Sale 1014 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 12-14 October, 2011
Category — 5c-15c 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 234-238)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., intense shade and detailed impression, perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT COLUMBIAN, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98; SMQ $3,500.00). Only six have graded higher to date.
5c Columbian (234). Bottom right imprint, letter "B" and plate no. 9 block of ten, Mint N.H. except some perfs strengthened at left between selvage and pos. 1 and 6, fresh and crisp, rich color, mixed centering, about Fine, Scott Retail as hinged plate block of eight and two Mint N.H. singles
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H. block of four, rich color, attractive margins, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. with part imprint selvage at bottom, rich color and detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,200.00)
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 104 block of six, deep rich color, wide margins and choice centering throughout EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE 6-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 1990 P.F. certificate
6c Columbian (235). Bottom imprint, letter "Z" and plate no. 104 block of eight, original gum, barely hinged, brilliant color, few expertly rejoined perf separations, appears Extremely Fine
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., bright color and proof-like impression, outstanding centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 8-CENT COLUMBIAN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,500.00). Only three have graded higher to date and only five others share this grade
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and nearly perfectly centered, intense color on bright crisp paper, Extremely Fine Gem, stunning appearance, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $1,450.00 as 95, $6,500.00 as 98)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., marvelous centering, vivid color and sharp impression, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,450.00)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H. top imprint, "II" and plate no. 132 strip of four, fresh, rich color, tiny natural inking flaw on pos. 4, pos. 2 with small surface scuff, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as four Mint N.H. singles (hinged strip of four $375.00)
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H. bottom imprint and plate no. 133 block of eight, rich color and proof-like impression, few trivial perf separations at right, Very Fine, an attractive plate block
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H. top imprint, letter "I I" and plate no. block of eight, bright color, center left stamps vertical crease and internal perf separations, otherwise Fine
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H. bottom left imprint, letter "II" and plate no. 129 block of ten, deep rich color, some separation between pos. 3 and 4 and 4 and 5, couple selvage creases well below imprint and plate no., otherwise Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as plate block of eight plus two singles (Scott Retail as ten Mint N.H. singles $1,800.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H. deep rich color and proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The 10c is extremely difficult to find with wide and centered margins. For some reason, it can be found with wide margins at sides but almost never is seen this way at top and bottom. It is easily one of the most difficult of the non-dollar value Columbians to find in this superb Mint N.H. condition.
With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $6,000.00). Only two have graded higher to date (both at 98J) and only four others share this grade. Since 2007 the population statistics have barely changed -- there were two higher (same as today's statistic) and two others sharing the grade (only two added since then).
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., wide beautifully balanced margins, detailed impression on bright white paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,750.00)
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., fresh and crisp, sharp impression, Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate for block of four
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, wide balanced margins, Extremely Fine
10c Columbian (237). Block of four, bottom left minor h.r., bottom right faintly hinged, top pair Mint N.H., exceptional centering and strong color, Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as two hinged and two Mint N.H. singles
10c Columbian (237). Block of four, stamps Mint N.H. but with a few reinforced perf separations between two left stamps and at center, detailed impression, attractive margins and centering, Very Fine, Scott Retail as hinged block
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., deep rich color and detailed impression, perfectly centered, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98.
Along with the 10c value, this is among the couple most difficult of the non-dollar value Columbians to find in superb Mint N.H. condition.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $13,000.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98J) and only five others share this grade
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, natural gum creases, Very Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate
15c Columbian (238). Faint trace of hinging, deep rich color, gorgeous wide margins and choice centering, Extremely Fine
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H. block of four, vivid color on fresh paper, full to wide margins, few natural gum creases, unusual printing flaw in right "15" of bottom right stamp, overall fresh and Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H. block of four, nicely centered, pretty color, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as four Mint N.H. singles
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H. block of four, fresh with beautiful color, bottom left stamp inconsequential perf dimple, Fine-Very Fine, the top left stamp with wide margins and Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as four Mint N.H. singles