Sale 1057 — The Curtis Collection: 1847-1901 Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 7 November, 2013
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H., enormous Jumbo margins and choice centering, pretty pastel color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1993 P.S.E. and 2010 P.S.A.G. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo)
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H., vibrant color, Jumbo margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00 as 90, $2,100.00 as 95)
1c Blue (247). Mint N.H., wide margins and well-centered, fresh color, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $550.00 as 90, $2,100.00 as 95)
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Original gum, lightly hinged, massive margins all around, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp, with 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H., small faint pencil offset on gum not mentioned on either certificate, brilliant color on crisp paper, Jumbo margins and outstanding centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $900.00 as 95, $3,000.00 as 98), only three have graded higher
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., vivid color on crisp paper, choice centering, couple tiny natural gum skips, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1997 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., vibrant color, beautiful centering with wide and balanced margins, tiny natural inclusion not mentioned on accompanying certificateEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 2-CENT TYPE III UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,900.00). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and two others share this grade.
4c Dark Brown (254). Mint N.H., beautiful rich color and detailed impression, choice centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 4-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1985 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $4,000.00 as 95, $11,000.00 as 98). Only two have graded higher and only three others share this grade
5c Chocolate (255). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2003 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $360.00)
6c Dull Brown (256). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins, rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, ex Puliafito, with 1998 P.F. (for block of four) and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $1,200.00 as 90, $3,200.00 as 95)
15c Dark Blue (259). Mint N.H., intense color, well-centered, Very Fine and choice, with photocopy of 1996 P.F. certificate for block of four
50c Orange (260). Mint N.H., bright color, long and full perforations, fresh and Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
50c Orange (260). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, vibrant color and detailed impression, natural gum wrinkle, Very Fine and choice, 2004 P.F. certificate for block of four no longer accompanies
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, single hinge mark at top, perfectly centered with massive margins all around, bright shade and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE. A STAMP OF TRULY MASSIVE PROPORTIONS.
With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $3,200.00 as 95, $6,200.00 as 98). Only two have graded higher.
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 1999 P.F. certificate.
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, rich color on bright paper, almost perfectly centered with extra wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, h.r., rich color on bright paper, thin spot at left, Very Fine appearance
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, h.r., rich color, reperfed at left, natural gum creases and small thin spot, Very Fine appearance
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, deep rich color and sharp proof-like impression on bright white paper, choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE. THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS SELDOM SEEN WITH SUCH WIDE MARGINS AND CHOICE CENTERING.
With 1977 and 1998 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, dark color on fresh paper with long and full perforationsVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2002 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, h.r., rich color, wide margins at top and bottom, small thin spot at left, Fine appearance