Sale 1219 — The Edward Morton Collection of Outstanding Quality U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 8-9 April, 2020
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-263)
1c Ultramarine (246). Mint N.H., precise centering with beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.S.A.G. certificate (95 ogNH)
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Mint N.H., beautiful dark shade and proof-like impression, well-centered with wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I CARMINE LAKE.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,400.00). Only four grade higher
2c Carmine, Ty. I (250). Mint N.H., vivid color, nicely balanced margins, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2005 P.F. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H., gorgeous color, well-balanced margins on post office fresh paper, Extremely Fine, an exceedingly difficult stamp to find in centered Mint N.H. condition, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $1,700.00), only four Mint N.H. examples grade higher (highest is 95)
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., attractive centering and margins, bright color, Very Fine and choice, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $575.00)
3c Purple (253). Mint N.H., wide margins, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2011 P.F. certificate
4c Dark Brown (254). Original gum, deep rich color, precise centering with balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $475.00)
5c Chocolate (255). Original gum, single hinge mark at top, outstanding centering and margins, rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $350.00)
6c Dull Brown (256). Original gum, outstanding centering with balanced margins, intense color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $575.00)
10c Dark Green (258). Mint N.H., well-centered, deep rich color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $2,750.00), only six grade higher (highest is 98)
15c Dark Blue (259). Original gum, lightly hinged, wide and beautifully balanced margins, intense shade on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,150.00), only four unused stamps in any gum condition grade higher
50c Orange (260). Mint N.H., vibrant color on bright paper, well-centered with nicely proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1993 P.F. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $2,200.00)
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, perfectly centered with enormous margins on all sides, intense shade and sharp proof-like impressionEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MASSIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 TYPE I UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE IS GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
Ex Merlin. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98 Jumbo; SMQ $8,900.00). This is the highest grade awarded to a hinged Scott 261 and it is shared by only one other. For Mint N.H., one grades 98J and one grades 100
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and proof-like impression on bright paper, gorgeous centering with unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $1.00 TYPE II UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED IN ANY CATEGORY.
With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Superb 98; SMQ $11,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded in any category and only one other shares this grade.
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, wide and beautifully balanced margins, rich color on bright paperEXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 1894 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2010 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
$5.00 Dark Green (263). Original gum, lightly hinged, choice margins and centering, magnificent deep rich color and clear impressionEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 $5.00 UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
The 1894 Unwatermarked issue was the first U.S. postage issue to be printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, after the contract with American Bank Note Co. expired. The first stamps printed by the Bureau are notoriously difficult to find well-centered, as production was marred by initial problems as they geared up to meet the needs of the public for stamps. The designs through the $1.00 repeated the 1890 ABN Co. issue, with the addition of corner triangles to distinguish the printings. The use of the same designs is another indication of the time pressure that may have caused some of the initial production problems. Perhaps the two most difficult denominations to find in superb condition are the $1.00 Type II (Scott 261A), and the $5.00 (Scott 263).
With 1995 P.F. and 2011 P.S.E. certificates