Sale 1150 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday, 1 March, 2017
Category — 1895 Watermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 264-278)
1c-10c 1895-98 Bureau Issues, Imperforate (264a, 268a-273a). Horizontal pairs, including two 6c (one vertical), 5c with left sheet margin, original gum, few h.r., Very Fine group
3c Purple (268). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 103 selvage, vivid color, outstanding centering and margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb position single of the 3c 1895 watermarked Bureau Issue, with 2016 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00 as normal), only two Mint N.H. examples have been graded higher (both at 98, without plate no. selvage)
5c Chocolate (270). Mint N.H. with wide top plate no. 250 selvage, lovely warm color, Jumbo margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo; SMQ $500.00)
6c Dull Brown, USIR Watermark (271a). Showing clear "R" of watermark, unusually choice centering for this difficult variety, radiant color, neat cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 6-CENT WITH THE "R" OF "USIR" WATERMARK. ONLY 27 USED EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN TO US, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
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. Unlike its more common 8c counterpart, the 6c is an extremely rare stamp. Our census of this issue, available 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. Fifteen of those certified do not specify which letter is present. The other twelve 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-08. Ex Hoffner, Rubin and "Natalee Grace". With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $30,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade.
8c Violet Brown, USIR Watermark (272a). Rich color, clear and bold "R" of watermark with letter nearly complete, indistinct cancel, Very Fine, desirable with such a clear "R", with 1994 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum with bottom selvage, bright shade and proof-like impression on crisp paper, outstanding centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1895 $1.00 TYPE I WATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded for any unused Scott 276 and is shared by only four others (one Mint N.H.)
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Original gum, lightly hinged, precise centering, dark shade, Extremely Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. I (276). Sharp proof-like impression on bright white paper, extra wide margins, light strike of oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, ex Bowman, with 2000 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Horizontal pair, detailed impression, unobtrusive cancels, perf separations at top, Fine-Very Fine, scarce used multiple, ex "Whitpain", Scott Retail as two singles
$2.00 Bright Blue (277). Original gum, rich color on bright paper, reperfed at right, Very Fine appearance
$2.00 Dark Blue, Imperforate (277b). Horizontal pair, original gum, large margins all around, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich color and crisp impression on brilliant paper, Very Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
$5.00 Dark Green (278). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely color, expertly reperfed at bottom, Very Fine appearance
$5.00 Dark Green, Imperforate (278a). Horizontal pair, original gum, lightly hinged, large margins including left sheet margin, rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine