Sale 1283 — Commemoratives, Featuring Morton Trans-Mississippi, Brody Jamestown and Haber 1909 Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 April, 2023
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue: Gem Quality $1.00 and $2.00
"Western Cattle in Storm" Engraving. 165 x 140mm, on heavy stock paper, showing die sinkage, depicting a herd of cattle seeking shelter from a storm, this depiction was based on the painting "The Vanguard" by Scotsman John A. MacWhirter and was used as the design for the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi -- postal officials had based the stamp engraving on an illustration from an advertising brochure and had failed to realize the cattle was not Western U.S., but from the Scottish Highlands -- Very Fine, an outstanding frontispiece to a Trans-Mississippi exhibit
"Western Cattle in Storm" Engraving. 237 x 185mm, on thick wove paper, showing die sinkage, depicting a herd of cattle seeking shelter from a storm, this depiction was based on the painting "The Vanguard" by Scotsman John A. MacWhirter and was used as the design for the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi -- postal officials had based the stamp engraving on an illustration from an advertising brochure and had failed to realize the cattle was not Western U.S., but from the Scottish Highlands -- Very Fine, an outstanding frontispiece to a Trans-Mississippi exhibit
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H. with top imprint selvage, 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. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE IMPRINT. THIS MAGNIFICENT STAMP IS GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. THIS IS ALSO THE COMPANION TO THE PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OFFERED IN THE FOLLOWING LOT.
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, and only four grade higher (at 98). We have offered two of the 98s and neither had printed selvage. This also originally formed a pair with plate number single offered in the following lot.
Ex "Scarsdale". With 1999, 2001 and 2021 P.F. certificates, the first as a pair. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $19,000.00). Only six other examples of this popular issue have achieved this grade and only four grade higher (all at 98, we have not offered any since 2016).
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 606 selvage, intense shade on bright paper, detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PLATE NUMBER -- THIS STAMP IS THE COMPANION TO THE FAMOUS "SCARSDALE" COPY WITH IMPRINT OFFERED IN THE PREVIOUS LOT.
The $1.00 Trans-Mississippi's long-time popularity with collectors led to hinging of the vast majority of singles. The stamp offered here originally formed a pair with the imprint single from the "Scarsdale" collection, graded XF-Superb 95 by P.S.E. and offered in the previous lot.
With copy of 1999 P.F. certificate for pair and with 2006, 2011 and 2021 P.F. certificates as this single (XF 90)
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression, beautiful centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 1980, 2002, 2017 and 2021 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (last two OGph, XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $5,750.00). Only five grade higher (four at 98 and one at 100). This is also the only unused stamp (OG or NH) to receive a Jumbo designation in 95 grade.
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Block of four, original gum, lightly hinged, crisp impression, choice centering throughoutVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL LIGHTLY HINGED ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
We are surprised this block has remained intact, given its superior quality. With 2021 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Deep shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, unobtrusive duplex cancel struck at upper right leaves entire design clearly visible, unusually choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WITH GORGEOUS CENTERING, DETAILED IMPRESSION, BRIGHT PAPER AND AN UNOBTRUSIVE CANCEL.
With 2016 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only four higher.
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 613 selvage, deep rich color, wonderful centering for this difficult top valueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE NUMBER SINGLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF 90 BY THE P.F.
The design of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi is based on the famed Eads Bridge that spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The river has long been considered the dividing line between East and West, and is a fitting theme for this issue.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This makes it difficult to fit the collecting criteria of most Gem-quality collectors. The stamp offered here, which is Mint Never-Hinged with choice centering and fresh color, is a true condition rarity. The plate number selvage adds to its desirability
With 1991 and 2021 P.F. certificates (XF 90). By way of comparison, P.S.E. has graded only four at 90, with only three higher (all 95). We have never offered a P.S.E.-graded 90 before and neither of the 95s we have offered had printed selvage.
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, barest trace of hinging, intense shade and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, perfectly centered with unusually wide margins for this difficult issue, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
The design of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi depicts the Eads bridge, which spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The original engraving was used on the admission ticket to the Republican Convention of 1896, which nominated McKinley as candidate for president. The stamp, issued during the McKinley Administration, illustrates the natural boundary between East and West and so was appropriate for the Trans-Mississippi issue.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
Ex Merlin. With 2008 and 2021 P.S.E. certificates (both OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $17,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded in any category and only two others share this rarified grade. For Mint N.H. the highest grade awarded is a 95.
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, single hinge mark at top, radiant color, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, rich colorEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY THE P.F.
The $2.00 Trans-Mississippi Issue is widely regarded as being the most difficult denomination of the series to obtain with any decent-size margins. The margins are almost always narrow on the $2.00, making it difficult for collectors of Gem-quality stamps to fill this space in their albums.
Ex Merlin and Bakwin. With 2006 and 2021 P.F. certificates (both XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, only three grade higher in the P.S.E. Population Report.
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Intense color as fresh as the day it was printed, bright paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with well-balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of circular datestamp cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP, WITH GORGEOUS COLOR, CHOICE CENTERING, UNOBTRUSIVE CANCEL AND OVERALL FRESHNESS, IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
The design of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi depicts the Eads bridge, which spans the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The original engraving was used on the admission ticket to the Republican Convention of 1896, which nominated William McKinley as candidate for president. The stamp, issued during the McKinley administration, illustrates the natural boundary between East and West and so was appropriate for the Trans-Mississippi issue.
All of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi stamps were printed in a single day's run on June 3, 1898. The $2.00 was printed in sheets that have narrower spacing between the horizontal rows than between the vertical columns. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to obtain stamps with top and bottom margins that equal the sides. This stamp essentially achieves that unnatural effect, which could only occur when the horizontal perforations were applied in such a way that the holes impinged on the space allocated to the rows above and below.
Brookman notes "the $2.00 is not easy to obtain well-centered as many of these stamps seem to be perforated close to the top and its color is such that it cancels rather badly. This combination makes fine used copies difficult to obtain. I consider it more difficult to obtain in choice used condition than any of the high values of the Columbian issue."
Ex Rubin, "Natalee Grace", Helton and Myerson. With 1997, 2009 and 2021 P.F. certificates. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $8,750.00). Only one grades higher (at 98, we have never offered it) and five others share this desirable grade.