Sale 1007 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 March, 2011
Category — 1894 Unwatermarked Bureau Issue (Scott 246-262)
2c Carmine Lake, Ty. I (249). Original gum, beautiful vivid color and proof-like impression, mathematically perfect centering with Jumbo marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF THE UNWATERMARKED 2-CENT TYPE I 1894 ISSUE IN THE CARMINE LAKE SHADE -- GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY P.S.E.
As collectors of the First Bureau Issue know, great difficulty was experienced in perforating the stamps, either due to poor equipment or improper operation. Choppy, ragged perfs and poor centering are so common on this issue that it is often possible to separate the 1894 unwatermarked stamps from the 1895 watermarked stamps by the appearance of the perforations alone. This example, with precise centering, Jumbo margins and perfectly formed perforations is an extreme condition rarity.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, Gem 100 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $1,050.00 as 98). This is the only hinged stamp to achieve this perfect grade in the P.S.E. Population Report, with only a single Mint N.H. example which realized $27,000 in our sale of the Alan Whitman collection. This is a wonderful opportunity for the collector who values perfection but does not mind a light hinge
2c Carmine, Ty. II (251). Mint N.H. top imprint and plate no. 133 strip of three with wide selvage, radiant color as fresh as the day it was printedVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER STRIP OF THREE OF THE 1894 2-CENT CARMINE TYPE II ON UNWATERMARKED PAPER.
With 2010 P.F. certificate for strip of eight.
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H. with top plate no. 152 selvage, exceptionally well-centered, vivid color with crisp impression, Extremely Fine, with 2005 P.F. certificate as imprint and plate no. strip of three and 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $910.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. III (252). Mint N.H., rich color, wide and balanced margins, minor natural gum bend, Extremely Fine
3c Purple (253). Bottom imprint and plate no. 107 block of six, original gum, lightly hinged in selvage below pos. 5, otherwise Mint N.H., uncharacteristically well-centered, crisp color and paper, Extremely Fine, a marvelous First Bureau plate block, with 2009 P.S.E. certificate
6c Dull Brown (256). Bottom imprint and plate no. 28 block of six, original gum, rich color and clean impression, separation and natural gum crease, otherwise about Fine
10c Dark Green (258). Original gum, barely hinged, gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a huge stamp
10c Dark Green (258). Original gum, lightly hinged, beautiful wide margins and vivid color, Extremely Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate (XF 90)
15c Dark Blue (259). Original gum, lightly hinged, nice centering and intense color, Very Fine and choice, with 2005 P.F. certificate
50c Orange (260). Mint N.H., exceptionally wide margins and choice centering, blazing orange color without any hint of oxidationEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULARLY FRESH MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1894 50-CENT UNWATERMARKED BUREAU ISSUE.
With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $3,850.00)
50c Orange (260). Bottom imprint and plate no. 75 strip of five, original gum, was Mint N.H. except the gum shows barest trace of disturbance from treatment to remove oxidation, otherwise Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Scott Retail as hinged pair and imprint and plate no. strip of three ($8,450.00 as Never Hinged )
$1.00 Black (261). Original gum, lightly hinged, detailed impression and well-proportioned margins, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, with 1991 P.F. certificate for pair
$1.00 Black (261). Handsomely centered, oval numeral grid cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $1,000.00)
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, deep shade on crisp white paper, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. and 2010 P.S.E. certificates
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, lightly hinged, exceptionally wide margins, deep shade, natural gum crease, otherwise Very Fine
$1.00 Black, Ty. II (261A). Original gum, h.r., couple trivial flaws, Fine appearance
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Original gum, single hinge mark, rich color, fresh and Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Beautifully centered, choice color on bright paper, double oval cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1994 and 2010 P.F. certificates (XF 90)
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Wide margins, attractive color, light double oval cancel, faint horizontal crease, otherwise Extremely Fine, with 2007 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Bright Blue (262). Rich color, bold duplex cancel, Very Fine, difficult to find in sound used condition, with 2007 P.F. certificate