Sale 982 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 16-18 December, 2009
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue (Scott 285-293)
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H. with wide imprint at top, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, rich color, detailed impression, long and full perforations all aroundEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $2,200.00). Only one has graded higher to date and only eleven others share this exalted grade.
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 590 selvage, balanced margins, outstanding color and impression, fresh and crisp, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $670.00)
1c Trans-Mississippi (285). Mint N.H. wide bottom imprint and plate no. 605 block of four, Fine-Very Fine
4c Trans-Mississippi (287). Mint N.H., beautifully centered with wide margins, bright color on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A LOVELY MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,850.00)
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 $2,850.00). Only four have graded higher to date
10c Trans-Mississippi (290). Block of four with reattached top imprint and plate no. 620 selvage, stamps original gum with bottom pair Mint N.H., well-centered with strong color and sharp impression, Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as two hinged and two Mint N.H. singles
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Original gum, nicely centered with attractive bright color, Very Fine
50c Trans-Mississippi (291). Wide margins and choice centering, detailed impression, light cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a gorgeous stamp, P.S.E. encapsulated (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, barely hinged, almost perfect centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,950.00). Only two hinged examples have graded higher to date (none in Mint N.H. condition have graded higher)
$1.00 Trans-Mississippi (292). Original gum, attractive margins and centering, clear impression, Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, F-VF 75; SMQ $540.00 as 70, $1,000.00 as 80)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, detailed impression showing every nuance of the engraving, post-office fresh paper, unusually choice centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
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.
P.S.E. encapsulated (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,600.00). Only one example has graded higher to date in the P.S.E. Population Report.
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, unusually wide and balanced margins, deep rich color without any oxidation as sometimes seen on this valueEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGh, XF 90; SMQ $2,700.00)
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, small h.r., nice margins and attractively centered, rich color, Very Fine, with 1971 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Original gum, lightly hinged, natural s.e. at left, strong color on fresh paper, Fine
$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (293). Block of four, original gum, nicely centered for this challenging issue, rich color, clear impressionFINE-VERY FINE BLOCK OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
In response to the demand for high-grade singles of the $2.00 Trans-Mississippi, almost all perfectly-centered blocks have been broken. This well-centered block is probably the best that survives.