Sale 997 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 26-29 October, 2010
Category — 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Special Printing (Scott 168-175)
1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as almost always but leaving intact perfs on three sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 167 contain 44 certified examples. Of these, fewer than ten have perforations all around (including two with either imprint or plate no. at bottom). Very few are centered as well as this stamp.
Unpublished Census No. 167-UNC-25. Ex Hetherington, Caspary, Bayou and Laila. With 1957 and 2002 P.F. certificates
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (170). Without gum as issued, scissors-separated as usual but leaving full perforations on all sides, beautiful centering, radiant color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 6-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES CONTAINED IN OUR RECORDS.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 170 contain 33 certified examples. Of these, approximately half have full perforations on all sides, including several which are faulty.
Unpublished Census No. 170-UNC-17. Ex T. Charlton Henry and Laila. With 1975 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
10c Pale Brown, Special Printing (172). Without gum as issued, usual scissors-separation but three-quarters of the perforations are intact, bright color, nearly perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE 10-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING OF THE APPROXIMATELY 40 BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 172 contain 36 certified examples. A majority of these have been scissors-separated into the perforations on at least one side. Of the eleven copies with full perforations, most have either pulled perforations or are not centered. This stamp has nearly complete perfs and is extremely well-centered.
Unpublished Census No. 172-UNC-32. Ex Hansen. "W.H.C." backstamp of Warren H. Colson. Pencil "RHW Co." and small owner's backstamp. With 1948, 1969 and 2008 P.F. certificates
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper, choice centering with unusually wide margins, scissors-separated as usual but leaving perfs on three sides and extra wide margin at bottomEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE WIDEST-MARGINED AND BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE.
Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 70 certified examples.
Unpublished Census No. 173-UNC-26. Ex Bayou and Laila. With 1970 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, rich color and proof-like impression, right perfs trimmed, intact perfs on other sidesFINE. A HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
With 1955 P.F. certificate
15c Bright Orange, Special Printing (174). Without gum as issued, vibrant color and sharp proof-like impression on bright white paper, scissors-separated as usual but leaving most perfs on three sides and wide margin at leftVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
#Our recently updated census records for Scott 174 contain 39 certified examples. Of these, an overwhelming majority have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. Only five or six have intact perforations, and of those perhaps half are faulty.
Unpublished Census No. 174-UNC-31. Ex Bayou and Laila. With 2002 P.F. certificate.
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, crisp impression on fresh paper, scissors-separated as unusual but with virtually intact perforations, unusually choice centeringVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Many examples of the Continental Bank Note special printings were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away. Our recently updated census records for Scott 176 contain 50 copies. Of these, only three or four have perforations on all four sides.
Unpublished Census No. 176-UNC-19. Ex Laila. With 1972 and 2000 P.F. certificates
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, bright color, expertly reperfed at rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1873 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our recent review of records at the Philatelic Foundation found only 44 certified examples of Scott 177.
Signed E. Stern and with 2000 P.S.E. certificate