLORED CANCELLATION.
The $3.00 is one of the most difficult denominations to obtain in such choice used condition.
With 1985 P.F. and 1994 and 2002 P.S.E. certificates, each with different color nomenclature for the cancel (XF 90; SMQ $2,100.00)
$3.00 Columbian (243). Exceptionally wide margins and almost perfectly centered, partial numeral oval grid cancel, tiny corner perf crease at bottom left, otherwise an Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $2,100.00)
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Original gum, essentially perfect centering, vibrant colorEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE ROSE CARMINE SHADE.
With 1985 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, h.r., brilliant color on bright paper, Very Fine and choice
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Original gum, incredibly wide margins of near Jumbo proportions, bright pastel color, tiny thin spot, Very Fine appearance, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Exceptionally well-centered, rich color, neat oval registry cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; $1,850.00)
$4.00 Rose Carmine, Columbian (244a). Small socked-on-the-nose "Washington D.C. Oct. 25 3-PM 1894" machine datestamp, bright color, centered to right, small thin spot at left, small surface rub in cancel, otherwise Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$4.00 Columbian (244). Wide margins, fresh color, faint circular datestamp which may possibly have been lightened, Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. and 1992 P.S.E. certificates
$5.00 Columbian (245). Mint N.H. bottom imprint, plate no. 108 and letter "D D" strip of four, post-office fresh, extremely well-centered, deep shade and proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE STRIP OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN. IN OUR OPINION, IT IS THE FINEST-QUALITY PLATE NUMBER MULTIPLE.
The $5.00 plate number block of eight is believed to be unique; therefore, a strip of four is the only practical means to show the complete imprint and plate number with plate letters.
The Scott Catalogue value for a Mint N.H. imprint and plate number strip is $45,000 versus $40,000 for a hinged strip, while a Mint N.H. single is valued at more than three times the value of a hinged single. In our opinion, the Scott value for a Mint N.H. plate strip does not begin to reflect the rarity of this item. Our opinion is further supported by the recent realization for the previously hinged imprint strip in our sale of the Barry K. Schwartz collection. The strip realized $55,000 versus $$22,500 Scott value.
Ex Argentum. With 1999 P.F. certificate.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, intense shade and proof-like impression, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $4,800.00)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, handsome balanced margins, intense color with sharp impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A WONDERFULLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN.
With 1994 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Slightly disturbed original gum, detailed impression, Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine, With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ with disturbed gum)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, Very Fine, With 2007 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Redistributed original gum, attractively centered, intense color on fresh paper, Very Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, lightly hinged, excellent intense color, Fine and attractive, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, h.r., bright shade, unpunched perf at right, Fine
$5.00 Columbian (245). Exceptionally wide margins and near-perfect centering, fabulous intense color on bright white paper with clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE USED $5.00 COLUMBIAN STAMPS WE HAVE SEEN.
With 1992 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $3,100.00). Only six have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.
$5.00 Columbian (245). Intense shade and impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering with well-balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of target cancel at top rightEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,100.00). Only six have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade.