Sale 967 — Important and Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 16-19 December, 2008
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., fabulous margins and centering, wonderful rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT ONE-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STAMP, WHICH HAS ACHIEVED THE COVETED P.S.E GRADE OF SUPERB 98.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $3,450.00). according to the P.S.E. Population Report this is just one of only nine Mint N.H. 1c Trans-Mississippi's to have been awarded this grade with none higher
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H., precise centering, incredibly fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine Gem, a lovely pristine example that is sure to please even the most fastidious collector, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H. with plate no. 612 selvage at bottom, lovely margins and almost perfect centering, rich color with wonderful impression on crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
2c Trans-Mississippi (286). Mint N.H. with plate no. 644 with wide selvage at top, well-proportioned margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $285.00)
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., well-centered, bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., vivid color, Very Fine and choice, with 1989 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Original gum, barely hinged, well-centered, Extremely Fine, with 1990 and 2005 P.F. certificates
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Top imprint and plate no. 636 block of six, original gum, some slight gum disturbance, small separation and slight oxidation, bottom right stamp stain in bottom right corner, otherwise Very Good-Fine
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H. with plate no. 618 and wide selvage at top, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, mathematically perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED TO DATE. THIS IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY TWO MINT NEVER-HINGED TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STAMPS IN ANY DENOMINATION TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The 1893 Columbian Issue contains 16 different denominations, and at the time of their issue for the Columbian Exposition there was a backlash among collectors, who had to pay $16.33 to purchase a complete set (the equivalent of $372.36 in 2007 dollars). For the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition, held in Omaha Nebraska, the issue was restricted to nine denominations, with no denominations issued above $2.00. The $3.80 cost for the set, while still expensive ($93.53 in 2007 dollars), was at least more manageable.
The Trans-Mississippi plates were laid out with narrower space between the horizontal rows than the space between the vertical columns. The mathematically balanced margins necessary to achieve a Gem 100 grade require extra space between the horizontal rows of perforations. Anyone who has examined Trans-Mississippi sheets and multiples can testify to the rarity of stamps with perfectly balanced margins all around.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100; unpriced above the grade of 98; SMQ $15,600.00 as 98). This is the only example to achieve this grade, which is the highest awarded to date. The only other denomination represented by a Mint N.H. Gem 100 stamp is the 8c (one awarded). One previously hinged $1.00 is graded 100, and it realized $45,000 hammer in our September 2008 auction.
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H. with imprint and wide selvage at bottom, deep rich color and proof-like impression, unusually choice centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,450.00). Only four have graded higher to date.
5c Trans-Mississippi (288). Mint N.H., attractive margins and centering, sharp color and impression, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,250.00)
8c Trans-Mississippi (289). Mint N.H. with wide selvage at top, deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE AND ONLY TWO OTHERS SHARE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
Collectors in pursuit of superb 19th Century commemorative stamps are well aware of the challenge in locating the 8c Trans-Mississippi with wide margins and choice centering. An examination of 8c multiples will reveal the fact that the space between horizontal rows was narrower than the space between vertical columns. Wide top and bottom margins that match the sides could only occur when the horizontal perforations were misapplied to a row, thereby impinging on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $33,000.00). The most recent realization for a Superb 98 was $47,500 hammer (this Fall season)
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,150.00). Only five have graded higher to date.
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H. with imprint and wide selvage at top, brilliant color, well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,750.00)
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H., radiant color, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 1998 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $1,750.00)
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 604 pair, deep rich color and proof-like impression, tiny flaws at extreme bottom edge of selvage (easily trimmed), Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, lightly hinged, lovely margins and remarkably well-centered, rich color with fine impression, Extremely Fine
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color and crisp impression, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 1952 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates.
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Detailed impression on bright paper, unobtrusive cancel, wide margins, Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $520.00)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., intense shade on bright paper, as fresh as the day it was printed, incredibly detailed impression which highlights every minute detail of this wonderful engravingEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP EVER ISSUED. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO A MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. Although blocks have been broken over the years to supply Mint N.H. singles, it seems that grading is always a compromise between perfect centering and margin width. Only in a few instances do we find the combination of Mint N.H. condition, Extremely Fine Gem centering and wide balanced margins. This stamp is one of those extremely rare examples combining everything that could be desired. It is one of only six examples that have achieved the grade of XF-Superb 95 in the P.S.E. Population Report (the highest grade ever certified), and in our opinion it is certainly one of the better ones, bordering on a 98.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $38,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date to a Mint N.H. stamp, and only five others have achieved this grade.
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., trivial natural gum wrinkle, Fine, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate for horizontal pair (right stamp)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H., nicely centered, wide at sides, natural s.e. at left, Very Fine, with photocopy of 2007 P.S.E. certificate for horizontal pair (left stamp)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractive margins and exceptional centering, fresh and crisp, Very Fine and choice, with 1999 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, attractively centered, intense shade, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,600.00)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Wide margins and nicely centered, intense shade on white paper, oval registry cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $950.00)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Wide margins, strong intense color, circular datestamp, Very Fine
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, handsome margins and uncommonly well-centered, strong color and without any of the oxidation quite often seen on this top valueEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF 90; SMQ $3,550.00)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, better than usual centering, Very Fine, with 1990 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Incredibly well-centered, deep rich color, oval registry cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate