Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1893 Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
1c Columbian (230). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression, wide margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $300.00)
2c Columbian (231). Mint N.H., rich color, detailed impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2015 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; SMQ $1,250.00)
3c Columbian (232). Mint N.H., deep shade, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $675.00)
3c Columbian (232). Original gum, very lightly hinged, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo margins, brilliant color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 100, SMQ $1,000.00 as 100), the highest grade possible and the only hinged example to achieve this grade, for Mint N.H. two have achieved this grade, the last one brought $15,000 hammer in 2019 so this is an excellent way to obtain one with matching centering and margins for a lower price
4c Columbian (233). Mint N.H., rich color, wide and balanced margins, fresh and Extremely Fine Gem, with 1991 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00)
5c Columbian (234). Mint N.H., outstanding balanced margins, deep rich color on post-office fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp, with 2007 P.S.E. (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00) and 2017 P.F. certificates
6c Columbian (235). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impression, wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00)
6c Red Violet, Columbian (235a). Mint N.H., beautiful rich color on bright paper, detailed impression, beautifully centered, Extremely Fine, a superb example of this shade variety of the 6c Columbian, with 2000 P.F. certificate
8c Columbian (236). Mint N.H., choice centering with Jumbo margins, vivid color on fresh paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2011 P.S.E. (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; SMQ $2,500.00) and 2017 P.F. certificates
10c Columbian (237). Mint N.H., crisp shade and impression, almost perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,750.00)
15c Columbian (238). Mint N.H., wonderfully well-centered, stunning proof-like color and impression on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ESPECIALLY HANDSOME MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT COLUMBIAN.
With 1989 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $5,250.00)
30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., lovely deep shade on bright paper, wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2003 P.F. and 2014 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,400.00)
50c Columbian (240). Original gum, single hinge mark, deep rich color and proof-like impression, Jumbo margins and essentially perfect centeringEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 50-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
With 2017 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $5,250.00). Only three original gum stamps grade higher (one hinged at 100J and one hinged and Mint N.H. at 100) and only two others shares this lofty grade (also hinged)
$1.00 Columbian (241). Original gum, lightly hinged, rich color, gorgeous centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
The $1.00 is difficult to obtain in such superb condition; the margins are usually small. With 1995 P.F. and 2016 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,750.00). Only two grade higher (at 98), and for Mint N.H. none grade higher
$1.00 Columbian (241). Brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, detailed impression, well-struck New York oval registry cancel, phenomenal centering with well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH IS A VERY DIFFICULT STAMP TO OBTAIN IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION
Ex "Natalee Grace". With 1995 and 2012 P.F. certificates. With 2019 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $2,600.00). Only one grades higher (at 95J)
$2.00 Columbian (242). Original gum, lightly hinged, incredibly well-centered with choice margins, magnificent rich color and detailed impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
The $2.00 Columbian Issue is notorious for being one of the most difficult denominations to obtain with choice centering or with wide margins.
With 1991 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $9,250.00). Only one grades higher (at 100) and one other shares this grade. In the Mint N.H. category, only one has achieved this grade with none higher.
$2.00 Columbian (242). Brilliant color and crisp impression, unusually wide and balanced margins, neat strike of purple New York registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $3,250.00). Only four grade higher
$3.00 Columbian (243). Original gum, hinge marks top half, perfectly centered with Jumbo margins, deep rich color and proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. A TRUE RARITY.
The $3.00 Columbian is one of the most difficult of the dollar values to obtain in such choice condition. Only 24,713 were issued, which is approximately half the number of the $1.00 and $2.00. The margins are generally narrow on this denomination. The stamp offered here is the exception to the rule. It is beautifully centered, and the color and paper are bright and fresh.
Ex Merlin. With 2019 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates (OGh, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $11,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. The highest grade awarded to a Mint N.H. example is 95.
$4.00 Columbian (244). Original gum, lightly hinged, brilliant color, near mathematically perfect centering on fresh paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIHGEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CONDITION CATEGORY.
The $4.00 Columbian, depicting "Isabella--Columbus," is based on an unknown portrait of Queen Isabella and a portrait of Columbus from a painting by Lorenzo Lotto. The vignette was engraved by Alfred Jones and the frame and lettering by George H. Seymour. 26,350 stamps were printed from Plate 107, and according to Luff 3,357 were destroyed.
With 2013 P.F. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $13,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a $4.00 Columbian in any condition category, and it is shared by only one other (offered in our 2010 Rarities sale). The highest Mint N.H. grade is 95
$4.00 Columbian (244). Intense shade on bright paper, outstanding centering with wide and balanced margins, unusually light registry oval cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SENSATIONAL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $4.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. -- ONLY TWO GRADE HIGHER.
Ex Helton. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00). Only two grade higher (at 95J and 98).
$5.00 Columbian (245). Original gum, intense shade and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE.
With 2011 P.S.E. (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,500.00) and 2017 P.F. certificates
$5.00 Columbian (245). Exceptional centering with wide and balanced margins, intense shade on bright paper, face-free target cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. None of the denominations were issued to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 of the $5.00 were sold, and a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It has a face-free cancel and beautifully balanced margins.
With 1980 P.F., 2003 and 2015 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $6,750.00). Only two examples grade higher (both 98, one ex "Natalee Grace" and the other offered in Sale 1140, Lot 638).